According to a recent analysis by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) on COVID-19’s impact on the meetings industry, 95.9 per cent of the confirmed meetings in Asia Pacific scheduled for 2020 were not affected by the virus outbreak. This accounted for 1,021 of the 1,065 meetings confirmed. The analysis also states that only 44 meetings scheduled for Asia Pacific were affected by COVID-19, accounting for only 4.1 per cent of the total. While 34 of these meetings were postponed, 10 were either relocated or cancelled. Outside Asia Pacific, two meetings in Europe and one in Africa are postponed. “We believe the international meetings industry can play its part in finding a solution to the current COVID-19 outbreak. International meetings represent the best possible vehicle for addressing this and many other global issues. As an industry, we must demonstrate resilience and confidence by maintaining to the greatest extent possible our ongoing schedule of activities – and where this is not possible, by working collaboratively to develop alternatives that help maintain the exchange of information and insights that account for the benefits we believe to result from this kind of engagement,” says ICCA President, James Rees.

CAPA India’s preliminary estimates for the near-term impact on the Indian industry states that as a result of the significant reduction in flying, Indian carriers may initially ground around 150 aircraft (including almost all of the international fleet), with this number expected to increase as more domestic operations are curtailed over the coming weeks. Based on the latest cancellations, international capacity is currently estimated to be down by 60-70 per cent year-on-year, although the situation is evolving on a daily basis. India has banned entry by all foreign nationals (with some very limited exceptions) until at least April 15, 2020. Foreigners account for around 25 per cent of international air travellers to/from India. However, India has also blocked the entry of its own nationals from the European Union and several other countries, and has advised its citizens not to travel overseas. If the decline in traffic continues to be severe, the majority of the fleet could be grounded by April.

Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and President of HRAWI, has said that the association’s hospitality institute has launched new courses that were to start from March 2020. He says, “We have an institute called FIHM, which is short for FHRAI IHM in Greater Noida and keeping the demand for shorter courses in mind and so many new trends emerging, we have introduced short-term courses on FOSTAC and FSSAI that involve skill development. This is also something that the government is pushing. We have these courses ready and they were due to start immediately but now we have kept it on hold because of the unfortunate coronavirus situation. We will start them as soon as it comes under control. Apart from short-term courses, we also have the regular courses but we have stressed in these short courses as that’s the need of the hour. There will be guest lecturers and visiting facility for this as well.”

The Tourism Ministry of Thailand plans to return registration deposits to local tour operators amounting to 1.4 billion baht. The Tourism Department has this budget collected from inbound, outbound and domestic tour companies paying 50,000-200,000 baht per licence. To implement the policy, each company will receive 50-70% of the deposit back to help solve financial stagnation.  

The city of Venice is enjoying crystal clear waters in its world-famous canals due to a lack of debris from tourists and near-zero boat traffic under Italy’s ongoing coronavirus lockdown. The clear waters are a tiny bright spot in the beleaguered but beautiful city, whose economy has been virtually wiped out since tourists fled the area beginning last month. Since 9 March, the city like the rest of Italy has been a so-called ‘red zone’. That has had a drastic effect on Venice’s normally polluted waters, where speedboats churn up mud, and discarded plastic and other garbage from tourists float in its canals.

As the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed overseas daily have surpassed those within China, the draconian measures that appear to have quelled the outbreak domestically – particularly outside Hubei – are gradually being relaxed. With many provinces having downgraded their emergency response levels, China is slowly – and cautiously – returning to normal life. Apart from dining out, people are also gradually regaining their ability to travel. Many provinces and cities have steadily resumed their public transportation.

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is planning to promote night tour programs in cooperation with local governments to help the tourism industry recover at the earliest possible date, once the pandemic comes to an end. The organization said Korea has a good environment for developing night tours as it is known for its safe streets and 24-hour stores. In mid-February, the KTO began researching the night tour content of each region, with an aim of choosing and announcing 100 recommended programs on April 20. The KTO plans to produce a night tour directory in Korean in mid-April and will also host a night tour international forum in June.

According to a recent letter by Tourism Authority by Thailand, “TAT would like to take this special opportunity to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation for your constant support in making Thailand a preferred destination for Indians. We have seen a healthy growth and increase in the number of travellers from India to continue with the success. We are committed to making travel and tourism of Thailand the most economically promising, environmentally sustainable and culturally vibrant in the years to come. You will agree that this year has been the most challenging one for the tourism industry. However, as with previous challenges the tourism industry will prove its resilience by not only overcoming the repercussions of the current pandemic but also emerged stronger than it has ever been. COVID-19 has brought us together as one. In a time of crisis there always opportunities and TAT stands with you to explore all that we can do for travellers and friends now and in the future. We are proud to be a part of such a great community of dedicated people who are patient, compassionate and full of hope for a brighter tomorrow. It is as much our mission as it is yours to bring joy to both travellers and to those we work with. The past six decades has truly been historic and enjoyable for us which would not have been possible without your friendship we look forward to continuing this journey with you as we make Amazing Thailand the preferred destination for everyone.”

Switzerland Tourism invites members of India’s travel trade for participate in its exclusive webinar Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city. Zurich is a cosmopolitan city and is abuzz with activities, experiences, and countless events, day and night. The webinar will take place today at 3:00pm and will highlight popular attractions and experiences that can be explored in and around Zurich. Participants get the opportunity to learn about the various products as well as get the latest news and updates from Zurich. Travel partners who attend all the webinars also stand a chance of winning a trip to Switzerland. For more information, please contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

According to FAITH, Travel and Tourism industry is hit economically globally and in India due to outbreak of coronavirus with many prospective domestic and foreign tourists cancelling their travel plans. This global pandemic has prompted the Indian government to impose increasingly tough restrictions on travel resulting in further drop in hotel occupancies since the imposition of the ban. It is estimated that as a result of this pandemic, Indian Tourism industry is looking at pan India bankruptcies, closure of businesses and mass unemployment. It is believed that around 70% out of a total estimated workforce of 5.5 crores (direct and indirect) could get unemployed (~ 3.8 crores).  This effect of job losses and layoffs has already begun throughout the country.   A large % of total tourism business activity of India, which is estimated at $ 28 billion+ in forex and upwards of ₹ 2 lakh crores in domestic tourism activity will be at economic risk through the year. Thus, in excess of ₹ 5 lakh crores of direct tourism industry and almost double that of total economic activity is at risk.   In this backdrop, The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), the umbrella body of the industry has written a letter to Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to highlight the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism industry and seek his intervention in terms of financial relief for the industry to grapple with the situation.   Some of the key industry asks that are highlighted in the letter include  :   Twelve months moratorium on EMIs of principle and interest payments on loans and working capital from Financial Institutions (both banking & non-banking). Double working capital limits and …