Travel Trends News

Attractions and cruises will return to 50% operating capacities, while tours can carry on with strict adherence to safe distancing rules.

Singapore eases back to more relaxed modeOperating cap for attractions and cruises back to 50%, while events can go up to 250 pax.

The US has downgraded the travel risks for more Asian countries and destinations, including Japan, just ahead of the Olympics.

US takes steps towards restoring global travelSingapore and Japan now lower down the travel risk rating for Americans.

Beginning 15 June, travellers will be able to fly freely inter-island without needing a Covid test or vaccination.

Hawaii opens up as vaccination rates riseThe island chain is gearing up for full, unrestricted travel once vaccination rates hit 70%.

While certain provisions were gratefully welcomed, the travel industry is asking the Malaysian government for further help.

New aid for Malaysia but is it enough?The travel sector finds scant relief in the latest stimulus package announced amid the current lockdown.

Curious lemurs stay close as 11-year-old Seenlada Supat, dressed in a giraffe outfit, plays to the animals in a Bangkok zoo.

Playing to a zoo's captive audienceThe performing species is a human girl, who keeps animals company through her keyboard recitals.

According to IATA, the time a passenger spends in clearing airport processes post pandemic has ballooned to three times more than the past average of 1.5 hours.

Go digital or travellers will stay homeIATA warns of “chaotic” airport scenes if governments fail to adopt digital Covid checks.

Governments have the task to bring certainty to today's travel experience, and find a standardised system to encourage a return to international business and leisure travel, according to Global Rescue CEO Dan Richards.

Will bureaucracy over vaccinations kill the travel industry?Transparency and access to testing are key to keeping people healthy, but governments need to remove travel uncertainty, says...

The EU has agreed to reopen its borders to vaccinated visitors, or those coming from a list of countries considered safe from a Covid perspective.

Hopes up, hair down for a Europe summerEU agrees to welcome vaccinated tourists and relax criteria for entry.

At a 2021 Tourism Update for local players on 18 May, the consensus was that "the sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner mass international travel can resume,” said HKTB chair Pang Yiu-kai.

Bubble or not, Hong Kong's tourism plans at full throttleHKTB steps up reopening plans with focus on digitalisation, in-depth tours and the Greater Bay Area.

Thailand's tourism authorities are making a push for Phuket's July reopening.

The 'Countdown to Reopen Phuket' beginsIt's just 6 weeks away to July 1, but TAT says the Phuket's sandbox scheme will go as planned.