Tourism

“During the third wave, there are a higher number of cluster cases found in Bangkok and the outbreak has spread to several provinces faster than the previous waves,” said the centre. “This has resulted in many people cancelling their domestic trips during the Songkran holidays between April 10 to 18, affecting the projected revenue of the hospitality and guided tour industry, as well as other tourism-related businesses.” K-Research also slashed its estimate of total tourism revenue in the first half of the year by Bt130 billion -- to Bt137 billion -- after forecasting Bt267 billion in January, due to the second and third Covid-19 waves in late December and late March. “The third wave could last longer than the previous ones due to the higher number of infections and the discovery that the mutated strain of the virus can spread faster,” added the centre. “Furthermore, the economic fallout will be more serious than the previous waves as the third wave has a central hotspot in ... » Learn More about K-Research slashes tourism revenue estimates for first half of 2021 by Baht130 billion

ALMOST 400,000 workers in the tourism sector displaced by the Covid-19 pandemic will each receive P5,000 cash aid from the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE). Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said on Tuesday that funding would come from the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), a one-time cash assistance program to formal workers affected by the pandemic. The CAMP for tourism workers has a budget of P3 billion and targets 600,000 industry workers. As of April 11, the Labor department has approved the application of 370,434 workers from 14,301 tourism establishments, organizations, and associations and 13,123 workers who applied individually. Around P1.2 billion has been remitted to payment centers. Bello encouraged tourism sector workers who were displaced by the pandemic “especially those affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, including the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal to apply for the financial aid” jointly ... » Learn More about Tourism sector workers to get cash aid from DOLE

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will host the “Expat Travel Deal 2020” event in Bangkok to offer promotions on travel packages and services for expat residents. The tourism authority aims to encourage expats to travel more in order to boost domestic tourism. The event will highlight deals from airlines, hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas, golf courses in the North, Central, South, East and Northeast. There will be demonstrations of local arts and crafts as well as tourism talks. Topics include “Traveling In Thailand During The Covid Era” and “The New Era Of Elephant Care Tourism”. Expat attendees need to present their passports to receive special offers at the fair. The event will take place from Sept 11-13 from 10am to 10pm at the Quartier Gallery, EmQuartier shopping mall. New Art Destination in Chiang Rai Chiang Rai will invest 15 million baht to further promote the province as an art destination. According to Chiang Rai governor Prachon Pratsakul, the province ... » Learn More about Tourism Authority of Thailand to Host Travel Fair for Expats

People wade at an empty beach in Phuket last month. (Reuters photo) Hoteliers are projecting a lukewarm tourism outlook while preparing their businesses amid uncertainties, despite the government's reopening plan for international arrivals. Charintip Tiyaphorn, the financial controller at Pimalai Resort and Spa, said Phuket's tourism sandbox in July will let operators plan ahead in terms of business, yet tourism demand in the early stages will not be sufficient to benefit areas nearby if international flights to Phuket are not able to fully resume. The hotel is working with agents who already have customers to arrange chartered flights. Pimalai is targeting niche markets such as weddings, which normally reserve bookings 12 months before the event and pay a deposit in advance. The hotel used to welcome around 20-30 wedding couples, generating 1-2 million baht per group, she said. At present, there are 3-4 couples from Europe waiting for the country to reopen. Ms Charintip ... » Learn More about Hoteliers see tepid tourism prospects

JAKARTA: The government of Riau Islands province has proposed a safe travel corridor with Singapore starting on May 1 or Jun 1, said a senior Indonesian tourism official on Tuesday (Apr 13). In a press release, Mdm R Kurleni Ukar, who is the deputy for strategic policy at the tourism ministry, said there are periodic efforts to monitor plans for safe travel corridor arrangements in Bintan, Batam and Bali. She noted that the governor of Riau Islands province has prepared several dates to restart travel between Bintan Lagoi to Singapore. "The Governor of Riau Islands has suggested implementing the Travel Corridor Arrangement for the Bintan Lagoi area starting Apr 21, 2021. However, it is still considering whether vaccination can be accomplished, (whether) COVID-19 is under control, and the response of the Singapore government," she said. "They prepared several scenarios, namely (to reopen) on Apr 21, then May 1, or on Jun 1, 2021," she added. Last month, tourism and creative ... » Learn More about Riau Islands government proposes travel corridor with Singapore starting May or June: Senior Indonesian official

Thailand has approved a list of eight Covid-19 vaccine makers for foreign visitors seeking to no quarantine on arrival for Phuket. Thailand is planning to reopen Phuket from July and waiving quarantine for vaccinated tourists. Visitors to Thailand will need to upload copies of the vaccination certi ficates on the website of the nation’s foreign ministry prior to arrival to reduce the quarantine period to seven days. Those without vaccinations will still need to undergo 10 days of isolation and visitors from countries including South Africa will be subject to a two-week quarantine. The list of approved vaccine makers are Sinovac, AstraZeneca Plc , SK Bioscience Co. Ltd., Pfizer, BioNTech SE , Serum Institute of India, Johnson & Johnson , Moderna Inc. and Sinopharm Group Co. Despite the recent spike in covid-19 cases, Thailand is betting on a return of foreign visitors to rescue its economy from its worst performance in more than two decades. The nation, ... » Learn More about Thailand Approves Eight Covid-19 Vaccines for Quarantine Waiver

Dubai restaurants are no longer required to shield passersby from the sight of food during Ramadan fasting hours, according to authorities in the Gulf emirate, where the Muslim holy month began Tuesday. "Restaurants in the emirate can choose whether or not to place curtains or cover their facades for serving food during fasting hours," the Department of Economic Development said in a statement. "The new circular modifies the practice followed previously in the emirate, which required restaurants and other food outlets serving food during fasting hours to place curtains and screens." The emirate depends heavily on tourism and services, which took a severe hit amid the coronavirus pandemic. The new measure, announced Monday, comes as Dubai seeks to re-energise its economy by opening its doors to tourists and accommodating the 90 percent of its population who are foreigners, many of them non-Muslim. Dubai, which is part of the United Arab Emirates, is known for its palm-shaped ... » Learn More about Dubai drops Ramadan ‘curtain’ rule for restaurants

Mahanakhon Bangkok SkyBar, Thailand’s highest restaurant and bar is now open at Bangkok’s landmark, the King Power Mahanakhon building. Located in the heart of Sathorn and directly connected to Chong Nonsi BTS station, the new dining venue is situated on the 76th and 77th floor of the famous pixelated building. Inspired by the Chao Praya river and the concept of an eclectic journey, a visit to the upscale modern brasserie allows one to step into an exotic escape from the usual hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Tastefully designed indoor and outdoor seating areas, along with exclusive VIP lounges offer a comfortable dining venue for guests to enjoy world-class mixology and unique dishes. As Wilson Associates’ latest interior masterpiece led by Tristan Auer, Mahanakhon Bangkok SkyBar is Bangkok’snewest iconic dining destination. Marc Begassat, Managing Director of King Power Mahanakhon said, “Following the successful launch of Thailand’s highest observation deck last November, it is a ... » Learn More about Thailand’s highest restaurant and bar open at the Mahanakhon building

Gokongwei-led property developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has set aside P26 billion for capital outlays this year, about 17.4 percent larger than its capital spending last year when the COVID-19 pandemic constrained construction and other business activities. This year’s domestic capital expenditures will be funded through internally generated cash from operations and borrowings, RLC said in its annual report. The amount will be earmarked to develop subdivision land, condominium, residential units and other real estate properties for sale, as well as to expand investment properties and equipment. Land acquisition This year, RLC has three townships under development: Bridgetowne in Quezon City and Pasig City; Sierra Valley in Cainta and Taytay City, Rizal; and, Montclair in Porac City and Angeles, Pampanga. RLC is also looking to inject its mature office assets into a real estate investment trust (REIT) company this year. Currently, RLC has 25 office buildings with total net ... » Learn More about RLC hikes 2021 capital spending on recovery hopes

We know that success doesn’t just happen; it’s planned. Having a goal is commendable, but as the French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” And no one has ever accomplished anything by just wishing. Recently, I had the opportunity to get an update on the 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2019-2028, also known as the Marina roadmap. As Engineer Emmanuel Baybayan Carpio, Marina’s director for policy and planning service, remarked in his Preface to the Plan, the MIDP 2019-2028 is a milestone since, “It is the first time that this kind of a comprehensive plan was crafted to provide the direction to the Philippine maritime industry in charting its path to global competitiveness and sustainable growth.” Such a comprehensive plan called for a participatory process that required the contribution of thousands of stakeholders. There’s a reason why astronomical observatories are located in every region of the globe: ... » Learn More about The maritime industry development plan