3 island resorts in Seychelles that have re-opened after COVID

Key Take Away

 With the easing of travel restrictions in Seychelles, the country has been working to welcome its first guests after the outbreak of COVID-19. As part of its cautious approach to re-opening, only visitors going to island resorts will be allowed into the country. Seychelles News Agency (SNA )takes a look at island resorts that have been given the green light by the local health authorities and tourism department to start welcoming visitors.

Cousine Island

A small granitic island located west of Praslin, the second-most populated island, Cousine was the first island resort to get approval from the authorities.

Fregate Island Private

Located 55 kilometers east of Seychelles' most populated island of Mahe.

North Island

Located among the inner granitic islands of Seychelles, North Island features 11 private guest villas

For More Information Click below:

m.seychellesnewsagency.com//articles/13070/+island+resorts+in+Seychelles+that+have+re-opened+after+COVID

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts To Launch Ozen Reserve Vittaveli in October 2020

Key Take Away

The young and successful Indian Ocean hospitality group, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, has announced the launch of Ozen Reserve Vittaveli in South Male Atoll, Maldives; establishing its uber-luxe brand – The Ozen Collection. The resort will debut in October 2020.

The jewel of the crown, “Royal Reserve”, will offer 3,500 square meters of unmatched luxury and elegant living for a blissfully immersive stay.

 Ozen Tangalle takes the brand to the south coast of Sri Lanka and is scheduled to be launched in 2022.

For More Information Click Below:

www.traveltrademaldives.com/atmosphere-hotels-resorts-to-launch-ozen-reserve-vittaveli-in-october-2020/

Airbnb Launches Campaign to Support Domestic Travel & Local Economic Growth

Key Take Away

The initiatives come as the travel industry takes initial steps to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This work includes a series of partnerships with destination marketing organizations to help these organizations use the Airbnb platform to support local economic development. 

Partnering with local communities to promote travel and economic growth

We are working with governments and tourism agencies to help support responsible and safe travel that benefits local citizens and small businesses.

Go Near

In a survey commissioned by Airbnb, nearly half of US respondents said they will prefer to stay within a day’s drive for their first trip once lockdown restrictions lift.

For More Information Click Below :

news.airbnb.com/airbnb-launches-campaign-to-support-domestic-travel-local-economic-growth/

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Tripadvisor Study Outlines Five-Stage Hospitality Recovery

Key Take Away

Tripadvisor’s latest study, “Beyond COVID-19: The Road to Recovery for the Travel Industry,” outlines a five-stage recovery for the travel and hospitality industry: Decline, Plateau, Emerge, Domestic Travel, and finally, a return to International Travel.

The study shows the world is still hungry for travel: More than two-thirds of travelers (68%) reported they were already thinking about where they want to go next.

Tripadvisor also suggests that operators “throw out the rule book,” and adopt a test and learn approach. 

For More Information Click Below:

www.hotelbusiness.com/tripadvisor-study-outlines-5-stage-hospitality-recovery/

IL Tornabuoni: New Luxury Hotel Set To Open In Florence

Key Take Away

In Florence—one of the country’s major tourism meccas—a brand-new, five-star property will be welcoming guests for the first time in September 2020.

The new IL Tornabuoni hotel, housed in one of the oldest palazzos in the heart of the city’s historic center, will offer 62 newly renovated rooms and suites

How will IL Tornabuoni differentiate itself from other 5-star properties in Florence? 

We will focus on providing attentive and authentic service, making sure that each guest’s stay—as well as their experiences in Florence— is memorable.  

When will the property begin taking reservations? 

 September 2020 is coming! Bookings are already open and we are ready to take reservations. Stay tuned!

For More Information

www.forbes.com/sites/irenelevine/2020/06/10/il-tornabuoni-new-five-star-luxury-hotel-set-to-open-in-florence-italy/#77f71be36ea0

‘My Shimla Hotel Is Ghosted, No Respite For Industry in Unlock 1’

Key Take Away

The Himachal government has asked hotels to open from 8 June but only for locals within Himachal state business travel. No tourists are allowed to enter Himachal Pradesh or be entertained in hotels.

Children below 10 and people above 65 will not be allowed into the state. The cost of compliance with the new SOP norms by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is huge.

 The unified representation of 18 hotel associations of Himachal Pradesh has conveyed to the state government that they will not open till end-August or September.

For More Information click below:

www.thequint.com/my-report/coronavirus-impact-tourism-industry-losses-shimla-himachal-pradesh

Top Dining-Out Trends for a Post-Pandemic Society

Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management projects five dining-out trends affecting restaurants, bars, and consumers that are emerging in a post-pandemic world. The trends were presented by Michael Cheng, dean of the Chaplin School.

Top Dining-Out Trends in a post-pandemic society:

• Dining-Out Trend #1 Transparency and Communication

• Dining-Out Trend #2 Innovation and Creativity

• Dining-Out Trend #3 Contactless Technology and Virtual Presence

• Dining-Out Trend #4 A Collaborative Community

• Dining-Out Trend #5 Reset!

"While these are signs that we see today, the next 12 months will give us better clarity of the way forward," said Cheng.

Maldives brings forward reopening date to July

Key Take Away

"We are planning to reopen our borders for visitors in July 2020," read an official statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism on May 30.

To ensure safety, the government says it is issuing a "Safe Tourism License" to accredit tourist facilities that abide by government legislation and specific safety requirements like having a certified medic on call and holding an "adequate stock" of personal protection equipment.

Travelers will also need to take steps. They'll be required to present a medical certificate confirming proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken at least 14 days before they arrive.

For More Information

www-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnn.com/travel/amp/maldives-reopening-july/index.html

Zleep Hotels Opens New Hotel In Copenhagen

Key Take Away

Due to the corona epidemic's impact on the country's tourism, the opening date has previously been postponed. Zleep Hotels now opened the doors to yet another of its popular select-service hotels. The hotel is located in Ørestad 

Zleep Hotel Copenhagen Arena is the largest Zleep hotel to date with no less than 211 beautiful and stylish rooms.

For More Information

www.zleep.com/en/hotel/copenhagen-arena/

www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41004730.html

Hilton College Initiates First-ever Hospitality Hackathon (HC3), Sponsored by HFTP; Challenges Students From Hospitality Programs Across the Globe

Key Take Away

The University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, in partnership with Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), are addressing the immediate need for creative and thoughtful solutions that will assist hospitality companies to put their businesses back on track

The idea for the HC3 was first proposed by Arlene D. Ramirez, CHAE, CHIA, CAHTA, CHE, Hilton College instructional assistant professor, and HFTP Global past president.

The main objective of HC3 is to produce initiatives that can be easily implemented within an operation, and are not necessarily tech-centric. She floated the idea to hold a virtual student competition during the College's spring faculty meeting.

Registration for HC3 is FREE and is now open.

For More Details

www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4098978.html

https://youtu.be/Y8fJC5-z1fo

International quarantine rules ‘another blow’ to tourism and hospitality industry

Key Take Away

From June 8, anybody arriving in the UK from an international country via plane, train or ferry, will be required to isolate for two weeks, with fines of up to £1,000 given out to those breaking the rules announced by the Home Secretary  Priti Patel.

The idea of ‘air bridges’ is also being championed, which would see agreements made with countries with low R numbers to let passengers travel between them without going into quarantine.

For More Information

www.boutiquehotelier.com/international-quarantine-rules-another-blow-to-tourism-and-hospitality-industry/

IHM Ranchi successfully organizes Jharkhand Cookery League season-2

Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition,(IHM) Ranchi is an autonomous Institute under the Department of Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand which organized an online cookery contest “Jharkhand Cookery League Season-2” for Hotel Management students and Non-Hotel Management students contest started from 6/05/2020 ends on 20/05/2020.

The total number of 70 recipe videos and including 47 entries from 15 Hotel Management Institutes and 23 entries from Non-Hotel Management categories marked their presence from pan India in this contest.

Various categories of participation included “Traditional Jharkhand Cuisine, Indian vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes (participant’s choice), Baked food (sweet or salty), Sweets (Indian or Continental)”.

The competition was partnered by pioneers viz. Jharkhand Tourism, Sunday Cook Show as the “Broadcast partner”, Hospemag.Me as the “Media Partner” whereas Radisson Blu Ranchi & Chanakya BNR are the “Industry partner” and Creative Bit being the “Technology Partner”.

The result of “Jharkhand Cookery League-2” was announced on 27th May 2020. Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, Principal, IHM Ranchi appreciated and congratulated the winners and all the participants. He said that this league has taught the participants that one must explore his/her creative skills and constantly aspire to improve it.

Winners under the Hotel Management category are:

Ms. Simran Suruti, a student of IHM Ranchi, was declared the winner for her recipe “Gud Peetha” an authentic dish of Jharkhand

Ms. Dolly Sekhari, from The Lalit Hospitality school, was 1st runner-up for her recipe “Rose Rabri”

Mr. Nishant Singh from IIMT University Meerut stood 2nd runner-up for his recipe “Bihari chicken”.

Winners under the Non -Hotel Management category are:

Ms. Amrita Kumari won the contest for her recipe “Patal Ki Mitahi”

Ms. Nihu Aggarwal was declared 1st runner-up for her recipe “Kadhai Baby Corn”

Ms. Afshan Afroz stood 2nd runner-up for her recipe “Chicken Yakhni Pulao”.

Himachal to open its doors for Tourism in Winter

Key Take Away

Himachal to open its doors for tourism in winter probably says, CM Jairam Thakur. It is notable that in this time of COVID -19 pandemic tourism industry is going through a huge loss. There is no change of opening the tourist place in the summer season

There is approx 3084 hotel n 1654 homestay, likewise, there are 44552 rooms available that are still under lock. According to people related to tourism, the state is bearing more than approx 7 crores of loss

For More Information

Dubai is ready to reopen its doors to receive visitors and guests from all over the world

Key Take Away

In light of the effective management of the Emirate of Dubai to contain the global pandemic and continue its efforts to control the spread of the Corona, the city is taking carefully studied measures and procedures to reopen its various economic sectors in stages

Dubai put detailed instructions for reopening commercial activities for various government agencies and private companies, including the hospitality sector

Maintaining its commitment to ensuring the public safety of the city's residents and visitors.

For More Information

www.gulfnewstoday.net/2020/05/dubai-is-ready-to-reopen-its-doors-to.html?m=1

Qatar Airways cabin crew to wear hazmat suits

Key Take Away

Qatar Airways is one of several airlines to introduce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for its cabin crew in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

 Passengers will be required to wear face coverings or masks on all its flights from May 25. The airline will be equipped with large bottles of hand sanitizers, which can be used by both cabin crew and passengers.

The move comes weeks after Philippines Airlines and AirAsia reportedly launched new uniforms that incorporate PPE.

For More Information

edition.cnn.com/travel/article/qatar-airways-full-body-cover-protection/index.html

The 4 Powerful Resources of Hoteliers that’ll help You Overcome the Aftermath of Corona

Key Take Away

Hotel industry and tourism are among the sectors most affected by the Corona crisis .To reduce the risk of infection, the hotel product became practically unsellable from one day to the next.

Hoteliers are masters in problem-solving and incredibly creative with solutions. They always keep a cool head and are not easily upset. There are no problems - only challenges to be overcome.

For More Information

www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4098744.html

Accor has re-opened 250 hotels since end-April. To date, 42% of the Accor network is operating

Key Take Away

Accor announces that it has signed an agreement with a consortium of 5 banks for a new €560m Revolving Credit Facility (RCF).

It has been underwritten by the following 5 banks: BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole CIB, Crédit Industriel et Commercial, Natixis and Société Générale

Accor has re-opened 250 hotels since end-April. To date, 42% of the Accor network is operating.

For more information

www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4098732.html

Attracting Travelers After COVID-19

As states and countries relax their restrictions on quarantine and social distancing, airlines and hotels will likely start offering generous discounts in order to generate demand and entice travelers back out into the world beyond their front doorstep.

A major step towards recovery in this segment is likely to come when larger corporations relax business travel restrictions, and other smaller companies follow suit. It is estimated that 5-10% of business travel may be eliminated permanently due to reduced travel budgets, business closure, unemployment, and the growth of online meetings.

 A survey conducted by LuggageHero, indicated that 58% of Americans are planning to travel between May and September 2020, as long as their destinations aren't in quarantine.

Some analysts predict that air travel will not return to full strength until at least mid-2021 which means that leisure travelers are more likely to be taking staycations or car trips to surrounding states.

2020 may bring the re-birth of the road trip and hotels should pay particular attention to their drive markets as the likelihood is this segment is going to be the most likely to celebrate their post-quarantine freedom by taking a short trip within 2-3 hours' drive.

For these reasons, along with continued fear around the pandemic, leisure travel may recover at a slower pace and only recover to previous levels once a vaccine is developed.

The best way to manage your segmentation mix is to take a data first approach. Segment towards drive markets and test what works before expanding your reach and media spend. Also try to understand in-bound travel data as an indicator of where guests are arriving from and choose to target those areas first.

Top Ten Largest Travel and Tourism Businesses

The travel and tourism industry was thriving through the end of 2018, making it the eighth straight year of sustained industry growth. More than 1.4 billion people arrived at international ports around the world

 In 2019, the United Nations World Tourism Organization estimated that one out of every ten jobs globally was linked to the travel and tourism industry.

This growth trend was projected to continue through 2022 until Covid-19 changed everything.To get an overview of what the Travel and Tourism industry looked like before this unprecedented disruption, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Largest Travel and Tourism Businesses in the World, arranged in order of 2018 total revenue. Two of the ten on our list are family-owned.

10. Travel Leaders Group

Country of Origin: USA

Revenue: 7.12 billion

Number of Employees: 4,000

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in New York, Travel Leaders Group is a relatively new company that caters primarily to upscale and corporate clientele. 

In 2018, 71 per cent of revenue came from business travel, 25 per cent came from leisure travel, while four per cent came from other categories. Its network of hosted agents generated approximately $436.6 million in sales. Recent estimations suggest more than a third of all agents in North America work under the Travel Leaders Group umbrella either directly or indirectly

9. Royal Caribbean Cruises

Country of Origin: USA

Revenue: 9.49 billion

Number of Employees: 77,000

Royal Caribbean Cruises is one of just two cruise lines to make our list of top tourism businesses in the world. Founded in 1968 in Miami as Royal Caribbean International, the business has grown to become the world’s second-largest cruise line.

8. Walt Disney Parks, Resorts & Leisure

Country of Origin: USA

Revenue: 20.29 billion

No of Employees: 170,000

Disney Park’s 2018 total of $20.29 billion marks its ninth straight year of increases and nearly doubles the 2009 total of $10.67. Disney’s most attended Park is the Magic Kingdom in Florida with just under 21 million visitors in 2018

In total, Disney boasts six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 53 resorts in the United States, Europe, and Asia. They also run a successful cruise line with four ships and plans for three more to be completed in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

7. Carnival Corporation & PLC

Country of Origin: USA

Revenue: 20.83 billion

Number of Employees: 120,000

Carnival Corporation & PLC holds the distinction of being the world’s largest leisure cruise line with a combined fleet of 102 ships visiting more than 700 ports all around the world. Carnival is a family-owned business

These cruise lines attract nearly 11.5 million guests annually – approximately half of the total global cruise market. With 225,000 daily cruise guests and 100,000 shipboard employees, an estimated 325,000+ people are sailing aboard the Carnival Corporation fleet every single day.

6. Flight Centre Travel Group

Country of Origin: Australia

Revenue: 21.8 billion

Number of Employees: 20,600

Flight Centre Travel Group was founded in Sydney in 1982 and currently stands as the largest retail travel agency in Australia

In 2018, Flight Centre Travel Group sold travel valued at approximately $60 million every day.  Flight Centre travel group is currently headquartered in Brisbane. It operates more than 2,800 retail outlets in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Hong Kong, India, China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico with licence agreements in another 80 countries.

5. CWT

Country of Origin: USA

Revenue: 25 billion

Number of Employees: 18,000

CWT is a Minnesota-based, family-controlled travel management company perhaps best known by its former name Carlson Wagonlit Travel, which was rebranded as CWT in February 2019

4. BCD Travel

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Revenue: 27.1 billion

Number of Employees: 13,800

BCD Travel is a travel management company headquartered in Atlanta but is a subsidiary of the BCD Group located in the Netherlands. BCD Travel operates travel management services such as travel bookings, consulting and meetings and events in 109 countries around the world

3. Global Business Travel

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Unit Sales: 33.7 billion

No of Employees: 17,400

Initially American Express Global Business Travel, GBT is a world leader in business travel planning and management. The business is incorporated in the Netherlands but is headquartered out of New Jersey.

In 2018, Global Business Travel acquired Hogg Robinson Group, a travel company with roots that trace back to the 19th Century.

2. Booking Holdings

Country of Origin: USA

Revenue: 92.7 billion

Number of Employees: 24,500

Booking Holdings is one of the largest online search and booking platforms for flights, lodging, dining, car rentals and other travel-related services.

In 2017, travellers booked 673.1 million room nights of accommodation, 73.0 million rental car days, and 6.9 million aeroplane tickets using websites owned by Booking Holdings. That year, 93.4 per cent Booking Holdings’ revenues were from commissions, while 6.6 per cent of revenues came from advertising.

1. Expedia Group

Country of Origin:USA

2018 Revenue: 99 billion

Number of Employees: 24,000

One of the most recognisable brand names in the tourism industry fell just short of $100 billion in total revenue to top our list of tourism businesses. The Expedia Group provides an online platform for various travel-related needs  In 2018, the business changed its corporate name from Expedia, Inc. to Expedia Group, Inc.

Just under 69 per cent of Expedia Group’s 2018 revenue came from lodging, 8 per cent from airline bookings, 9.7 per cent from advertising and media, and 13 per cent from other sources.

U.S. Leisure and Hospitality Industy Lost 8.2 Million Jobs in 2 Months

The U.S. leisure and hospitality industry in April lost 7.7 million jobs, a 47 percent drop, and was the worst-hit sector among non-farm payrolls for the second month in a row, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

April was the first full month where the coronavirus pandemic raged in the United States. The job losses come on top of half a million jobs lost in leisure and hospitality in March.

It was food and drinking establishments, rather than hotels, that were most-impacted in April. The bureau stated that restaurants and bars lost 5.5 million jobs in April, or 71 percent of the total decline in leisure and hospitality employment.

The April job loss in leisure and hospitality was more than three times greater than the second-most-impacted sector, education and health services, which saw a decline of 2.54 million jobs.

The two-month employment drop, including March and April, reached 8.2 million in leisure and hospitality. Some 459,000 jobs were lost in leisure and hospitality in March, versus February, as the coronavirus pandemic began to take its toll. As in April, dining establishments and bars took the brunt of the hit.

In late April, the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics projected that the coronavirus pandemic would lead to the loss of 8 million jobs out of a total of 24 million in the U.S. economy.