The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is moving quickly to draft strategy to support the Royal Thai Government’s third phase of easing business activities and restrictions after its most recent announcement on June 1, which is effective immediately. The relaxation helps some tourism-related businesses while other venue operators must wait and continue to follow guidelines issued by the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. Moreover, all international flights to Thailand are still banned until 30 June, 2020, due to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)’s announcement. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, “TAT is working actively with our tourism partners and other industry partners to monitor and identify opportunities.  TAT has formulated a strategy to support domestic tourism first and learn from experience, so that Thai tourists feel confident about their first travel choices around the Kingdom after the situation of the COVID-19 eases.” To begin with (phase one) TAT has identified basic truths of the new reality moving forward: To restart, the tourism industry must be under disease control measures until a vaccine is developed to prevent this disease. This will affect and change all behaviour and patterns of traditional travel and tourism activities starting from the aviation experience. Phase two and three begin once operational level products are functioning and a proper reduced carrying capacity is established so phase two can commence after international flights are allowed again. 

In the first phase of ‘unlock’ across the country, Jairam Thakur, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has declared that all temples, restaurants and hotels in the state will reopen after June 8. The catch, however, is that these places will be open only for those from within the state and not for those coming from outside Himachal.  Claiming that tourism in the state has been severely hit owing to the extended lockdown, the chief minister added that now they shall reopen the state for business, a large section of which depends on tourism for its livelihood. Citing the hospitality sector, he said that reopening of hotels is necessary.

Launched in February 2020, the SG Clean campaign aims to raise the hygiene standards and transform cleanliness level of public spaces and rally premises operators to take ownership by adopting the SG Clean Quality Mark. Under the campaign, the SG Clean quality mark is being rolled out to various sectors, covering premises with high human footfalls including hotels, tourist attractions, shopping malls and F&B outlets. Over the next few months, more than 37,000 businesses within the tourism and lifestyle sectors will be encouraged to sign up for the SG Clean Quality Mark. To obtain this mark, premises operators will have to pass audits that certify that their premises have adhered to sector-specific sanitation and hygiene checklists and advisories. SG Clean certified tourism establishments can be identified by the certificate, posters, decals and badges.

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture, has said that the guidelines for travellers, monuments, guides, hotels & restaurants, tour operators and other stakeholders will be released in 2-3 days by Ministry of Health, and its expanded form will be released by MOT by 8th June, 2020. The Minister shared the information while addressing members of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

Sharing his view on what’s to come for the M!CE business, Rajdev Bhattacharya, General Manager, Global Travel & Hospitality Services and Way2go, Digital Operations & Platforms for Wipro, says, “With virtual meetings here to stay, corporates will cut down on international travel in the short term, at least till April 2021.” Speaking at the 3rd TravTalk Digital Conclave, he added that this meant that travel agencies would also have to become digital.

Venkataramani Sumantran has been appointed as an Independent Director on the Board of IndiGo, for a period of five years. He is currently Chairman and Managing Director of Celeris Technologies and has held this position since 2014. Sumantran has earlier served as Executive Vice-Chairman of Hinduja Automotive, UK; Executive Director of Tata Motors; and Director, Advanced Engineering in GM-Europe, among other roles.

According to a joint survey report by Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, consumers have expressed an interest in a personal touch to their travel booking experience, with 58% opting to purchase holidays through retail outlets or home service (38% retail and 20% home visits). This was followed by 40% opting for online channels (website/App) and 12% stating preference for video chat. Over 2500 consumers across India participated in the survey.

An IATA survey reveals that once the pandemic has subsided and it is declared safe to travel, the one thing that would make passengers feel safer would be being able to see the sanitisation process being performed throughout the aircraft. Providing more insights, the survey also reveals that travellers would be equally convinced of the safety of being in an airport if they’re able to see for themselves its sanitisation.

Though the occupancy rate across hotels in key cities of India has been plummeting for some time now, the sector is hopeful that by Q4 this year, they will be above 40%. This was revealed by HVS General Manager’s Sentiment Survey, where more than 53% respondents said that occupancies in Q4 could be anywhere between 40-50%, maybe even more. In fact, over 42% of the General Managers surveyed believe that occupancy would be close to or higher than 50%, while 46% of the General Managers believe that occupancy will remain below 40%.

CovidSMART is DDP Group’s latest initiative, a programme designed by WHO-certified professionals and ISO-trained individuals to promote safe travel and help build in tour operators & travel agents the confidence to succeed in this industry, once again. To access the programme, you can log on to www.covidElearn.com. Key learnings would include protecting your business during COVID-19, dealing with emergencies and anxiety related to the pandemic and its impact, and the importance of a PPE kit. SanJeet, Director, DDP Group, says, “All our initiatives during this pandemic have been our way of looking after our tourism industry and this is another such programme. Our aim is that every travel professional should accept this fast-paced change, be prepared and be ready to drive tourism in the future. By introducing CovidSMART, we hope to put India in the driver’s seat. Now, it is up to the travel industry to encash this opportunity. I encourage the industry to convey to their partners as well as the Indian travellers that they will now be dealing with a COVID-19 certified specialist, who understands and will guide them through this jungle.”