TOP TRAVEL NEWS FOR THE WEEK
Missed out on your daily dose of news? Well, here are the top ten travel news that made headlines this week.
Where some places are still trying to recover from the impact of the global pandemic, some respite can be seen in countries across the nation. With plans of slowing down the pandemic, countries are also aiming that the coming months will allow its international tourists to visit like before.
- Ladakh faces losses due to Coronavirus
One of the most stunning places to visit in India, Ladakh is facing crises due to the impact of Coronavirus. The union territory has been relying on tourism for years to sustain its economy. But sadly due to the lockdown rules that have been imposed, shopkeepers have sustained huge losses and are finding great difficulties to survive during these unpredictable times. The markets that once were visited by a flock of tourists are now left entirely deserted. Especially for people who are related to the tourism industry hotels, tour operators, commercial vehicles, guides, porters and many more are finding it hard to survive this situation. During the months the global pandemic has impacted was the months when Ladakh saw a maximum of its tourists visit from all over the country. This impact has not been borne by the medical and liquor industries. It is only the people that earn their bread and butter from travel and tourism that are facing the real brunt. Coronavirus has impacted almost forty per cent of companies as they have been now shut for more than three to six months. While around 35.7 per cent may go for a temporary shutdown, according to a survey. Its findings show that 81 per cent travel and tourism companies have lost their revenue up to 100 per cent while 15 per cent of the companies have witnessed it slide up to 75 per cent.
- Mexico ready to open its borders
Mexico has been quiet for some time now due to the ongoing effects of the global pandemic. But a little ray of light can finally be seen for the country. A little birdie suggests that despite the number of cases increasing day by day Mexico is ready to ease the restrictions. As the city is finding it hard to survive this lockdown period they have decided to ease restrictions in some parts of the country despite the increasing rate of cases it is facing. Most of these issues are occurring in places around Mexico City. The country has over a population of around 21 million residents that makes it one of the world’s most populated cities. However, it is being reported that a major part of Mexico has not been affected by the virus. Hence, a careful plane has been thought to execute the releasing of the lockdown phase. The plan states the opening of the country reopens region-by-region, based on the number of local cases. Currently, around three hundred municipalities around the country known as municipalities of hope, have already begun to open
- European air bridges for safe travels
Ever heard of travel bubbles or air bridges? While most of us have given up hope of a perfect holiday, some countries have been fighting hard to make 2020 a year of hope. Many countries are trying hard to start travelling soon so that some life can seep back into their economies. Many countries are planning to open their borders and welcome tourists from far away. The Europen continent recently has seen the lockdown to be lifted this has made them think of the possibility of establishing special travel corridors or travel bubbles. The idea behind these concepts is to allow people from countries with low levels of infection to travel freely. This will also remove the requirement of enduring a 14-day quarantine at any European destination. NAtions such as Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have already started creating a Baltic travel bubble that allows citizens to travel among the three states without having to self-isolate on arrival. It is also to be noted that these three countries have managed to report only a dozen deaths.
- Japan bans India and a hundred other nations
As the entire world right now contemplates to whether the lockdown period to be extended or to be uplifted. Just like that Japan has decided to lift the nationwide state of emergency. The Prime Minister of Japan has declared the country’s unique approach to tackle the deadly spread of the Coronavirus has led the country to contain its spread within a minor span of six weeks. Backing their decision Japan has also planned to impose strict entry restrictions for travellers that wish to visit Japan from various countries that have been severely affected by the Coronavirus. The list consists of over ten countries out of which India is also among the banned countries. As per sources the countries that Japan has included as of May 27th include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa, El Salvador, Ghana, Guinea, and Argentina. The country has further banned the entry of foreign citizens who visited any of the banned countries during the past fourteen days. On 22nd May, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued travel warnings for these 11 countries. He further urged Japanese citizens to avoid any travelling to these countries. This latest addition of eleven countries to the entry ban list has taken the tally to 111 countries that are banned from entering the country.
- Bali ready to again be the favourite beach spot for International tourists
Out of all the disparity that engulfs around the world right now, some positive news comes from one of the favourite beach destinations in the world. Bali is planning to start welcoming tourists across the globe from the month of October this year. The dates haven’t been decided by the Bali government as of now. But it plans to open anywhere between the months of June and October. The Secretary of the Ministry, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani stated in an official statement said that ‘if the infection curve continued to improve, the tourism ministry is looking to revitalize destinations and do promotional work for some parts of the country, including Bali, between June and October’. Another official of the Bali government has stated that the government is working rigorously to prepare and plan for Bali to reopen its doors to the world. The government is also hopeful that since it working in nearing a flattening curve and a reduction in coronavirus cases, Bali will soon reopen by the month of July, which will be faster and much before than any other regions in Indonesia.
- False forest fires in Uttarakhand
How many of you have scrolled through Instagram and came across the news of forest fires in Uttarakhand? Might have saddened you for a minute as the world is already going through a major crisis so anything else just makes it much worse. Many news channels and social media pages displayed sheer sadness over these forest fires. But all that you see on the web is not true. Various officials from concerned departments have refuted such claims stating that massive fires do not occur in Uttarakhand forests. According to news agencies, misleading information is being shared on social media where photos of entire trees burning can be seen. The officials have also stated that such forest fires take place in countries like Canada, the United States, and Australia. Forest fires generally remain restricted to the ground which majorly affects grass & bushes. When the monsoon arrives, everything goes back to as it was before. So far, the fire has affected 111 hectares that have caused a loss of Rs 3 Lakh rupees. They also plan to file a Police complaint against such rumours.
- Himachal Pradesh government plans to become a quarantine destination
The Himachal Pradesh government is planning to become a quarantine destination for the benefit of the people of this country. The government plans to implement this in order to boost back tourism into the state. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh stated that when the number of cases of COVID-19 infection reduces in Himachal Pradesh, and people from other parts of India are told to go under quarantine for two weeks or so, they can be welcomed in the state to spend their quarantine period. Tourism is one of the major sources of income for the state of Himachal Pradesh, hence if all goes well then this way the state would be able to redeem back its loss period. However, some people are not in favour of this decision. Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association (SHRA) president, Sanjay Sood has said that if Himachal turns into a quarantine centre for tourists, it may affect the arrival of regular tourists to the state. Reportedly, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has allowed non-AC buses to run from June 1 but at only sixty per cent capacity. But the night-time bus services will remain suspended for the time being.
- New Zealand preparing for domestic travel
Just a day back New Zealand successfully discharged its last coronavirus positive patient from the hospital. Now the country is successfully marching towards its post lockdown phase. One of the main concerns for the New Zealand government lies its need to revive its tourism. New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has suggested a four-day workweek which could help give the people of New Zealand enough free-time to travel within the country which will help in boosting domestic tourism. However, New Zealand is yet to reopen its border despite its lockdown being lifted last week. The prime minister of the country recently stated that sixty per cent of New Zealand’s economy depends on tourism. Therefore to help the economy survive she has suggested that the citizens should travel domestically in order to support the tourism industry. A further suggestion has been given to employers to let their employees work only four days a week. This will help them take some time to travel around the country. However, this has been left to be decided by offices for their employees.
- 9. Job crises loom over China, India and the USA
A global job crisis looms over the heads of employees working in the tourism sector. The number is being estimated to being around more than 100 million. Countries such as India, China and the United States have been said to among the hardest hit countries over the world. In the year 2019, the markets accounted for 10.4% of global gross domestic product, and nearly 10% of jobs. But the coronavirus changed that in just a few months, data gathered by LearnBonds revealed. The government has been telling the government to stay at home to help reduce the onset of the global pandemic. This has resulted in the global travel and tourism industry to be completely stopped. Many industries have taken a big hit to their finances. This has further forced companies to cut their expenses and lay off workers as they are no longer viable enough to bear the effects of these unforeseen circumstances. Asia is one of the most affected regions in the world. It has been estimated that it could cause a loss of up to 63.4 million jobs in the travel and tourism sector. On the other hand, Europe ranked second with 13 million estimated job losses. As for North America, Africa, and Latin America job loss could be around 8.2 million, 7.6 million and 4.7 million, respectively. It is also being said that the Middle East and the Caribbean are forecast to face the lowest employment loss, with 2.6 million and 1.2 million lost workers.
- 10. No need to leave the middle seat empty. says CDC
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recently stated that most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights. According to its Coronavirus guidelines, the centre has recommended to not follow any social distancing between two passengers inside a plane or keeping the middle seat unoccupied. It has further said that most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on aeroplanes. However, it has also said that the air travellers were not risk-free especially in the time of the global pandemic and has recommended people to avoid it as much as possible. Due to the effects of coronavirus the air travel has come to a serious halt bringing down air traffic by ninety per cent. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also recommended a 14 days quarantine for all travellers coming from overseas. The CDC has conveyed concern over how security lines and airport terminals may bring people in contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Social distancing is also difficult on crowded flights as you may have to sit near others for a duration of some hours. This may increase your risk and expose you to the virus that causes COVID-19.
