TOURISM INDIA JUNE 2020

INCREDIBLE INDIA

WONDERFUL WORLD AIRLINES ONLINE TECHNOLOGY

JUNE 2020 VOL. 23 NO. 02 Pages 64

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COVID-19 DAYS

SAFE TRAVEL & NEW NORMAL TRUST IS THE NEW CURRENCY INDIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY IN SHOCK

SILENCE & STILLNESS

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Editor’s Note

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Turbulent times continues

he world slowly turns back to the new normal with social distancing and online activities but to avoid the import of COVID-19 virus, the international travel restrictions continue.

The impact of the pandemic Tourism industry is facing the biggest economic challenge all over the world while compared to 9/11, the 2009 Economic Depression, and World War II. When the virus outbreak happens all the cash inflows of the industry have completely frozen.

As an early estimate in the hotel and aviation sector alone 70-75 per cent of the business is compressed. It is difficult to access the full impact and, surely, it has a wide and deep ripple effect because of the widespread activities of the travel and tourism Industry 80 per cent of tourism industry holds by small and medium enterprises and another portion composed of the craftsmen, artisans, and artists in the cultural sector, and other service providers who depend on tourism for their daily existence.

Across the globe, Governments are marked tourism is their top priority and banking on tourism for their economic revival at the moment.

Many countries like the USA, UK, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, and Indonesia already have support measures through salary support and tax waiver for the Tourism industry to address the survival of large segments of the industry. If the reopening takes time, which it most likely would, then it should look at the overall recovery.

Organizations like FAITH, IATO, IATA, FHRAI, HAI,

ADTOI etc, have urged the Government to declare immediate survival measures to prevent mass bankruptcy and crores of unprecedented layoffs. Indian tourism Industry need support in the area of, credit guarantee, provision of liquidity, rationalization of GST, payroll support, tax reviews and easing of regulations inhibiting transport and tourism The repeated requests from Indian Tourism industry bodies regarding the set of survival measures for tourism were not addressed in the announced ₹20 lakh crore package. The final announcement of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package has put the Tourism Industry bodies into a state of shock.

For the economic revival of countries, all Governments across the globe are made financial packages on tourism. They are willing to take a risk through an opening of tourist destinations and kick-start tourism to make economies back on track because tourism contributes approximately 10 percent of the world’s GDP. Even though leading health experts have warned against the re-opening of tourist sites stating that the pandemic is ‘’far from over,’’ governments7are still willing to take the risk Domestic Travel and Tourism will not be in terms of generating foreign currency revenues, at least for the time being it will be the substitute for outbound tourism.

In these turbulent and uncertain times, yoga can help us to enhance health and focus to increase productivity which makes us feel happy and stress-free.

Stay safe and healthy and Travel Tomorrow.

Rajani A Editor JUNE March 2020 2020 TOURISM TourismINDIA India

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Contents JUNE 2020

VOL 23 NO 02

MANAGING EDITOR Ravisankar K V EDITOR Rajani A EXECUTIVE EDITOR Raadia Mukadam ASSOCIATE EDITOR G. Ajithkumar ART EDITOR N Bhattathiri DIRECTOR - DESIGNS Anand Sankar PHOTOGRAPHERS Vivek R. Nair, Murukesh Iyer

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TOURISM INDUSTRY SLAMS STIMULUS PACKAGE

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TRUST IS THE NEW CURRENCY

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UNWTO LAUNCHES GLOBAL GUIDELINES TO REOPEN TOURISM

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WTTC outlines what “the new normal” will look like as we start to travel

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PATA announces release of 39 destination specific forecast reports

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WTTC launches Together In Travel campaign

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Business activities significantly hit; recovery may take more than a year

BUSINESS & EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES

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EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICE TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD A-29, KUMARA VILAS, ELANKOM GARDENS, VELLAYAMBALAM, SASTHAMANGALAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM, KERALA, INDIA 695010 TEL: +91 471 2315256 MOB: 9947160531 CONTACT US Editorial Enquiries editor@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9847060531 Advertisement Enquiries marketing@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9745598126 Circulation & Subscription Enquiries circulation@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9947160531 Online Edition www.tourismindia.org www.tourismindiaonline.com Digital Edition: https://issue.com/tourismindia No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD. All rights reserved Copyright @2020 Printed and Published by Ravisankar K V on behalf of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD, A-29, Kumara Vilas, Elankom Gardens, Vellayambalam, Sasthamangalam P.O., Trivandrum 695010 at Aarsha Offset Graphix, Mettukkada, Thycaud.P.O., Trivandrum- 695014 Editor: Rajani A

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26 30 34

WTTC unveils “Safe Travels WTTC launches Safe Travels protocols for aviation, airports, MICE and tour operators How the sinking Cruise industry can stay afloat amidst the Stigma Challenge

Contents 36

ITDC Commences Preparations For ReOpening of its Hotels

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Governments + Private Sector >> #travelrecovery

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VISTARA OPENS DOMESTIC FLIGHT BOOKINGS

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IndiGo supports IMD with weather forecasting data

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104 Russian Tourists Stranded In India Fly Home

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Emirates sets multi-faceted safety as it resumes operations

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Qatar Airways To Introduce Safety Measures Onboard For Passengers

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Ward off Corona virus Blues with Stunning Coastal

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GREGG CAREN APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT & CEO OF PHILADELPHIA

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Accor launches the Cleanliness & Prevention ALLSAFE label

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Yoga at Home & Yoga with Family

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WebCargo and IBS Software announce Partnership

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AIRLINE NEWS / NATIONAL NEWS

TOURISM INDUSTRY SLAMS STIMULUS PACKAGE Indian Tourism and hospitality industry express shock and disappointment for its exclusion under Rs 20 lakh crore Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package; Industry associations say the government has failed to address their concerns.

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ourism is a people-intensive business and the human impact is unprecedented in its survival and growth. Indian Tourism Industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors, contributing 10% of the country’s GDP and employs 43 million people – which is 8% of all jobs in the country. On account of COVID-19, statistics show that in the hospitality sector in India there could be a potential loss of 5-7 million jobs. Indian Travel and Tourism industry which sized the US $247 billion as per the 201819 data could see a short-term fall.

The lockdown hardly hit the most in terms of air borders being sealed

by India and no foreign or domestic travel is permitted by air, rail, road, and waterways. The Travel tourism hospitality and aviation Industry had survived on it and seek assistance from the government for the new start.

The various travel and hospitality industry associations in India including FAITH, IATO, TAAI, IAAI, FHRAI and it’s leaders have expressed their shock and disappoints after the last and final tranche of relief and

Mr. Nakul Anand, Chairman , FAITH reform package announcement of Finance Minister Ms Nirmala SItaraman in connection with Prime minister Mr Narendra Modi’s much-hyped Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package, despite the repeated requests from various trade bodies and the role of this sector and as a critical contributor to India’s GDP and foreign exchange earnings.

The entire tourism industry feels that government has totally ignored its pleas for assistance for the survival and existence of the travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors due to the ill effects of lockdown and Cobvid 19 pandemic. Industry leaders pointed out that Ms Nirmala SItaraman failed to mention the role of travel and tourism sector and strongly believes that an unprecedented wave of layoffs could soon start in the industry in the absence of any immediate bailout and assistance.

FAITH, the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality, the policy federation of all the national associations representing the complete tourism, travel and hospitality industry of India (ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI), which had raised several requests over the past few weeks to the prime minister, EG-6, finance, commerce and aviation ministries and was working in coordination with the tourism ministry said its 10 weeks of constant discussions have come to a nought and the industry was in a state of shock and disbelief.

According to Mr Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH, the Indian tourism industry has gone into a state of disbelief and shock after the final announcement of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package. The Indian Tourism industry was looking forward to a deep set of survival measures for tourism from the ₹ 20 lakh crore package announced over 5 days, which however were not addressed.

Mr Pronab Sarkar, President, Indian Associations of Tour Operators (IATO) has also expressed his shock and disappointment. He added that IATO and its entire member’s community have been completely disappointed by the central government’s lack of empathy for the suffering of the travel and tourism sector in our country, despite

The Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry11in India which contributes more than 10% of National Gross Domestic Products has come to a screeching halt due to lockdown since March 2020 leading to massive loss of revenues, jobs as well as cash flows across online and offline travel operators and hospitality players across the country

Mr. Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO the prime minister mentioning tourism in all his speeches. This sector, directly and indirectly, employs about 4 crores people yet there is not a single word of solace for the sector in the entire five press conferences held by Ms Nirmala Siataraman, Union Minister of Finance.

“The tourism industry has borne the maximum brunt of this pandemic and industry of the size of Rs.18 lakh crore is on the brink of collapse. The tourism industry was the first, which was affected even before the lockdown in the month of February, when international flights and visas got cancelled starting with China, followed by Italy, Iran, Korea and then followed by all the countries.

“The neighbouring countries are already ahead of us in these measures and as and when inbound tourism starts we shall go down further in the wish list of travellers. Lack of any mitigating announcement by the finance JUNE 2020 TOURISM INDIA

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NEWS / NATIONAL

Ms. Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI minister in the series of announcements made only goes to show that the government considers the entire sector not worthy of any attention,” he added.

Ms Jyoti Mayal, President, Travel Agents Association of India said, “We are not only in despair but also in a state of shock. The trade was so confident that under the leadership of Modi ji, we would be nurtured and protected. The Honourable Prime Minister had directed not to retrench staff and to pay full salaries. We blindly followed his instructions in spite of our incomes being ZERO. There was an assurance of support to all citizens and all organisations during these times. This announcement has completely dejected our member travel agents and tour operators.

The feeling that the Govt has aban12

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doned our sector which is one of the largest revenue earners in the country, be it Income Tax, GST, Foreign Exchange earning etc. Ours is a service sector and we promote travel and tourism across the world with a focus on India.

Capt. Swadesh Kumar, President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India said “ The entire tourism industry stakeholders and its associations are in shock and numb and we do not know which direction we should move and what is next. ATOAI and our members were anxiously waiting for a major relief package from Finance Minister and some financial benefits to save our industry in the current situation, but to our total dismay, no such packages or announcements have come to support the ailing tourism and adventure travel segments in India.

“This adventure and activity-based tourism providers are scattered across the country, even in small towns like Wayanad in Kerala or Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh, where peoMr. E.M Najeeb, Sr. VP, IATO & President, CKTI

Capt. Swadesh Kumar, President, ATOAI ple completely depend on adventure tourism activities for their livelihood.

Another example is Leh and Ladakh in Kashmir Himalayan region, there are more than 5000 taxis and more than 3000 motorbikes which are presently vacant and waiting for the business to restart.

We are expecting a minimum of six months to restart the operations and business until the grass root level workers need support for their mere survival and existence. Now we are totally dejected and in an uncertain position to take any further step to move forward and restart our business.

According to Mr E.M Najeeb, Sr. Vice President, IATO and President, Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry, Travel and tourism sector is the first affected sector due to COVID 19 travel restrictions and the most affected sector so far. And probably this sector will be the last revived sector from the Corona Virus’s ill effects and will take the most time to revive due to the

pandemic flare-up fear.

Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) has expressed their displeasure for completely excluding from any kind of relief for the sectors that contribute close to 10 per cent of the country’s GDP and called for the government to immediately action a stimulus package for avoiding unfathomable consequences of failing the industry.

According to Mr Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) and Vice President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) , “The entire hospitality industry in India is in a state of shock and despair and feels totally dejected and thrashed by our won government

Mr. Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India

in a deep crisis situation like COVID 19 pandemic. We have never expected an insensitivity approach like this from Finance Minister and as always, the hospitality industry has been completely ignored by the authority.

Mr Aashish Gupta, CEO of FAITH said, “The direct and indirect economic contribution of the tourism industry in India which includes airlines, hotels and others is estimated at about 10% of India’s GDP. No cash flow is expected for many quarters over FY20-21 for key segments like international inbound and outbound travel. What will companies do? We are now looking at large scale bankruptcies and job losses across cities and towns”.

There is no cash inflow expected for many quarters as the key segments

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NEWS / NATIONAL

Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, President, Hotel Association of India of the Indian tourism economy - the international inbound tourists, inbound and VFR - (visiting friends and relatives) and the outbound travel will remain mostly nonperforming due to international flight restrictions & tragic impact in most key markets tourism markets of India.

To prevent this and to ensure survival, FAITH had proposed a dedicated interest and collateral-free long term

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fund for paying salaries & operating costs and for minimum 12 months complete waiver of fixed central & state statutory and banking liabilities without any penal or compounding interest which have not been addressed.

Last month Mr Puneet Chhatwal, ( MD & CEO of Indian Hotel Company) and President, Hotel Association of India, wrote to Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister seeking a relief

package. It pointed out that the country’s travel and hospitality industry is staring at a revenue loss of 5 trillion rupees ($66 billion) over the next year while 35-40 million jobs, both direct and indirect, are in jeopardy.

Mr Puneet Chhatwal, said, “India like many other countries has imposed a total shutdown of air traffic, both domestic and international. The lockdown is preventing movement of people till May end. Re-opening of air travel will have a phased approach. In India, we have a very strong domestic tourism market, over 87%, a key factor in the industry’s recovery.

TAAI has submitted a fresh memorandum to all the ministries and said that to prevent the trade from collapsing completely and it’s travel agent and tour operator members from winding up their business, which will result in mass unemployment, requested to consider their appeal on a war footing and ensure the same is considered in totality.

Through an appeal to Ministry of Civil Aviation by Tourism Industry bodies, the bare minimum requirements for immediate survival are Refunds of cancellations with waivers and ad-

Indian tourism travel and hospitality are said to impact 10-12% of India’s employment which is believed to cover almost 5 crores + direct and indirect jobs. The industry has gone numb from a lack of any umbrella direction from the Government or without any fiscal & monetary support. vances of travel agents & tour operators from all Airlines / IATA (especially National Carrier-Air India are not waiving of cancellation charges and are not refunding monies back to the agents/ customers.) Float account advance balance of Low-Cost airlines are not being returned to agents. Customers are demanding cash refunds and no credit vouchers as given by most air-

lines.

The appeal to Ministry of Tourism & Ministry of Finance seeks Support Fund/contribution majorly for Salaries and establishment costs including electricity for next 6months minimum, minimum salary contribution by the Govt to the tune of 33.33%, Complete waiver of statutory liabilities for the next 12 months like GST, Instant Income Tax Holiday effective FY 201920 for up to March 2021.

In the appeal to Ministry of Finance / Niti Aayog / RBI, Industry seeks Enhancement of Working Capital Limits/ Overdrafts at interest-free rates for at least 12 months without co-lateral, Immediate reduction in credit card charges by banks on merchant establishments on POS as well as web gateways to below 0.75%.

The proposed MSME fund with its many underlying reductions may have a very restrictive or limited usage.

Domestic travel and corporate travel within the country may slightly ease up post lockdown but

will be highly restricted due to fear of travel among elders & children, social distancing norms, corporate travel freeze and the closure of the holiday season impacting all adventure, heritage, spiritual, cruise and niche tourism segments. The meetings incentives exhibitions & events segment will be severely impacted due to size restrictions. Consequently, all tourism Service providers, the hotels, travel agents, tour operators, tourist transporters, restaurants, guides will be compromised and the tourism industry of India will be operating with extreme under capacities making most businesses unviable on a cash operating basis.

Mr. Aashish Gupta, CEO of FAITH

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NEWS/ GLOBAL TRAVEL

TRUST IS THE NEW CURRENCY

Depending on when and where travel restrictions are lifted, international tourist numbers could fall between 60 and 80% this year.

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The world gets moving again – once it is safe to do so.

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he global tourism decline has already taken a toll on national economies, people’s livelihoods, and on our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Without a strong and vital tourism sector, many millions of jobs and small businesses are at risk.

UNWTO has been calling for concrete steps which put words of support into action.

This week, we have been encouraged by the action plan set out by the European Union to relaunch tourism in a timely, responsible and

coordinated manner.

The lifting of travel restrictions, first within nations and then across international borders, will allow the many social and economic benefits tourism brings to return not just in Europe but around the world.

The coordinated rolling out of new health and safety protocols for every part of the tourism value chain – including travel, accommodation, food and leisure – will make it safer to travel.

Trust is the new currency of

our ‘new normal’ and tourism is ideally positioned to be the vehicle to channel trust.

If people trust in governments and in the tourism sector to keep them safe from harm, they will indeed travel tomorrow.

As the ultimate personto-person sector, and one that promotes solidarity and friendship, tourism will play a key role in spreading trust more widely, with benefits traveling far beyond tourism itself. Only this way can we drive our economies back towards growth and start rebuilding our societies.

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NEWS / GLOBAL TRENDS

UNWTO LAUNCHES GLOBAL GUIDELINES T TO REOPEN TOURISM

UNWTO formed the Global Tourism Crisis Committee to guide the sector to build the foundations for future resilience and sustainable growth.

he World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a set of guidelines to help the tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainably from COVID-19. The guidelines highlight the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and, UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google, to

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embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism.

The guidelines were produced in consultation with the Global Tourism Crisis Committee and aim to support governments and the private sector to recover from an unparalleled crisis. Depending on when travel restrictions are lifted, the United Nations specialized agency warns that international tourist arrivals could fall by between 60% and 80%. This puts 100120 million jobs at risk and could lead to US$ 910 billion to US$ 1.2 trillion lost in exports.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “These guidelines provide both governments and businesses with a comprehensive set of measures designed to help them open tourism up again in a safe, seamless and responsible manner. They are the product of the enhanced cooperation that has characterized tourism’s response to this shared challenge, building on knowledge and inputs from across the public and private sectors and from several UN agencies as part of the UN’s wider response.”

Safe and security protocols for tourism recovery The new guide, a follow up of the Recommendations for Action already endorsed by the Committee, is focused on seven priorities for tourism recovery based on the pillars of mitigating the economic impact, developing safety protocols and coordinated responses, and fostering innovation.

The Committee comprises representatives of UNWTO’s Member States and Affiliate Members, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Bank Group and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The private sector is represented

by Airports Council International (ACI), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and World Travel19and Tourism Council (WTTC) to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

The guidelines highlight the importance of restoring the confidence of travelers through safety and security protocols designed

to reduce risks in each step of the tourism value chain. These protocols include the implementation of check procedures where appropriate, including temperature scans, testing, physical distancing, enhanced frequency of cleaning, and the provision of hygiene kits for safe air travel, hospitality services, or safe events.

Innovation key as UNWTO builds on Google partnership The UNWTO Guidelines also highlight the opportunity to foster a digital transformation of destinations, companies, and employees with initiatives such as the free online training with the UNWTO Online Academy and the implementation of apps such as the Hi Card to improve international interoperability at the airports and hotels. The role of technology in promoting social distancing in hotels and tourist destinations is also highlighted.

This comes as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google.

Through this enhanced collaboration, the UN agency will work with Google to promote digital learning and online skills training to provide new opportunities across the global tourism sector.

Secretary-General Pololikashvili added: “We are thrilled to be working more closely with Google. The past weeks have highlighted the enhanced role technology plays in our lives and furthering the digital transformation of tourism will make the sector more resilient and create opportunities for people all around the world.”

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NEWS/ GLOBAL TRAVEL

WTTC

OUTLINES WHAT “THE NEW NORMAL” WILL LOOK LIKE AS WE START TO TRAVEL

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he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has outlined what the “new normal” will look like as countries begin to end their COVID-19 lockdowns and ease travel restrictions.

“Travelling in the New Normal” is part of WTTC’s plan which includes critical steps and coordinated actions, including new standards and protocols, which offer a safe and responsible road to recovery for the global Travel & Tourism sector as consumers start planning trips again.

For the last few weeks, WTTC, 20

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which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, has been marshalling the efforts of the private sector, sharing best practices from different regions around the world to work on the path forward.

Public-private collaboration between business and governments is vital to develop new health protocols which will form the travel experience and also provide people with strong reassurances when travelling.

WTTC says the sector will face a gradual return to travel over the coming months as a “new normal”

Sharing best practices from different regions around the world to work on the path forward.

Ms. Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC,

emerges before a vaccine becomes available on a mass scale, large enough to inoculate billions of people.

Travel is likely to return first to domestic markets with staycations; then to a country’s nearest neighbours before expanding across regions, and then finally across continents to welcome the return of journeys to long-haul international destinations.

WTTC believes younger travellers in the 18-35 age group, who appear to be less vulnerable to COVID-19, may also be among the first to begin

travelling once again.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “It is vital for the survival of the Travel & Tourism sector that we work together and map out the road to recovery, through coordinated actions, and offer the reassurance people need to begin travelling once again.

“We have learned from past experiences that when the protocols from private sector are taken into account and we have a coordinated approach the recovery timeframe is significantly reduced, so the privatepublic sector collaboration is crucial.

“We should avoid new, unnecessary procedures that create bottle necks and slow down the recovery. However, a quick and effective restart of travel will only happen if governments around the world agree to a common set of health protocols developed by the private sector, such as those we’ve outlined.

“These must provide the reassurance travellers and authorities need, using new technology, to offer hasslefree, pre-vaccine ‘new normal’ travel in the short term.” The new protocols and standards are being defined following feedback and multiple conversations with WTTC Members, as well collaboration from associations who represent the different travel sectors.

This includes the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Airport Council International (ACI), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), United States Travel Association (USTA), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), International Civil

Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Travel Commission (ETC) and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

IATA, ACI and ICAO are pooling their crucial expertise and are working closely to define the best protocols to keep travellers and employees safe to enable the aviation sector to recover. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health experts have also contributed by providing their experience from various global medical crises.

To offer world-class cleanliness, improved hygiene standards and ensure guest safety, hotels are developing protocols based on learnings from offering free rooms to frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

There will be new protocols for check-in involving digital technology; hand sanitiser stations at frequent points including where luggage is stored; contactless payment instead of cash; using stairs more often than lifts where the 2 meter rule can be harder to maintain; and fitness equipment being moved for greater separation among other examples.

Cruise operators will take further measures to ensure ships are free 21 of COVID-19 including staff wearing gloves at all times which are then frequently changed; and more frequent room cleaning.

Travellers at airports will find themselves tested before they fly and upon arrival at their destination airport. They can expect to see social distancing measures at the airport and during boarding, as well as wearing masks while onboard.

Aircraft will also be subject to intensive cleansing regimes. These measures will be combined with contact-tracing, via mobile app, that will allow flights to leave airports COVID-19-free.

The protocols, which have been developed using experience from China’s initial recovery and from new successful standards used by retailers, will be fully announced in the next two weeks and shared with governments globally, so there is a coordinated approach to travelling within the COVID-19 world.

There are positive signs of the first green shoots of recovery. Research by travel data and analytics expert Cirium shows that over 30% of domestic capacity has returned to the Chinese aviation market in the last two months.

Domestic flights have also resumed in some countries, such as in Vietnam between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with Vietnam recording relatively few coronavirus fatalities.

To speed up the global recovery WTTC continues to work closely with the G20, EU, international organisations and governments around the world to help translate the new protocols into easily adopted public policies by each country while adhering to common global standards.

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NEWS/ GLOBAL TRENDS

PATA

ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF

39

DESTINATION SPECIFIC FORECAST REPORTS

F

ollowing last month’s successful release of the “Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2020-2024”, complete with updates in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the PATA since the second issue of a suite of 39 destination-specific reports for the period 2020-2024, sponsored by Visa. Each report builds on the regional forecast by delving deeper into the changing dynamics of travel and tourism, in and across the Asia Pacific region at the single destination level. The reports also include additional data and insights from Euromonitor International.

Each of the 39 reports covers a specific destination in Asia Pacific and individually forecasts: Annual visitor arrivals into each destination, by source market, Annual arrivals from the destination across other Asia Pacific destinations, Aggregate visitor receipts, where data availability allows.

In addition, each report estimates the income and price elasticities of tourism demand, highlights some key visitor trends over the forecast period and analyses scheduled inbound flights and seats.

Each factor describes and details how demand preferences are shifting across the Asia Pacific region.

Scheduled inbound international air seat capacity for example, shifts relatively quickly according to demand, so understanding where these shifts are occurring

Each of the 39 reports covers a specific destination in Asia Pacific and individually forecasts: 22

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for the almost 1.2 billion inbound air seats scheduled for Asia Pacific destinations in 2019 (1), is a useful barometer of potential demand that can translate into increased arrivals.

Obviously, with the closure of many international borders as well as airports and the grounding of many commercial aircraft – entire fleets in some cases – these capacity figures are undergoing dramatic changes. Even so, they will most likely rebound slightly ahead of visitor numbers and should be monitored to see when and where such capacity begins to expand.

It could be reasonably expected that intra-regional air capacity will be the first to show substantive growth during the early stages of recovery, so here the growth in capacity between regional origins and destinations, for both Legacy and Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs), will be a significant indicator to track.

Similarly, for the elasticity’s of both income and prices, where

for example the sensitivity of a particular inbound market to price changes in a destination may hold strategic value in determining pricebased programmes for that inbound market. Income sensitivity also shows how markets may react to changes in their own relative incomes and again provides a metric worth valuing in better understanding a potential source market. Such indicators will be extremely useful in understanding the competitive position of destinations as they pursue recovering source markets in the near future.

“We are a heavily data-driven world and it is a focus on hard data that will offer a significant advantage to those destinations that best identify and cater to those source markets that first begin to travel again once this current pandemic is brought under control,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “Budgets are likely to be very tight in the near-term, so a strong alignment

of activity directed toward those source markets with the strongest potential for conversion to travel, will be essential. Knowing those markets and when they are likely to rebound with travel will be critical in delivering cost-effective results.

The income and price elasticities as shown for many source markets will be an important factor in this regard.

“This updated series of destination reports from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre is designed to present insights into the everpresent shifts and changes that occur in the travel and tourism sector in such a way that strategic actions can be better facilitated. This is particularly so when faced, as we are now, with the severe limitations to international tourism growth, brought on by COVD-19. There will be a recovery, of that we are sure – how and when that is likely to begin is one of the functions of these reports and is one that is well served by the ‘Asia Pacific Destination Forecasts 2020-2024’,” he added.

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NEWS/ GLOBAL TRAVEL

WTTC

LAUNCHES TOGETHER IN TRAVEL CAMPAIGN “Dreaming is part of our zest for life and our new campaign encourages thoughts of the brighter days ahead”.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC.

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he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has s launched a new marketing campaign, #TogetherInTravel, aimed at galvanizing the global travel and tourism community and showing how the sector is a vital part of our zest for life.

The campaign encourages travellers from around the world to share the hashtag #TogetherInTravel along with a video simultaneously uniting everyone in solidarity at the same moment.

The marketing campaign comprises three key elements; a highly visual and emotive video;

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#TOGETHERIN TRAVEL a hashtag, #TogetherInTravel, to stimulate the conversation across social platforms and a microsite, TogetherInTravel.com, to host the video and user generated content and stories.

WTTC has developed the campaign in conjunction with one of its Members, marketing and communications firm MMGY Hills Balfour.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, added: “Dreaming is part of our zest for life and our new campaign encourages thoughts of the brighter days ahead. Travel & Tourism is a critical sector to the global economy, accounting for one in four of all new jobs worldwide and contributing 10.3% to GDP. “Our sector touches everyone. It builds communities, reduces poverty in the world and improves the social impact of everyday lives. Yet we are uniquely exposed at this time due to Covid-19.

“The concept for the #TogetherInTravel campaign was borne out of a desire to rally everyone who is passionate about travel, to unify those who are working hard to rebuild the sector and to spread a message of solidarity that we are one global community, and one where travel brings us closer, at the right time.

“Our message is that everyone can still stay inspired with future travel ideas and bookings - and in the meantime be part of a virtual space for sharing, connecting, and collectively inspiring.

“We want to thank Amanda Hills, President of MMGY Hills Balfour and her team for their efforts in building this campaign with donated time, and we hope that as many people as possible will share the video, as we look forward to a future time when we will be able to travel again.”

BUSINESS ACTIVITIES SIGNIFICANTLY HIT; RECOVERY MAY TAKE MORE THAN A YEAR: CII CEOS SNAP POLL On the jobs and livelihoods front, more than half of the firms (54%) foresee job losses in their respective sectors after the lockdown ends.

T

he country-wide lockdown imposed on 23rd March, while necessary, has had deep ramifications on economic activity. According to the CII CEOs Snap Poll on Impact of COVID-19 on Economy and Industry, while a majority of the firms continue to anticipate a significant decline in their topline, they now foresee a delay in economic revival and demand recovery. The survey saw the participation of more than 300 CEOs, of which nearly twothirds belonged to MSMEs. The lockdown brought economic activity to a grinding halt and the survey findings indicate that a significant majority of the firms (65%) expect revenues to fall more than 40% in the current quarter (AprJun 2020). For financial year 202021, the expectations of a fall in revenue are staggered, with 33% of the firms anticipating a revenue fall of more than 40%, closely followed by 32% of firms expecting a revenue contraction ranging between 20% to 40%.

While three out of four firms have identified that a ‘Complete shutdown of operations’ was a

major constraint being faced by business, more than half of them have also indicated ‘Lack of demand for products’ as a hinderance to business activity.

Further, the survey results reveal that we may experience a protracted slowdown in economic activity as a 25 major proportion of the respondents (45%) feel it will take more than a year to achieve economic normalcy once the lockdown ends. With respect to their own companies, however, the respondents anticipate a slightly quicker recovery, i.e. within 6-12 months with 34% of the respondents indicating the same.

Further, a major proportion of the respondents anticipate normalcy in domestic demand conditions within

6-12 months, post lockdown.

Additionally, it is pertinent to note that according to a large proportion of the firms, a recovery in domestic demand, for their product or services, may precede the recovery in foreign demand for the same.

On the jobs and livelihoods front, more than half of the firms (54%) foresee job losses in their respective sectors after the lockdown ends. A major share of respondents (45%) expect 15% to 30% cut in jobs. However, allaying some concerns, nearly twothirds of the respondents reported that they have not experienced a salary/ wage cut in their firms so far.

Among those who have witnessed a wage cut, the duration of the same is ‘Undecided’ for a majority.

Taking cognizance of the deteriorating industry expectations, Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII said “While the lockdown was necessary to mitigate the impact coronavirus on the population, its has had dire implications for economic activity. At this hour, the industry awaits a stimulus package for economic revival and livelihood sustenance besides calibrated exit from lockdown.”

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WTTC

UNVEILS “SAFE TRAVELS” T

he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled a range of new worldwide measures have been designed to rebuild confidence among consumers so they can travel safely once the restrictions are lifted to restart the sector.

The new Safe Travels protocols provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, operators, and travellers, about the new approach to health and hygiene in the post COVID-19 world.

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New global protocols to restart the Travel & Tourism sector The health and safety of travellers and workers is put at the heart of the new global protocols, which have been drawn up by WTTC Members.

Based on the best available medical evidence, following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they also avoid the emergence of multiple standards, which would only delay the sector’s recovery.

Ms. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We have learned from the past, especially after the tragedy of 9/11, where the lack of coordination among governments and with the private sector caused long-lasting travel disruption, higher costs and a longer recovery time.

“Coordination and alignment within the Travel & Tourism sector is vital to ensure that robust global measures are put in place to help rebuild confidence and which are jointly embraced by the governments and private sector.

“We are delighted that for the first time ever, the global private sector has aligned around these new Safe Travels protocols which will create consistency across the sector. Now we are calling on governments to adopt them so that they can be

implemented globally and restore much-needed confidence in order to restart the Travel & Tourism sector.”

Evidence from WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation to ensure that smart policies and effective communities are in place to enable a more resilient Travel & Tourism sector.

WTTC, is devising the new Safe Travels protocols following close consultation with its Members, as well as industry associations like Airports Council International (ACI), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the International

Air Transport Association (IATA), to bring confidence back and set clear expectations of what travellers may front in their next trip.

These will apply across the main industries within Travel & Tourism including hospitality, aviation, airports, cruise operators, retail, transportation, MICE and tour operators amongst others.

Detailed discussions are taking place with key stakeholders and or-

ganisations in each industry within the sector to ensure maximum buyin, alignment and practical implementation, with hospitality and retail guidelines being released today.

The WTTC initiative has been backed by top CEOs and business leaders from across the Travel & Tourism sector.

Chris Nassetta, WTTC Chairman and Hilton’s President & CEO, said: “We see green shoots of hope

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NEWS/ GLOBAL emerging as our global community turns its attention toward recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. But we know that travellers will only venture out into the world again when they feel it is safe to do so, making it critically important that we give them the confidence and peace of mind they need.

“The global protocols WTTC has laid out are designed to align the travel and tourism industry around consistent health and safety guidelines that will help protect travellers wherever their journey takes them.”

Federico J. González, Radisson Hospitality President & CEO, said: “We need to make sure that the travel industry speaks the same language and each consumer understands what safety means in hotels, regardless of their location. Having a common worldwide protocol will allow consumers to recognise the same safety standards wherever they travel.

“The WTTC Safe Travels protocols will make this same language possible for the benefit of everybody in this industry. This is the reason why Radisson Hotel Group fully supports this initiative and is looking forward to helping expand the WTTC Safe Travels protocols as much as possible, across the globe.”

Keith Barr, InterContinental Hotels Group Chief Executive, said: “As an industry, we have always made the safety and wellbeing of guests and colleagues our top priority. IHG is proud to support the WTTC in shaping this best practice guidance in areas such as cleanliness and hygiene, all underpinned by the most relevant training and preparedness for hotel teams.

“This important work illustrates how our industry can come together to provide the reassurance and confidence that will be so important as people return to travel.”

Brett Tollman, Travel Corporation Chief Executive, said: “Our indus-

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try faces and existential threat. We need to define new protocols and measures to get people’s confidence to travel again, for leisure and business. WTTC is best positioned to help work with us and governments to define those together.

“We believe WTTC is best suited to work with all governments, the WHO and other necessary organisations to agree how we are going to operate in the new ‘abnormal’. Let’s put our differences aside, come together and expeditiously with WTTC define these new protocols and measures, get them in front of governments, get them signed off and let’s get out there, convincing people to travel again with all of us.”

Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, said: “For us and our partners, the safety of travellers is always our top priority. We are more than happy to see that WTTC is setting global standards to ensure a safe experience and bringing confidence back to all travellers.”

Alex Zozaya, Apple Leisure Group President, said: “I’m deeply concerned about the travel today all over the world, we must regain the trust on the traveller. We have to avoid the confusion and the uncertainty that prevails in the market today. The WTTC has created these universal protocols, that hopefully, as us, you will embrace happily. We thank them for their support.”

Pansy Ho, Shun Tak Holdings Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director, said: “Shun Tak, being a committed investor in regional transportation, integrated hotel and destinations across Hong Kong, Macau and China, fully supports WTTC’s efforts in driving the rebound of the tourism sector.

“We stand in solidarity with WTTC to embrace travel and tourism once again, under the valuable guidelines set out in the ‘Global Guidance’, putting safety, health, security and sustainability as priorities as we unite to revitalize our industry.”

Gabriel Escarrer, Meliá Hotels In-

ternational Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, said: “Safe travel and health confidence are the new priorities, and are here to stay: the pandemic is a common concern for companies and destinations throughout the world.

“It is a shared responsibility for us to all work together and offer global health and safety standards against COVID-19. We therefore welcome the Global standards approved by WTTC, which belong to all of us.”

Kike Sarasola, Room Mate President and Founder, said: “The WTTC is promoting very good initiatives and I really think that’s the way to do it. We have to work together. We as a private sector know how to deal with our sector. Public sector should listen to us; we want to help.”

Sabina Fluxà, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts Vice-Chairman and CEO, said: “This crisis has shown the importance of global coordination to overcome the vulnerability of the tourism industry and become more resilient. We cannot work with heterogeneous measures depending on each country: we must face the new scenario with global standards that guarantee the sustainability of our sector.

“It is very important to keep an eye on the medium and long term and incorporate health safety as a new pillar of global sustainability. Health and environment will be the key axes of a resilient tourism policy.”

Carlos Muñoz, Managing Director, Hotelbeds: “This important measure not only gives our sector greater clarity on COVID-19 response best practice, it will also give greater confidence to travellers when booking a hotel and thus help the tourism sector recover more quickly. That’s why at Hotelbeds we will back this initiative and additionally are working on including information about this in our distribution for travelers to consider when reserving a hotel.”

Frank Rainieri, Grupo Puntacana Chairman and Founder, said: “We have to congratulate the World

Travel & Tourism Council for its leadership and publishing these global guidelines for the re-opening of our industry.

“This pandemic has done significant damage to the value of our industry and we must lead this process of recovery and ensure people that the hospitality sector is safe with the best operational guidance and protocols to make our sector unique. The WTTC will help to renew the consumer’s confidence in travel which is the most important goal now to every one of us.”

Shirley Tan, Rajawali Property Group CEO, said: “Tourism recovery is vital to prevent millions of people from being driven into extreme poverty. Rajawali Property Group, one of the leading hotel investment and development companies in Southeast Asia, fully supports WTTC global initiatives to bring together governments and private sectors to put in place critical global standards and protocols to ensure safe travel, accelerate global tourism recovery, and reshape travel & tourism industry for the future.”

Hugo Desenzani, Libertador Hotels CEO, said: “For the first time in recent history we face a shutdown of travel as we know it. The good news is that no pandemic will take away our deeply rooted desire to explore and discover and we will travel again soon.

“Because a global problem requires a global solution, we fully support the WTTC and their initiative of consistent, global safety guidelines, which will allow our guests to travel and feel safe.”

WTTC has divided the new guidance into five pillars including restarting operations; ensuring the traveller experience is safe and secure; rebuilding trust and confidence; innovation; and implementing enabling policies.

Hotels/Hospitality Key measures include Revisit guidance for cleaning teams for all areas of the hotel with a specific focus on high-frequen-

cy touch points, such as room key cards, Ensure social distancing for guests through signage and guidelines including lifts, Retrain staff in infection control, social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures, including hand washing and the use of masks and gloves .All extraneous items should be removed throughout the hotel Integrate technologies to enable automation, such as introducing contactless payments where possible Offer room service using no-contact delivery methods.

Have clear, consistent and enhanced communication with customers on new health and hygiene safety protocols, both digitally and physically at hotels Safe reopening of Food and Beverage outlets and Meeting and Events spaces with specific actions to ensure social distancing, disinfection and food safety.

Key Measures include Deep cleaning regimes, Staff should be fully familiar and trained in the new policies, including social distancing, the use of thermal scanning and the wearing of face masks and Social distancing should be observed in stores through special visual markers. Minimise touch points by intro-

ducing digital maps, digital queue management, e-menus, virtual personal shopping and roving concierges Promote contactless payments and email receipts wherever possible by providing complimentary WIFI to encourage take up Hand sanitisers at shop entrances and exits, as well as at intervals inside premises and in bathrooms.

In cafes, restaurants and other food outlets, all menus to be available digitally, Special attention placed to seating and queue management in line with social distancing requirements,Capacity limits should be introduced in retail car parks to prevent overcrowding.

Additional and separate measures for the Aviation and Cruise sectors are still in development and will be announced in due course. Both sectors, which have always had high health and safety standards, are reassessing their protocols, with new measures around hygiene, deep cleansing and social distancing being analysed.

According to WTTC’S 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

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WTTC LAUNCHES SAFE TRAVELS PROTOCOLS FOR AVIATION, AIRPORTS, MICE AND TOUR OPERATORS

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he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the second phase of measures to rebuild global consumer confidence to encourage the return of travelling.

The latest protocols are designed to drive the return of safe travel and enable industries, namely tour operators and convention centers, meetings, and events to thrive once again.

Detailed discussions took place with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment, and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may experience in the ‘new normal’.

Those relating to airports and airlines have been devised following close consultation with WTTC Members such as Iberia, Emirates Group, Etihad and Oman Aviation 30

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Group among others, as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI), to rebuild trust and provide reassurance that airports and airlines will offer safe environments in which to fly once travel restrictions are relaxed.

The welfare of travellers and the millions of people employed throughout the Travel & Tourism sector at the heart of this new comprehensive package of Safe Travels protocols.

They also provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, airlines, airports, operators, and travellers, about the new approach to health and hygiene in the post-COVID-19 world.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “For the first time, the global private sector has rallied around our Safe Travels protocols

The latest protocols are designed to drive the return of safe travel and enable industries, namely tour operators and convention centres, meetings and events to thrive once again

which will create the consistency needed to allow a re-invigorated Travel & Tourism sector re-open for business.

“Among the most important of these measures are those which will enable the aviation sector to take-off. Aviation’s return is critical to help repower the global economic recovery.

“WTTC aviation protocols were created in close collaboration with ACI and IATA. We thank them and their leaders Angela Gittens and Alexandre de Juniac for their guidance, as we must restore consumer confidence to get people travelling and flying safely.

“The expertise from large and small tour operators contributed to define the new experience via tour operators and visiting event venues again, and were defined in the coordination of experts from this segment, through these robust

global measures which have been embraced by businesses around the world.”

Angela Gittens, ACI World Director-General said: “Our industry has been brought to a standstill. A balanced and effective restart and recovery of the global travel and tourism sector depends on collaboration among the key participants in this ecosystem and we welcome the ambitious approach taken by the WTTC. “Collaboration will help to establish a globally-consistent approach to recovery which will be the most effective way of balancing risk mitigation with the need to enable travel and foster economic recovery while also reassuring the travelling public that health and safety remain the overall priorities.”

Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO at IATA said: “COVID-19 is a gamechanger for the travel and tourism sector, requiring us to enhance our approach to health and safety to protect our travellers and workforce. Aviation is the business of freedom and it is vital to enable its restart on a safe basis. IATA is delighted to lend its framework and collaborate with WTTC on the Aviation Protocols as part of its Safe Travels initiative. This is an excellent example of the industry solidarity and cooperation that will be so vital to ensuring a strong recovery for travel and tourism.”

Yuji Akasaka, Japan Airlines President, said: “We would like to thank WTTC for their deep understanding of the aviation industry and their worldwide support.

“At this moment I think the most important issue is that all members involved in tourism join forces and cooperate to overcome this crisis.

Through WTTC’s widespread initiatives, we would like to work not only with the aviation sector but also with the tourism industry as a whole.”

Deborah Flint, Greater Toronto Airports Authority President and CEO,

said: “Airports are one part of many organisations that form the travel and tourism ecosystem, to serve business and humanity’s need to connect.

“Together, we must work towards recovery from this crisis. That is why collaborating with partners like the WTTC on protocols for the new travel experience is important to us. A standardised approach, led by governments with input from industry, will allow us to ensure all safety measure are in place and is a critical step in building confidence in travellers, governments and ensuring resiliency for our industry.”

Greg Webb, Travelport Chief Executive Officer, said: The global travel industry is united in its desire to support a safe, healthy, and respon31

WTTC’s unveiled its landmark new global safety stamp to encourage safe travels and the reopening of the Travel & Tourism sector

sible return to travel. However, for this to be achieved, the industry and governments across the world must now unite around a consistent set of clear practical and meaningful protocols, which are backed up by medical evidence and give travellers the confidence they need to once again take to the skies.

Gordon Wilson, WorldReach President, said: “The new Global Protocols provide an important framework to facilitate government and industry collaboration via a consistent set of guidelines to restore traveller confidence.

“The WTTC’s Seamless Traveller Journey initiative has greater urgency and an expanded role due to COVID-19. Health safety becomes a critical factor and combines the previous seamless travel goals with touchless processes, thereby helping the recovery of global travel.”

Miguel Leitmann, Vision-Box Chief Executive Officer, said: “As a leading forum of the travel and tourism industry, we are fortunate to have WTTC taking an important role in the formulation of trusted and clear travel standards in a post-COVID-19 environment.

“Travel has become such an essential component of our daily lives, whether on business, vacation, or JUNE 2020 TOURISM INDIA

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for personal reasons, that I am certain that we will soon be growing and thriving again. In the meantime, Vision-Box works closely with our clients and industry stakeholders to implement touchless identification and contactless clearance solutions that will enhance the safety and security of all travellers and staff members throughout the travel and tourism sector.

“Moving forward in this unprecedented time, the strength of our ongoing partnership with WTTC is key to recovery and success. Integrity, values, and expertise drive our shared commitment to make our world a better place and we look forward to our mutual support, both personally and professionally.”

Aileen Clemente, Rajah Travel Corporation Chairman, and CEO, said: “Restoring travel confidence is a major pillar to the recovery of our industry. Rajah Travel Corporation fully supports the WTTC in its leadership in engaging the private sector for the development of Safe Travel protocols across the value chain.

“We all benefit from WTTC’s strong advocacy with global and national institutions to prioritise travel and tourism in the recovery plans. The WTTC initiatives during this crisis are instrumental in how we re-shape our product offerings, business solutions, and service to ensure and promote safe, secure, and seamless experience among our global customers and stakeholders.”

Darrell Wade, Intrepid Group Chairman said: “Safety and collaboration have never been more important, so it’s outstanding to see the travel industry work together 32

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as one, to ensure the health and wellbeing of travelers, workers, and community members.”

Last week, WTTC unveiled Safe Travels protocols for hospitality and outdoor retail, which were widely endorsed and supported by top CEOs and business leaders globally.

However, earlier this week, WTTC’s unveiled its landmark new global safety stamp to encourage safe travels and the reopening of the Travel & Tourism sector.

Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the new protocols will recognise businesses and governments worldwide which have adopted them to rebuild confidence among consumers, encourage the return of ‘Safe Travels’ and enable the Travel & Tourism sector to reopen for business.

Drawn up by WTTC Members and based on the best available medical evidence and following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new Safe Travels protocols and avoid the emergence of multiple standards, which would only confuse the consumer and delay the sector’s recovery.

Detailed discussions took place with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment, and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may expect during their next flights in the ‘new normal’.

Evidence from WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation to ensure that smart policies and effective communities are in place to enable a more resilient Travel & Tourism sector.

WTTC divided the new guidance into four pillars including operational and staff preparedness; ensuring a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence; innovation; and implementing enabling policies.

Airports • Enhanced cleaning including to self-service equipment, baggage trolleys, counters, buggies, security checkpoints, washrooms, elevators, handrails, boarding areas, and common areas with a specific focus on high-frequency touch points • Provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to staff, such as masks • New signage and announcements to limit interaction and queuing at touchpoints • Possible pre-arrival health risk assessment to prevent delays upon arrival • Reduce passenger touchpoints through online check-in before departure, use of self-check in kiosks and bag drop, home-printed bag tags, greater use of biometric e-gates and boarding card reading at gates • If entry-exit screening is mandated, it should be carried out in a non-intrusive, walk through manner, through full body infrared scanners using handheld infrared thermometers, and ear gun thermometers • Enhanced food safety and hygiene at restaurants, with prepacked foods to avoid handling of food at buffets • Possible redesign of immigration halls together with governments and airlines to speed up procedures • Where declarations are required upon arrival, electronic options should be used to minimise contact; ideally using contactless processes.

Airlines • Provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to staff such as masks • Reduce passengers’ touchpoints through online check-in before departure, use of selfcheck in kiosks and bag drop, home-printed bag tags, greater use of biometric e-gates and boarding card reading at gates • Provide approved hand sanitizers as appropriate based on high-traffic areas, such as checkin and boarding areas • Revisited guidance for cleaning teams for all areas of the plane including washrooms, as well as check in and boarding areas, with a specific focus on high-frequency touch points • Consider boarding from back of the plane to the front, window to aisle • Limit movement in the cabin as much as possible • Retrain crew and frontline staff regarding infection control and hygiene measures

Tour operators • Enhanced sanitation, disinfection, and deep cleaning practices for coaches and other vehicles • Focused cleaning on high-frequency touch points, including handrails, door handles, tables, onboard toilets, air conditioning filters, overhead lockers and headsets • Pre-allocated seating plans with no rotation • Limit physical contact and queuing where possible • Explore staggered timing for access to venues, hotels and restaurants among others • Health, sanitation, disinfection and hygiene and food safety protocols at partner restaurants • Establish with partners and suppliers including shops, showrooms, tasting venues/shops, museums, shows theatres, concert halls, factories and farms, that they follow likely protocols

Convention Centres, Meetings & Events • Implement physical distancing for seating distribution and aisles, utilizing government guidance if available. Create visual support to show intent as appropriate.

33 • Reduce venue capacity limits for participants as appropriate and required by local legislation • Distinguish between different areas of risk in the venue • Consider pre-arrival risk assessment questionnaire for participants • Limit physical interaction and possible queuing at reception and registration using advance registration to enhance participant flow • Create isolation units outside the venue where possible for those showing COVID-19 symptoms Additional and separate measures for the Cruise sector and Insurance businesses, amongst others, are currently in development and will be announced in due course.

According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

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By Aradhana Khowala CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners

OPINION / TOURISM

HOW THE SINKING CRUISE INDUSTRY CAN STAY AFLOAT AMIDST THE STIGMA

CHALLENGE

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he COVID-19 pandemic has upended all sectors of the travel industry and the cruise sector has suffered the worst two month span any industry could face, and it’s likely not over yet. Cruise ships have been branded “floating petri dishes” and “incubators for pathogens” and become a testament to the viciousness of the coronavirus crisis. Dozens of fatalities have been linked to cruise ships, with passengers and crew dying while at sea and after disembarking. More than 6000 passengers are still onboard ships that are unable to dock as governments block disembarkation, fearing it will spread the disease. Ports have denied vessels entry, Governments have launched criminal investigations, travellers have cancelled trips 34

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and most cruise companies in the world have suspended operations.

Even as ships will be allowed to sail again, a “No Sail Order” is etched in the minds of customers and questions have been raised about their very raison d’être. It is time for cruise industry to introspect and reinvent itself for the new world post Covid..

RE-REGISTER IN HOME SOIL Even as all cruise companies are struggling financially, they have been excluded from all Government bail outs and instead are facing backlash from society. The recent exclusion of Cruise Liners from the $2 trillion stimulus package in US is a great example. This is because most Cruise Liners are considered

tax dodgers as they fly under foreign flags to avoid taxes and wages and regulations that US and other western economies demand (federal income tax of 21 percent in US).

Carnival Corporation is incorporated in Panama, Royal Caribbean is incorporated in Liberia, and Norwegian Cruise Lines is in Bermuda. While the importance of the cruise-ship industry for tourism cannot be understated, in times of crisis wider public want to only reward organisations that have contributed to the local economy. Cruise Liners should consider relocating and redomiciling back to their sponsor country so that they can become one with the society. Cruise Lines order a lot of goods in the host and visitor destinations, supports around 1.1 million jobs worldwide, with about 421,000 of those in America and it would be such a pity to let the industry suffer any more in future.

DELIVER ON ESG AND ENCOURAGE MILLENIALS AS A NEW MARKET Historically the baby boomers and 60+ have been the most loyal

cruise customer. Once the outbreak recedes and cruises resume, they will not come back to Cruising very quickly as they remain vulnerable to any further waves of the disease.

The industry needs to actively target the millennial traveller as the important “new-to-cruise” segment.

The millennials care more about meaning, experience, community, culture and are way more passionate about ESG. These travellers have elevated expectations for transparency around safety both for personal health as well as the environment health. Incorporating an active lifestyle including sports while onboard and breaking the wrong perception that it is all about queuing up for the unlimited cake can appeal to the younger cruisers. Also, cruise leaders need to communicate the company’s sustainability responsibilities and plans proactively to convince these travellers that cruising can be healthy as well as climate friendly. Communicating this now and consistently into the future is especially important is not born into the cult of cruise loyalists.

Unsustainable paths are no longer an option for any sector especially the Cruise Liners. It matters for the traveller, for the future and society.

One of strongest arguments against providing federal support for the cruise industry was because of its chequered past with environmental issues. To be viable for the long term, Cruise liners need to dramatically change how they operate in the post Covid future. This would also mean diverting the funding to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution with new fossil fuel-burning ships as well as investing in zero-emission fuels as against simply spend billions on larger ships. Though Cruise Liners have focussed more on environmental, social, and corporate governance recently for a post-COVID rebound they need to commit to an action and tie it to a metric. Making things measurable forces efficiency by exposing actions that really don’t

drive impact.

REDESIGN SPACE - BIG IS NOT ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL The world is now very scared of how easily deadly infectious diseases spread in enclosed spaces. Cruise ships have historically been synonymous with high density of people in a small space. Additionally, there are queues for buffet, for entertainment, activities, shows and to get on and off at every port. Even when the immediate crisis is over, some form of social-distancing measures will stay in place and the industry will need to rethink design and space planning with health & hygiene up, front and centre. If that means larger cabins, fresh air or empty cabins between occupied ones remains to be seen but the current configuration is crying out for change. And the consumer would be willing to pay for this little extra.

CONCLUSION While there has been no shortage of negative attention the Cruise Liners have received for its handling of the crisis, the worst has been the branding it has received that it as a non-essential industry. The unprecedented scale of coronavirus is something none of us have seen

before and the Cruise industry is certainly one of the most “at risk”.

However, prior to the current pandemic, the cruise industry was one of the fastest growing segments of tourism. Many destination business models were under review and improvements in infrastructure and on the sustainability and climate friendliness of the sector were being carried out. The longer Covid-19 dominates the news headlines and the longer the ships are forced to remain idled the longer the industry will take to regain its buoyancy and face the “stigma” challenge that could last for a while even after Covid-19 passes.

When the travel industry returns to the “new normal,” instilling passenger confidence from a health safety perspective will be key to calming the anxieties about setting sail soon again. This slowdown is a great time to hit the reboot button for the industry and all its stakeholders to rethink the industry dynamics, reinvent themselves and find a solution that addresses the many fears and concerns of their customers, shareholders, employees, host ports and destinations. Cruising will survive but it needs fundamental changes, and one should never let a crisis go waste.

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ITDC

COMMENCES

PREPARATIONS FOR RE-OPENING OF ITS HOTELS

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he India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has remained active in a spate of upbeat activities since March 2020 to support the fight against COVID -19.

Preparing to restart business amid a new perspective and a new vision, ITDC is committed to placing health and safety on top priority, while retaining traditional hospitality. The Corporation is forming a Health and Safety Advisory Board with leading doctors as mentors. The entire postCOVID initiative is a 360-degree amalgamation of SOPs, HACCP and FSSAI codes, technology, training, medical expertise, and strict protocols.

Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao IAS, C&MD, ITDC, who is stringently monitoring and guiding the activities says, “The aim is 36

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ITDC, a public sector undertaking under Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has started preparation to restart business amid a new perspective and a new vision

to instill a feeling of reassurance and well-being in the minds of our patrons. Our initiative will be based on international benchmarking and be imbued with our deepest concern for our guests.”

A rigorous training intervention on health and safety protocols has been formally inaugurated by C&MD, ITDC at the flagship propMr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao IAS, erty, The Ashok, on 22.05.2020.

Chairman & Managing Director The first phase covering each specific function will be complet- India Tourism Development Corporation ed within a fortnight. An empowered and re-oriented work-force, rus pandemic. The food is being and completely safe hotels are cooked in the kitchen of ITDC’s ready to welcome visitors. flagship hotel ‘The Ashok’.

During the entire lockdown “These are testing times which period, ITDC has provided up to all of us are going through and 2,000 cooked and packed meals everything we do today combats every day to health workers of the massive challenge that we government hospitals, AIIMS, are facing as a nation and as a and Ram Manohar Lohia, amid world,” said Union Tourism Ministhe lockdown due to coronavi- ter Mr. Prahlad Singh Patel.

Validity period of Approval/ Classifications of Hotels & other accommodation units extended till 30th June 2020; Six months’ relaxation or extension to all categories of Tour Operators, Travel Agents and Tourist Transport Operators

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he Ministry of Tourism classifies hotels under the star rating system to conform to the expected standards for different classes of tourists.

Under this system, hotels are given a rating, from One Star to Three Star, Four and Five Star with or without alcohol, Five Star Deluxe, Heritage (Basic), Heritage (Classic), Heritage (Grand), Legacy Vintage (Basic), Legacy Vintage (Classic), Legacy Vintage (Grand) and Apartment Hotels, Homestays, Guesthouse, etc.

The classification/ certification is valid for five years.

Considering the current situation when the hospitality industry is going through a very difficult time in the wake of COVID 19 Pandemic and lockdown that has severely impacted the accommodation sector, it has been decided that validity of approval or certifications of ho-

MINISTRY OF TOURISM EXTENDS VALIDITY PERIOD TILL JUNE 30, 2020 tels and other accommodation units whose project approvals/ reapprovals and classification/ reclassification have expired/are likely to expire during the period (24.03.2020 to 29.6.2020) are deemed to be extended till 30.06.2020.

Similarly, the Ministry has a scheme of approving Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Adventure Tour Operators, Domestic Tour Operators, and Tourist Transport Operators, etc. the idea being to encourage 37 quality, standard and service in these categories to promote Tourism in India.

Due to postponement of inspection work and application scrutiny during the lockdown period from March 2020 onward in the wake of COVID-19

pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism has decided to allow six months’ relaxation or extension to all categories of Tour Operators (Inbound, Domestic, Adventure) Travel Agents and Tourist Transport Operators for their approval with the Ministry of Tourism subject to the conditions that previous approval expired or the current approval expires during the period of 20th March 2020 and applied for renewal before expiry of their current/previous approval

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COLUMN / TRAVEL TRENDS

By Binu Philip Tourism & Marketing Consultant

GOVERNMENTS + PRIVATE SECTOR >> #TRAVELRECOVERY The belated decision to open India’s skies, is a much welcome step in the right direction. A much needed relief.

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ravel Recovery is NOT just about travellers being able to stream in again; it’s also about travel businesses being able to operate seamlessly post-crisis in order to cater to travellers in the best and safest ways.

The recent Govt. of India Recovery Package announcements

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have sent the travel industry in India into a sense of deep shock.

“Unbelievable”, most of them say; “sad and disappointing,” say others, as the Govt. seems to have completely looked away from an important sector like tourism.

This is the world’s largest industry, revenue earner, and employer. The many countless

benefits (often undervalued and overlooked) to nations and its people, led the industry to believe that the govt. will announce some encouraging measures for an important sector of the economy that finds itself stalled.

As they say and is a fact, tourism is the first to get impacted and the last to recover in a crisis.

To that extent, as with any other sector of the economy, tourism badly needed those gentle strokes of rejuvenation.

No doubt, travel will be back.

More than when, the question is, how long will it take to get back to pre-COVID levels? The answer to that is not a very comfortable one.

In this context, it was expected that during the 5-day announcement, tourism-travel-hospitality would find a place. The absence of it has resulted in widespread anger and concern within the industry. People are reconciled to the ‘we have to work on our own... can’t expect anything from the govt’ sentiment.

A thought for this time would be: Without the government and the private sector at each end picking up the threads together, tourism will be ‘dead as a dodo’ - a phrase Navjot Siddhu popularised in the context of ‘dry and dead’ cricket pitches.

The days of governments running the tourism industry or even parts of it, is over. Governments admittedly (tho with notable exceptions) have much less capability to run businesses, maintain quality standards of facilities, and importantly, curate experiences that today’s travellers need.

Here, the govt needs the private sector.

The private sector with great expertise in providing facilities and experiences that match today’s evolved tastes are on the other hand unable to provide important infrastructure facilities at destinations. Or promote destinations on a large scale.

An individual property may pro-

mote a destination big time, but cannot possibly build the basic facets that make the destination attractive and accessible and thus, complete. Here, the industry needs the govt very much.

If this holds true in good times, it is even more important during times like these. For tomorrow when the time arrives for the industry to be thrown open again, businesses must be able to move on the rails, with enough Capital, confidence, and ease in dealing with a stressful situation. In its absence, they will start to succumb (as some already have).

And that will lead to:

Reduction in capacities

The potential loss of travellers to other destinations Further slowing of businesses A pr problem about a destination going through issues at multiple ends So, the forceful point - as helpless as the government may seem to find itself, and as angry and disappointed the industry feels, the realisation that should sink in is: There can be no tourism without the govt and the private sector treading the slippery path of uncertainty together.

As much as the private sector has to realise the importance 39 of being patient and stay positive, governments also need to acknowledge the contributions made by the industry that helps sustain the larger economy. And treat it much better.

There can be no tourism with just the govt. having a destination ‘all ready to receive travellers’. A vibrant private sector ready to receive travellers is a must.

Whatever the government’s priorities are, they cannot afford to look away from the travel industry. Whatever the disappointments are, the industry must not be tempted to look away from the government (it will certainly not). Both need each other for businesses, destinations, the multitude of employees, and for the revenue generated out of it.

Governments and the Private Sector cannot stand at their respective ends and hope for a #travelrecovery The belated decision to open India’s skies is a much welcome step in the right direction. A much-needed relief.

Travel Recovery, Together.

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FEATURE / HOSPITALITY

VISTARA

OPENS DOMESTIC

FLIGHT

BOOKINGS

The airline will temporarily operate on a reduced network and scale up gradually, subject to necessary regulatory approvals on the revised schedule of operations.

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istara Airlines has announced the resumption of its domestic flights from 25 May 2020, following an order of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India. The airline will temporarily operate on a reduced network and scale up gradually, subject to necessary regulatory approvals on the revised schedule of operations. Vistara will follow strict compliance with all new guidelines issued by the authorities across touchpoints to ensure the health and safety of all passengers and staff.

Mr. Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara said, “Aviation is a growth engine for the economy and resumption of air travel will give great impetus to the government’s overall efforts in helping the country eventually return to normalcy.

We thank the government for taking this step and for their consultative approach in putting togeth-

er the new SOPs/guidelines for all stakeholders in the aviation sector.

We will support the government’s initiatives and maintain the highest level of safety, hygiene, and security in our operations to provide a flying experience to passengers that they can continue to trust.”

Vistara will be operating a reduced network for the next few weeks, connecting 24 cities across the country.

As part of the new SOPs/guidelines issued by the Govt. of India, the airline will take multiple measures to minimise contact between passengers and staff and for overall health and safety reasons. This includes but is not limited to the temporary suspension of Vistara’s well-regarded on-board meal service, mandatory web check-in and self-printing of the boarding pass and baggage tags for all passengers, implementing baggage limitations with only one check-in bag and one piece of carry-on bag allowed and acceptance of passengers after certification of

their health status on the mandatory contact tracing Aarogya Setu app.

Health and hygiene inside the cabin are ensured in all of Vistara’s aircraft manufactured by Airbus and Boeing that use multiple highly efficient airflow and filtration systems that continuously refresh cabin air with air from outside. Powerful HEPA filters trap 99.9% of particulates such as viruses (including coronaviruses), bacteria, and fungi and purify the air inside the cabin every two to three minutes, thereby making flying a highly safe mode of transportation.

To complement all health and safety measures, customers will be required to report to the airport at least two hours before their flight’s departure, factoring in more time required to maintain social distancing norms and to clear necessary security/health checks. Each customer will be given a safety kit by the airline consisting of a face mask, face shield, and sanitiser. They will be required to wear face masks at all

times throughout their journey – at the airport and onboard their flights – and use hand sanitizers frequently.

Scanners will be used at the boarding gates to enable self-boarding wherever possible while following a staggered and sequential boarding process. Vistara will temporarily suspend priority boarding and follow reverse zone boarding, with the passenger in the last row entering the aircraft first.

All of Vistara’s staff will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, including cabin crew that will wear protective gowns, face masks, and face shields. The airline will also ensure disinfectant cleaning of all aircraft at the turn-around of every single flight and deep cleaning of all aircraft every 24 hours with approved disinfectant cleaners. All aircraft will also be equipped with surgical masks, gloves, sanitizer wipes, and contact-less infrared thermometers for any need arising on board.

VISTARA UNVIELS INDIA’S 1 BOEING 787-9 DREAMLINER

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istara has unveiled its first wide-body aircraft, India’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on March 2, 2020, which arrived in Delhi on 29 February 2020 from Boeing’s production facility in Everett, Washington. The airline celebrated its newest and 40th aircraft in a grand ceremony at the Delhi Airport.

Vistara revealed its new cabin products for long-haul international flights that the aircraft will start operating soon.

“This magnificent aircraft signals the advent of world-class air travel for millions of Indians. And it also tells the world that Vistara has arrived”, said Mr. Bhaskar Bhat, Chairman, Vistara.

On the occasion, Mr. Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “With the unveiling of our new

cabin products, today’s milestone reflects Vistara’s deep-rooted commitment to providing our customers with a premium travel experience like no other carrier in India. We are confident that millions 41 of our loyal customers will be delighted to have the choice of flying their favourite Indian airline now on long haul international routes as well.”

Vistara’s new cabin products in Business, Premium Economy, and Economy are designed to suit the preferences of today’s global citizens.

From the seats to lighting, a host of cabin features in Vistara’s Dreamliner together with the distinctive attributes of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offer not only great comfort and style but also ensures the wellness of travellers.

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41

NEWS / NEWS AIRLINES AIRLINE

INDIGO

SUPPORTS IMD WITH WEATHER

FORECASTING

DATA

India’s leading carrier, IndiGo is collaborating with the Indian Meteorological Department by providing crucial aircraft data on wind, humidity and temperature relayed by the aircraft sensors.

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ndiGo Airlines collaborates with the Indian Meteorological Department by providing crucial aircraft data on wind, humidity, and temperature relayed by the aircraft sensors. The data, which is imperative for accurate predictions of weather, has been unavailable to the Indian Meteorological Department since a majority of flights are out of operations due to the nationwide lockdown, coupled with staff constraints.

IndiGo has incorporated a plan for its pilots to report high-level wind and temperatures at different stages of a flight as desired by IMD across all flight operations. The pilot reports will capture and share observations at cruising altitude MIDWAY of the destination, at cruising altitude just before the start of descent, near FL100, near FL050 and position in coordinates within 2HRS of observation to support the Wx forecast model.

Capt. Ashim Mittra, Sr. Vice President – Flight Operations, IndiGo said, “In view of the current situation, we have decided to take a step forward to assist the IMD department, which is relentlessly working to provide an accurate weather forecast for the aviation industry as well as agricultural and fisheries sector amongst many others in the country. As part of this initiative, we have made pilot reporting compulsory on our flight operations. We will ensure to share observations from every flight within 2 hours to the IMD headquarters, so that they can use this data for the benefit of the nation”.

Mr. Mittra further added, “We look forward to more such opportunities to be able to serve our country in the best possible ways in these trying times.”

2,500 stranded foreign tourists were repatriated from Kerala since the international airports shut down on March 23 due to COVID -19 pandemic.

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he special plane of Royal Flight Airlines took off from Thiruvananthapuram to Moscow via Kolkata and Yekaterinburg.

Kerala Tourism officials said that 104 Russian tourists, stranded due to the coronavirus lockdown, flew back from the state on May 22.

The special plane of Royal Flight Airlines took off from Thiruvananthapuram to Moscow via Kolkata and Yekaterinburg.

While 75 passengers were staying in different locations in Kerala, like Varkala near the state capital, the rest of them were held up in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The operations were coordinated by Ratheesh C Nair, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation, in Thiruvananthapuram.

The home-bound passengers underwent a mandatory medical check-up and other formalities before boarding the flight.

As many as 2,500 stranded foreign tourists were repatriated from Kerala since the international airports shut down on March 23. They included 232 persons to Germany, 268 to the UK, 112 to France, and 115 to Switzerland.

Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Kerala Tourism Minister said the

104 RUSSIAN TOURISTS STRANDED IN INDIA FLY HOME “state government had taken great care to ensure that the extended stay of the foreigners is convenient and hassle-free”.

“The Tourism Department officials were in constant touch with them to extend the best hospitality that Kerala is known for,” he said.

“Providing care to tourists held

up in the state has been a top priority of the government despite the constraints posed by the lockdown. We are happy to note that all the stranded passengers were taken care of in the best possible manner,” Ms. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, said.

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NEWS / AIR LINES

E EMIRATES SETS MULTIFACETED SAFETY AS IT RESUMES OPERATIONS

Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits; Cabin baggage has to be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase, or baby items on board

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mirates has unveiled multi-faceted measures for employee and customer care at every step of the travel journey, redefining safety and hygiene standards on board and the ground. The new measures took effect with the resumption of regularly scheduled passenger flights to nine destinations.

“Emirates is implementing a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the traveller’s journey, to enhance the sanitisation of all touchpoints, and ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees. The risk of catching an infection on an aircraft is already very low, but we have spared no effort in reviewing and redesigning every step, from check-in to disembarkation.

Every measure implemented is an additional reduction in risk and taken altogether, our aim is really to make flying as safe as possible.

“We are working with all the stakeholders in Dubai - including the airport, immigration, health and aviation authorities to implement such measures, and we will continue to review and consult expert advice for any development and changes. We are all aware that we have to adapt to different practices during this pandemic in our day to day activities.

All these measures, in combination with the proactive pandemic management strategies that the UAE has taken, show the seriousness with which we are taking the health and safety of our local and global communities and will give confidence to the public,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer.

Check-in Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits to be given to every passenger upon

check-in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai.

These kits comprise of masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes, and hand sanitiser. The hygiene kits supplement a slew of additional measures already introduced to keep customers safe.

Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees at the airport in Dubai, while only masks are mandated on Emirates flights. On arrival at the airport, thermal scanners at various areas monitor the temperatures of all passengers and employees. Physical distancing indicators have been placed on the ground and in waiting areas to help travellers maintain the necessary distance at checkin, immigration, boarding, and transfer areas.

The airport team has also installed protective barriers at each check-in desk and immigration counter to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during an interaction over the counter.

Transit passengers Customers travelling through Dubai International Airport and transferring onto another flight will go through thermal screening upon disembarkation. Transfer desks at the airport have also been installed with protective barriers as a precautionary measure. Airport staff, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) will direct customers from a safe distance for extra assistance. Customers will be given an additional hygiene kit at the gate before boarding their connecting flight.

Boarding The boarding sequence has been staggered and passengers board by row, from the last row to the first, in small numbers.

The waiting area has also been modified to ensure all customers observe social distancing. Emirates boarding agents, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE), will facilitate the boarding sequence. The boarding gates are deep cleaned and disinfected after the boarding of every flight.

Onboard All cabin crew on board will be fully kitted out in PPEs. To uphold the highest standards of safety and hygiene, Emirates has added a cabin service assistant (CSA) to the crew complement on flights over 1.5 hours. The CSAs will ensure lavatories are cleaned at frequent intervals of every 45 mins.

Each lavatory has been equipped with sanitising soap and hand washing instructions.

To minimise the risk of infection by touch, magazines and print reading material will not be available during this time. In premium classes, single-use menus and wine lists will be provided to passengers. Comfort items such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, headphones, and toys will be hygienically sealed. Emirates will resume its service with hot meals, using high quality, cutlery, and crockery, sterilised before each use.

Cabin baggage has to be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase, 45 or baby items on board.

Customers are reminded to bring pens to fill out Health Declaration Forms required for some destinations.

Emirates’ modern aircraft cabins have been fitted with advanced HEPA air filters which remove 99.97% of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens, and germs from cabin air for a healthier and safer on-board environment. After its journey and on

landing in Dubai, each aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure safety and proper sanitation.

Emirates crew To safeguard its employees, Emirates’ flight and cabin crew are provided with cars for pick up and drop off at their home at the beginning and end of their duty.

Operating crew checks in for their rostered flights in a dedicated crew airport facility before being transported to the aircraft. Layovers in destination cities have been reduced where possible and on long-haul flights, where layovers are necessary, the crew is put up in individual rooms in hotels. On return to Dubai, where all Emirates cabin crew are based, COVID-19 tests are done on all crew. Every crew member has been mandated a 14-day quarantine in their homes after every flight unless they are on duty.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

QATAR AIRWAYS

Q

atar Airways has further enhanced its onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew. The airline is implementing several changes, including the introduction of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for cabin crew while onboard, as well as a modified service that reduces interactions between the passengers and the crew inflight. Cabin crew have already been wearing PPE during flights for a number of weeks, including gloves and face masks.

Cabin crew will wear the PPE suit over their uniforms in addition to safety goggles, gloves and a mask to provide even greater reassurance to customers in addition to enhanced hygienic measures already in place. The airline now requires passengers from Cabin crew will wear disposable, full body protective gear Monday, May 25, to wear face during flights while passengers must wear face coverings coverings inflight and recommends people bring their own for fit and comfort purposes

TO INTRODUCE SAFETY MEASURES ONBOARD FOR PASSENGERS

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February March JUNE2020 2020 2020 Tourism TOURISM Tourism India India INDIA

The Qatar AIrways’s precautionary measures are aimed at reducing interactions between passengers and crew .

With partitions and fully closing doors, Qsuite Business Class offers complete privacy The airline has also applied other additional health and safety measures onboard its flights, Business Class meals will be served on a tray instead of a table set up, and a cutlery wrap will be offered to passengers as an alternative to individual cutlery service, in an effort to reduce contact between the crew and the passengers. While in Economy Class, all meals and cutlery are served sealed as usual. Additionally, large bottles of hand sanitiser will be placed in the galleys and made available for both cabin crew and passengers. All social areas onboard the aircraft have also been closed to observe social distancing measures.

Passengers flying Business Class can avail of the enhanced privacy the Qsuite provides include sliding privacy partitions and fully closing doors creating a private sanctuary. Passengers can also opt to the ‘Do Not Disturb (DND)’ indicator in their private suite, if they wish to limit their interactions with the cabin crew.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “At Qatar Airways, we have introduced these additional safety measures onboard our flights to ensure the contin-

ued health and wellbeing of our passengers and cabin crew, and to limit the spread of coronavirus.

As an airline, we maintain the highest possible hygiene standards to ensure that we can fly people home safely during this time and provide even greater reassurance that safety is our number one priority.

“Seeing as we are still flying the world’s largest international network by operating flights to more than 30 destinations around the world, and aiming to grow our network again in the coming months, these onboard safety measures will assist us in achieving our goals.”

Qatar Airways continues to implement the highest standards of health and safety. Its aircraft are regularly disinfected using cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its home airport, Hamad International Airport, has also invested in deploying disinfectant robots, fully autonomous mobile emitting concentrated UV-C light known to be effective in eliminating majority of infectious microorganisms.

Qatar Airways’ aircraft feature the most advanced air filtration systems, equipped with industrial-size HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial con47 taminants from re-circulated air, providing the most effective protection against infection. All the airline’s onboard linen and blankets are washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are removed of ear foams and rigorously sanitized after each flight.

These items are then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable

gloves.

Meal service utensils and cutlery are washed with detergents and rinsed with demineralized fresh water at temperatures that kill pathogenic bacteria.

Cabin crew have received training on how to minimise their chances of contracting or spreading the infection, are thermally screened before the departure of flights and after their arrival, and are quarantined and tested if any colleagues or passengers on a flight shows any symptoms of infection or test positive for the virus.

In addition, Qatar Airways has revised its distribution of cabin crew on flights, sending two groups on short-haul and medium-haul flights – the first to manage the outbound trip, the second to manage the inbound trip. For long-haul flights, crew members who have to stay overnight in a foreign city can only travel in Qatar Airways-approved transport and must remain in their rooms, limiting human interactions.

In terms of passengers, Qatar Airways is encouraging social distancing where possible, especially on flights with lighter loads. Distancing is also implemented during the boarding process, ensuring passengers are allocated seats far apart from each other. The airline is also encouraging passengers to follow hygiene practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), such as regular hand washing and refraining from touching the face.

Since mid-February, Qatar Airways has helped reunite over one million passengers with their loved ones, operating a mix of scheduled and charter services plus extra sectors.

February JUNE 2020 2020 TOURISM TourismINDIA India

47

FEATURE / OUTBOUND DESTINATION

WARD OFF R CORONA VIRUS BLUES WITH STUNNING COASTAL VIEWS Go USA has launched a six-week interactive virtual road trip on its social networks to enable users to discover the United States like never before

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oman philosopher Seneca once said, “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” In a time of social distancing and quarantine, we invite you to quench your travel quest with some of America’s most beautiful coastal views – no packing required!

Go USA has launched a sixweek interactive virtual road trip on its social networks to enable users to discover the United States like never before. By following along on Facebook and Instagram, audiences can participate in quizzes, surveys, and polls each day to determine the next stops on the road trip as it

covers all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia.

Starting May 8th, the virtual road trip will be cruising through the U.S. territories, including Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. See below for some additional travel inspiration in advance of the trip. Don’t forget to follow along!

Guam With an average temperature that ranges between 26 – 30 degrees celsius, it’s always beach weather on the Pacific Ocean island of Guam, a U.S. territory since 1950. There are only two seasons: dry (December through June) and rainy (July through November). Known as the place “where the U.S.’s day begins,” the island of Guam is, quite literally, the first piece of U.S. land to experience the sunrise each day.

By following along on Facebook and Instagram, audiences can participate in quizzes, surveys, and polls each day to determine the next stops on the road trip as it covers all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia.

Popular among visitors for its breathtaking tropical beauty, Guam is a road-tripper’s para49 dise with new flavors, adventures and discoveries around every turn.

American Samoa Located in the southwest Pacific, midway between Hawai’i and New Zealand, the Samoan archipelago has been inhabited for more than three millennia—

but Europeans only ‘discovered’ it in the 18th century. Late in the 19th century, Samoa was split, and the U.S. absorbed the eastern part.

For culture-loving visitors, American Samoa is a magical experience. Aside from the introduction of Christianity in the 19th century, the culture remains much as it has for 3,000 years.

Aiga, or the extended family, is the core of society. Elders and village chiefs, known as matai, are deeply respected. Samoan is spoken by more than 90 percent of natives. Locals are often seen wearing lavalava (sarong) or puletasi (patterned skirt and tunic), performing a siva (Samoan dance), cooking in an umu (earth oven) and drinking milk directly from a fresh coconut.

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FEATURE / DESTINATIOS

A territory of the United States since 1917, the U.S. Virgin Islands are an exotic group of islands located in the Carib-

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bean Sea. The United States Virgin Islands is comprised of three principal islands - St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas - plus 50

smaller islands, cays and islets that are part of the Caribbean archipelago.

The dreamy land and seascapes have earned the U.S. Virgin Islands the nickname “America’s Paradise.”

A year-round destination that has no real “off” season with an average winter temperature of 28 degrees celsius (slightly higher in the summer), here the weather is almost always beach perfect. The U.S. Virgin Islands are famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

NEWS /APPOINTMENT

GREGG CAREN APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT & CEO OF PHILADELPHIA

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he Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) has announced the appointment of Gregg Caren to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Caren has more than three decades of industry experience and will join the PHLCVB on June 8, 2020.

“Gregg brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership from many facets of our industry, including prior sales, marketing and operations experience working with convention centers, hotels, and CVBs, both domestically and internationally,” said Nick DeBenedictis, PHLCVB chairman. “He is familiar with our customers, our region, and has been a close partner to the organization in his role at ASM Global, the operator of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. As we turn our attention towards recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are confident that Gregg will guide the PHLCVB towards future success on behalf

of Philadelphia.

“We believe that Gregg’s wide range of experience and collaborative nature is a great fit to lead the PHLCVB,” said John McNichol, President, and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, who also served as the chair of the search committee for the president and CEO. “He understands our business, our market, and our customers, and we are confident this will be an easy transition to build upon our recent successes.”

In his new role, Caren will oversee the PHLCVB’s efforts to promote and sell Philadelphia as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, sporting events, overseas travelers, and group tour visitors. He will also serve as the chief liaison for the PHLCVB’s 51 tourism and hospitality partners, including the Pennsylvania Convention Center, as well as national industry associations, and the City of Philadelphia.

“After two decades working with dozens of convention centers and destinations around the globe, I am genuinely excited and honored to represent my hometown of twenty-five years to the rest of the world,” said Caren. “Given the current state of affairs and my love for the greater Phil-

adelphia region, I also have a strong sense of civic responsibility. The PHLCVB drives meaningful economic impact for our city and region. I’m truly looking forward to contributing to Philadelphia’s recovery efforts by leading the extremely talented team at the PHLCVB, and working closely with the partners and stakeholders that help drive our tourism industry forward.”

In addition to his most recent position with ASM Global, Caren also served as the Executive Vice President, Convention Center Division, and Strategic Business Development for SMG. There he supported a global network of convention and exhibition venues in North America, Europe, and Asia, securing event bookings and expanding the company’s footprint. Beginning his career with Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Caren also has served in senior leadership positions with entertainment venues in Atlantic City and at the Valley Forge Convention Center/Sheraton Valley Forge.

Caren has held board and leadership roles with the International Association for Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), the National Association of Consumer Shows (NACS) and the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). He is an alumnus of Pennsylvania State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

ACCOR

LAUNCHES THE CLEANLINESS & PREVENTION ALLSAFE LABEL Some of the most stringent cleaning standards & operational protocols in the world of hospitality and to offer unique medical assistance in hotels worldwide

G

lobal Hospitality leader Accor Group Hotels has partnered with inspection and certification specialist Bureau Veritas to launch a label certifying sanitary-standards compliance in the hospitality and restaurant sectors. Accor hopes the certification scheme will help reassure customers and employ-

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ees that appropriate standards and cleaning protocols have been met as coronavirus restrictions are lifted and businesses reopen.

Apart from this, the hotel major has also partnered with AXA, a global leader in insurance, has announced an innovative strategic partnership to provide medical support to guests across the 5,000 Ac-

cor hotels worldwide.

Accor stated that the health, safety, and well-being of the staff, guests, owners, and partners remain the top priority as the world goes through this unprecedented crisis. The standards would apply to all group hotels and an operational guide be made available “to all stakeholders in the hospitality industry, enabling them to rigorously apply the health and safety recommendations of authorities”.

Accor has been prioritizing the safety of its guests daily for more than 50 years, with their high standards of hygiene and cleanliness applied by all its hotel brands around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of clients and employees as hotels reopen, they have elevated those norms even further by launching a unique cleanliness and prevention label: ALL SAFE. Following the launch of ALL SAFE and the announcement of the strategic partnership with Axa as part of the Group’s recovery plan, Sébastien Bazin reviews the key points of these initiatives: The ALLSAFE global cleanliness & prevention standards have been developed with and vetted by Bu-

As soon as July 2020, this partnership will enable Accor guests to benefit from the highest level of care by the expert medical solutions of AXA Partners, AXA’s international entity specialized in assistance services, travel insurance, and credit protection reau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspections, and certification. All the Group’s hotels must apply these standards and will be audited either

by Accor operational experts or by third-party auditors such as Bureau Veritas to receive this label.

As Accor prepares for the postCOVID-19 rebound, the partnership with AXA insurance will provide a unique medical service complements its overall global recovery plan and is included in the enhanced health and prevention protocols that Accor has put in place notably through its ALL SAFE Cleanliness label in anticipation of the progressive reopening of its hotels across the different regions.

According to Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman, and CEO of Accor group, As the health crisis, we have been experiencing for the past few months stabilizes and the world gradually relaxes its lockdown measures; Heading for a gradual recovery, the Group now needs to have a fresh look at the world, whose mindset and priorities have changed. The future remains uncertain and many questions remain unanswered. But Sébastien Bazin insists: it is up to us, together, to act to answer them, to define them according to what matters. The current crisis invites us to

reinvent ourselves and review our priorities to refocus on the essentials. Authenticity and commitment will be the watchwords of this new turning point.

From his office at the international headquarters (Issy Les Moulineaux) in France, where the progressive deconfinement began on May 11th, Sébastien Bazin looks back over the last 60 days and the lessons we can learn from it. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, Accor has been mobilizing to protect its business and support its employees and partners, notably with the creation of the “ALL Heartist Fund”. We are proud of this initiative, which has been able to help a large number of Hearts heavily impacted by the crisis since its launch.

This distinctive partnership with AXA which we have been working on for several months makes even more sense in today’s context. In an increasingly complex environment, our 300.000 team members on the ground will be able to assist our guests and ensure their safety during their stays, turning our hotels into shelters. This initiative combined with our ALL SAFE enhanced hygiene protocols, will be key to rediscover the Love of Travel in the 5000 Accor properties around the world,.” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman, and CEO of Accor.

“AXA’s ambition is to move from a payer to a partnership with its customers, notably by providing them with innovative solutions in health.

53 This is why AXA has become over the last year a world leader in telemedicine solutions. Partnering with Accor, a worldwide leader in hospitality, is a unique opportunity to enlarge people’s access to our healthcare expertise and solutions. As we are facing an unprecedented health crisis with Covid-19, this ambition has never been more relevant”, said Thomas Buberl, CEO of AXA.

“Welcoming, safeguarding, and taking care of others are at the very heart of what we do and who we are.

The world is full of opportunities, and those opportunities never went away over the last 60 days. They’re waiting for us.

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO Accor group JUNE 2020 TOURISM INDIA

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NEWS / EVENTS

YOGA

AT HOME & WITH FAMILY

I

“My Life – My Yoga” video blogging contest to be global

n the light of the prevailing health emergency in the country due to COVID-19, this year’s International Yoga Day is set to go digital internationally. This year, the event will highlight the utility of Yoga for individuals, to devel-

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op immunity to combat the global pandemic and strengthen the community in managing some of the significant aspects of this crisis, said Dr.Vinay Sahasrabuddhe President, Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) with Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary M/o AYUSH. In view of the highly infectious nature of the virus causing COVID-19, there shall be no mass gatherings.

Hence, this year the Ministry is en-

A new normal requires new habits and some creative thinking about your psychological wellbeing as we celebrates International Yoga Day 2020 on June 21. couraging people to practice Yoga at their homes with participation from the entire family. Dr. Sahasrabuddhe informed that Hon. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has called upon one and all to participate in the “My Life – My Yoga” Video Blogging Contest. He said that through this video blogging competition, the Ministry of AYUSH and ICCR seek to raise awareness about Yoga and to inspire people to prepare for and be-

come active participants in the observation of IDY2020.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said that the announcement of the contest

by Hon. Prime Minister has generated tremendous curiosity and also interest in it. The Ministry of AYUSH is confident that this interest would convert into significant public health gains, as the positive impact of Yoga in the management of many aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic situation is by now well accepted.

The blogging contest has started on various digital platforms such as MyGov.gov.in and shall end on 15th June 2020, after which the jury shall collectively decide and announce the names of the winners. Entries for video competition can be submitted by participants under three categories covering youth (aged under 18 yrs), adults (above 18 years) and yoga professionals, and further, separately for male and female contestants. This makes it a total of six

categories in all. For the India contestants, 1st, 2nd and 3rd awardees shall get a prize worth Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 50,000 and Rs.25,000 for each of the categories. While global prizes shall be for $2500, $1500 and $1000.

During these pandemic days it is a need to maintain our body and mind to be active as people are staying at home and sitting down more than usually before they do. WHO’s Be Active campaign aims to help people Irrespective of age and abilities.

WHO’s Be Active campaign aims to help you do just that - and to have some fun at the same time.

In these times many of us are forced to work remotely full-time, are feeling stuck or isolated, are separated from loved ones, and have no options for regular physical exercise and social activities.

Now YOGA is a need of the hour as our new normal requires new habits and some creative thinking

about psychological well-being. As a powerful tool to deal with the stress of uncertainly and isolation, as well as to maintain physical well-being the United Nations offers yoga resources to its personnel and others on the Corona virus portal’s section on Wellness. The World Health Organization mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world. UNICEF says kids can practice many yoga poses without any risk and get the same benefits that adults do. These benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.

Yoga studios and yoga practitioners have turned to home practice and online yoga resources while the social distancing measures were adopted by countries to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

#StayHealthyAtHome

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55

NEWS / TECHNOLOGY

WEBCARGO AND IBS SOFTWARE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP I n an industry-first initiative, WebCargo, a Hong Kong-headquartered Freightos Group company, and IBS Software announced an out-of-the-box strategic partnership to empower airlines to become fully digital with an easy and cost-effective solution, which would also ensure a faster and smoother movement of supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This move represents two air cargo leaders coming together to help airlines digitize faster by removing the barrier of expensive and cumbersome internal procedures, and would greatly facilitate the faster and more efficient movement of supply chains at a time when the world is grappling with the killer coronavirus.

With the vast majority of bookings in the industry still being made offline, rate management and distribution are not only essential for a truly digital air cargo experience but also critical for a glitch-free and speedy movement of logistics.

IBS Software iCargo platform is used by more than 30 airlines, including American Airlines, Etihad Cargo, IAG Cargo, and Korean Air. This integration with WebCargo provides every airline working with IBS a unique solution to offer real-time bookings to WebCargo’s customers.

WebCargo is used daily for air freight quoting by18,000 monthly 56

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Partnership to provide airlines with out-of-thebox solution for realtime eBooking between WebCargo’s 1,900 global freight forwarders and IBS’ 30+ airline customers

user log-ins across 1,900 forwarders who collectively run nearly a million air searches every month.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world; building agile businesses with digitization at their core is critical to ensure supply chains continue running effectively, especially during crises. With air cargo at the heart of making this happen, only real-time distribution and pricing can help airlines rapidly balance supply and demand. Third-party integrations like this are what will help the air cargo industry leapfrog its digitization efforts and thrive in today’s volatile world.

“The digital evolution across the air freight industry is gaining significant momentum and at IBS Software we are convinced that over the next few years it will transform the way we do business.

Digitalization in the sales and quotation

function facilitated through digital sales channels will bring in greater transparency, improve responsiveness, and bring better value to the end customer. We are delighted to partner with innovative providers such as WebCargo to make such capabilities easily accessible to our airline customers,” said Ashok Rajan, SVP & Head of Cargo & Logistics, IBS Software.

Manel Galindo, CEO of WebCargo, said, “35% of all global imports by value arrive by air, yet the vast majority of airlines don’t have automated prices today. WebCargo has been transmitting air cargo rates globally for over a decade, giving us access to the largest network of airline rates in the world.”

He added: “Partnering with industry innovators like IBS Software is part of our comprehensive strategy to digitize the entire air cargo value chain and make air cargo better and quicker.”

Mr. Ashok Ragan, IBS Software

Mr. Manel Galindo, WebCargo

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