Tourism

Saturday, August 22nd 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Can the cruise industry really recover from coronavirus?

By Liz Sharples and Kokho Jason Sit (*) – On Sunday the first major cruise ship to take to the Mediterranean in almost five months sailed out of the Italian city of Genoa. Passengers on the MSC Grandiosa were tested for coronavirus before stepping on board. The ship – which has brought in an array of strict measures to limit the spread of the virus – will stop at three Italian ports and the Maltese capital Valletta in a seven-day voyage. But will these measures be enough to help the sector survive the pandemic? A lot is riding on the success of this Italian cruise.
Friday, August 21st 2020 - 08:15 UTC
Tourists kicked off Mediterranean cruise for not abiding the vessel's protocols

A family of tourists was kicked off a Mediterranean cruise after leaving their organized excursion to see the sights on their own, violating the ship's new COVID-19 regulations, the company said on Thursday.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Airlines prepared to accept passengers with a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours before travel

Airlines and airports have asked a United Nations-led task force meeting on Monday to recommend that countries accept a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of travel as an alternative to quarantines that have decimated demand for travel, according to a document seen by news agency Reuters.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:44 UTC
Spain closes nightclubs and bans drinking and smoking in outdoor public areas

Spanish authorities ordered the closure of nightclubs, banned drinking in outdoor public areas, and smoking when keeping a safe distance from people is impossible, among other measures imposed on Friday to try to stem a coronavirus resurgence.
Friday, August 14th 2020 - 10:14 UTC
More pressure on Cuba: all private charter flights with the US suspended

The US administration has suspended all private charter flights between the United States and Cuba, to increase economic pressure on Havana. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that “the Castro regime uses tourism and travel funds to finance its abuses and interference in Venezuela”.
Friday, August 14th 2020 - 07:44 UTC
Airbnb restricting under 25 from renting entire homes to reduce rowdy parties

Airbnb said on Friday it is restricting the ability of people under 25 in Britain, France, and Spain from renting entire homes via its platform in order to reduce unauthorized parties and ensure safety.
Thursday, August 13th 2020 - 07:15 UTC
Main cruise lines estimate monthly losses of one billion dollars

Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings are burning through over US$1 billion per month without revenue-generating cruises in service.
Thursday, August 13th 2020 - 07:09 UTC
Italy's cruise industry begins sailing in the Mediterranean on August 15

Italy's cruise industry is preparing to sail again in Mediterranean waters, hoping to help jumpstart the country's economy while restoring the reputation of the beleaguered global sector. MSC Cruises, a privately owned company based in Geneva, will resume operations with two departures from Italy this month, it said over the weekend.
Wednesday, August 12th 2020 - 08:10 UTC
Gibraltar wins de Med Cruise Award for its commitment during the pandemic

In the second edition of the annual MedCruise Awards, Gibraltar has won the award for the “Western Mediterranean MedCruise port showing the greatest commitment during the pandemic”.
Tuesday, August 11th 2020 - 08:19 UTC
Sunbathers in Rio beaches will have to reserve spaces through a mobile app

Sunbathers wanting to visit Rio de Janeiro's famous beaches, despite Brazil's raging COVID-19 epidemic, could soon be able to reserve socially-distant sand space through a mobile app, the city's mayor said on Monday.