Tourism

• Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:54 UTC

  Strict measures among essential personnel even in virus free Antarctica bases

  

  As the planet battles the seemingly inexorable spread of the coronavirus, Antarctica remains the only Covid-19-free continent - thanks in the main to strict security and not a little luck. The natural isolation of the frozen and desolate expanse has been taken to new extremes since the WHO declared a pandemic on March 11.

• Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:07 UTC

  Thermal scanning for people attending masses in St Peter's and other papal basilicas

  

  People attending Masses in St. Peter's and other papal basilicas in Rome will have their temperature checked as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Vatican said on Thursday.

• Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:04 UTC

  Massive €18 billion support for France's tourism sector, “rescuing it is a national priority”

  

  France announced measures worth €18 billion (US$19 billion) to support its tourism sector, which has been hammered by the COVID-19 crisis and resulting shutdown in beaches, leisure attractions, and hotels.

• Thursday, May 14th 2020 - 08:05 UTC

  EU plans to revive the air travel industry; Europeans consumers have the right to cash refunds

  

  Airlines will not have to leave seats empty, but passengers flying in the European Union will have to wear masks on planes and in airports under plans to revive the travel industry.

• Tuesday, May 12th 2020 - 08:40 UTC

  Colombia's national airline, Avianca, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court.

  

  Avianca is the second-largest carrier in Latin America, but its passenger operations have been grounded since March because of coronavirus. It said the pandemic had cut more than 80% of its income, and it was struggling with high fixed costs.

• Monday, May 11th 2020 - 19:49 UTC

  End of nightmare for Greg Mortimer cruise crew members who begin their long journey back home

  

  Finally a month after passengers were rescued and medically evacuated to Australia from Uruguay, the 89 crew which remained trapped in the coronavirus infested “Greg Mortimer” cruise have started their long return home.

• Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:59 UTC

  International tourist arrivals could plunge 60/80% in 2020, the worst since 1950, WTO forecasts

  

  The number of international tourist arrivals could plunge by 60 to 80% in 2020 owing to the coronavirus, the World Tourism Organisation, WTO, said on Thursday, revising its previous forecast sharply lower.

• Wednesday, May 6th 2020 - 09:44 UTC

  IATA contrary to leaving aircraft middle seats empty: suggests wearing masks

  

  The body representing global airlines came out against leaving middle seats empty on aircraft on Tuesday, as debate intensifies over how to get airlines flying while respecting social-distancing rules in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

• Tuesday, May 5th 2020 - 06:41 UTC

  Australia and New Zealand considering a “travel bubble” between the two countries

  

  New Zealand and Australia are discussing the potential creation of a “travel bubble” between the two countries, sources said on Monday, even as Australia reported its highest number of coronavirus cases in two weeks.

• Saturday, April 25th 2020 - 08:58 UTC

  COVID-19 K.O. for travel and tourism industry: 100 million jobs on the line

  

  The Travel & Tourism sector faces a staggering 100 million jobs losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, WTTC. The startling figure, based on research from WTTC, has increased by over 30% in the last four weeks, indicating the sheer crisis affecting the sector.