Travel and Recreation News 2

 Asia prioritizes opening up for tourism Although the Covid-19 epidemic is still complicated in many Asian countries, many governments in the region are developing "scenarios" to reopen the economy with the motto of safely adapting to the epidemic. Tourism is a priority area of ​​the economic recovery strategy. Phuket is open to all fully vaccinated visitors. Photo: Reuters The Thai Government's Center for Handling the Covid-19 Situation (CCSA) has announced a plan to reopen the "country of smiles" within the next few months. Under the plan, Thai provinces will reopen in four phases, according to factors of tourism revenue, geography and Covid-19 prevention measures. The pilot phase in October, including the "sandbox" model in tourist destinations Phuket and Samui was implemented from July and August, reopening the provinces of Phuket, Surat Thani (Koh islands). Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao), Phang Nga (the coast of Khao Lak and Koh Yao) and Krabi (...

Singapore and South Korea launch tourism corridor from November 15 Singapore continues to expand its non-quarantine travel (VTL) program by adding a destination to South Korea from November 15, after starting to implement it with Germany and Brunei from the beginning of September. Singapore's "Vaccinated Travel Lane" - VTL (roughly translated: "Vaccinated Travel Corridor") program allows people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel without being quarantined. Mr. Gan Kim Yong - Singapore's Minister of Trade and Industry said that the success of VTL with Germany and Brunei is the basis for opening VTL with Korea. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore and South Korea were among each other's top travel destinations. Source: AFP According to VTL between Singapore and South Korea, vaccinated travelers who will travel between Changi Airport (Singapore) and Incheon Airport (Korea) only have to undergo PCR testing without isolation and are not req...

 Argentina urges MERCOSUR to promote tourism Argentina's Minister of Tourism and Sports Matías Lammens has called on member states of the South American Common Market (MERCOSUR - including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) to promote tourism activities to support the process. reactivation of the regional economy in the post-Covid-19 era. Ushuaia city, a famous tourist destination of Argentina. (Photo: Touropia) According to Argentina's Minister of Tourism and Sports, by the time the Covid-19 epidemic is over, the demand for tourism to discover nature will increase, while countries in Latin America have the advantage of ecotourism. thai. Emphasizing that the tourism industry must become one of the engines of economic development in the region, Lammens affirmed that MERCOSUR member countries need to develop a common plan to promote tourism products in markets. different, like Europe, China and America. The Argentine government has reached a $33 million deal with the Inter-...

 Cuba opens its borders and relaxes entry requirements to welcome tourists In November, Cuba will open its borders and relax entry requirements to welcome tourists, after the country vaccinated 80% of its population with Covid-19 with a domestic vaccine. From November 15, visitors over 12 years old entering the country only have to bring a certificate of vaccination or PCR test. Destinations in Cuba are preparing to welcome visitors. Hotels arrange doctors and other Covid-19 prevention measures. Varadero coastal resort has partially opened, welcoming both domestic and international guests. Life is also returning to normal in the old town of Habana, the capital of Havana, which is preparing to welcome tourists back after 19 months. Cuba opens its borders and relaxes entry requirements to welcome tourists. Photo: Reuters Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Garcia said: “10 international airports are ready for this round of reopening, with Cuba forecast to begin a recovery phase. Cuba mainta...

 The US tourism industry is about to "revive" after 18 months of closure The US government will spend $ 314 million to support 34 states and the District of Columbia to revive the tourism and travel industry; at the same time as lifting travel restrictions for foreign visitors from 33 countries. International arrivals to the US fell 75.5% in 2020, and spending from foreign visitors fell 64.3%, or about $150 billion. Areas along the U.S. border with Mexico and Canada were hardest hit, as the tourism industry relies on foreign visitors. Starting from November 8, travelers from 33 countries can enter the US provided that they have received 2 doses of the vaccine (approved by the US CDC) and tested negative for COVID-19 before departure. Among the 33 countries are important US markets such as China, Europe, India, Mexico and Canada. Visitors from Canada arrived in the US on November 8, after the US opened its doors to international visitors. Source: Reuters The US Department of C...

Laos will experiment with welcoming Korean tourists Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh said that the plan to reopen the country in the near future will apply appropriate measures, taking steps to both prevent the Covid-19 epidemic, restore the economy and integrate the region. area. Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh. Source: Radio Laos Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh emphasized at the second session of the IX Lao National Assembly that some neighboring countries have begun to reopen. Therefore, Laos is also conducting research and developing a strategic plan to gradually reopen, starting with localities that are eligible to be ready for opening and ensure that the disease does not spread. spread widely. According to Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh, if reopening tourism in Luangprabang province, this locality must prepare all aspects such as hotels, tourist attractions, vaccination certificates, plans and isolation time for arrivals. tourism. In the near future, the L...

 Thailand launches international tourist attraction campaign for 2022 Thailand's 2022 international tourist attraction campaign aims to fill 50% of hotel rooms in key provinces. Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the Thai cabinet has approved the campaign proposed by the ministry to revive the local tourism industry. "The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will oversee the campaign to attract foreign tourists to Thailand, with government and private budgets. The campaign will focus on Chiang Mai, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima and Ayutthaya. "- said Mr. Phiphat. Foreign tourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on November 1. Source: Reuters The head of TAT - Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said that the goal of the 2022 campaign is to fill 50% of hotel rooms, in the above provinces. Airlines and hotels will collaborate to create promotional packages. The Middle East and Indian markets will be exploited by Thailand in 2022. In addition,...

 Indonesia to host World Tourism Day 2022 The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has just decided to choose the Indonesian tourist island of Bali as the venue for activities to celebrate World Tourism Day 2022. The decision to choose Bali as the venue for activities to celebrate World Tourism Day 2022 was made at the 24th session of the World Tourism Organization General Assembly, which took place over the weekend in Madrid, Spain Dental. On this occasion, Nglangeran tourist village in the ancient capital of Yogyakarta of Indonesia was honored as one of the best tourist villages in the world, along with 43 other villages of 32 countries. Bali (Indonesia) will hold World Tourism Day in 2022 (Photo: Travel Daily) At the meeting, Indonesia pointed out the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on employees working in the tourism industry, especially female workers. In a statement, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry affirmed that the country pays great attention to the global tourism developmen...

 Laos will welcome international tourists from the beginning of 2022 Laos has just approved a plan to open a "Tourism Green Zone" to welcome foreign tourists in January next year. This is part of the process of reopening the country after a long period of closure due to the impact of Covid-19. To ensure safe tourism during the Covid-19 period as well as contribute to economic recovery, generate income for people, service providers as well as increase revenue for the country, the Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control Laos has approved the plan to open "Tourism Green Zone" and start welcoming international tourists from January 2022. Accordingly, tourists entering Laos for tourism will have to meet a number of conditions as follows, book a package tour in the "Tourism Green Zone", declare information and travel schedule through the online system; buy Covid insurance; have a certificate of vaccination with full doses and a negative test certificate fo...

 Russian tourism industry adapts to the pandemic The Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years has greatly affected and changed the global tourism business, including in Russia. New waves of the epidemic pose a requirement to adapt not only for tour operators and businesses operating in the tourism industry, but also for Russian tourists themselves. Russian domestic tourism boomed during the pandemic. (Photo: Thanh The) As in many countries, international travel restrictions because of Covid-19 have boosted domestic tourism in Russia. Elena Shelekhova - press officer of the travel planning service OneTwoTrip said that in 2021, about 95% of all air tickets booked will be for domestic routes to Russia. According to Elena Shelekhova, from the middle of summer and autumn of 2020, when travel restrictions are eased, the demand for domestic tourism in Russia increases rapidly. OneTwoTrip representative emphasized that the company's statistics show that tourism demand in Russia has exceed...