Tourism

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.
Friday, April 24th 2020 - 07:53 UTC
More COVID-19 infections on board Costa Atlantica, docked in Japan for repairs

Fourteen more coronavirus infections have been confirmed on the Italian cruise ship Costa Atlantica docked for repairs in Japan, a local official said on Thursday, bringing the total to at least 48.
Wednesday, April 22nd 2020 - 07:49 UTC
South Georgia remains free of COVID-19; Grytviken closed to visitors until next August

South Georgia remains free from COVID-19. The government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, GSGSSI, have implemented strict procedures to minimize the risk of exposure to the staff at South Georgia, and work continues in as normal a fashion as possible on the island.
Tuesday, April 21st 2020 - 13:36 UTC
“Greg Mortimer” crew members and medical chief officer demand repatriation: “we also have a home country”

The last cruise of “Greg Mortimer” when it left Ushuaia on March 15th was an invitation to disaster, and now “we are asking for a humanitarian corridor to take us, as they did with passengers, to our home countries”, said Mauricio Usme, chief medical officer on board the Aurora Expeditions vessel.
Tuesday, April 21st 2020 - 09:56 UTC
Spain authorizes Italian 1,800 world tour cruise passengers to disembark in Barcelona

Hundreds of passengers from an Italian cruise ship disembarked in Barcelona on Monday after five weeks without setting foot on land because of coronavirus restrictions. Since the ship left the northern Italian city of Venice on Jan 5 for a round-the-world tour, no coronavirus case has been found onboard.