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What is happening in our program destinations? | October 2020 update from Asia and the Middle East

Destinations, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Qatar, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam / By Donna Mae Ocmeja

As we welcome the last quarter of 2020, and because we thrive on positivity, we bring you some ‘good news’ about each of our Program destinations – the Maldives, Thailand, the UAE, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Qatar.

Although the Hospitality and Tourism sectors are two of the very affected industries from the current COVID-19 pandemic, we still never run out of positive news to share with the world. Here are some important updates and developments relevant to our Program destinations as of October 2020:

THE MALDIVES

Based on bookings with seaplane operator Trans Maldivian Airways and a number of resorts, tourism in the Maldives is staging a gradual rebound since the island nation reopened in July.

Statistics from the Tourism Ministry has shown that an average of 628 tourists visit the Maldives daily after the nation reopened its borders to international tourists. 3,140 tourists arrived during the first five days of October, and the new arrivals average is now at 628; this is an 80 percent increase in arrivals compared to when the borders were newly reopened in July.

THAILAND

Thailand is in talks with China to establish a quarantine-free travel corridor by January to aid its tourism industry. According to the Thai Tourism Ministry, China, which accounted for more than a quarter of Thailand’s tourist arrivals before the pandemic, will be the first low-risk country Thailand will sign up for quarantine-free travel.

Meanwhile, tourism operators in Samui are planning to urge the government to help lower flight costs for tourists, while more hotels have been approved for alternative local state quarantine (ALSQ) status.

THE UAE

During a recent virtual G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting, the UAE affirmed its commitment to support international efforts to encourage tourism & improve safety of travel experience while adhering to global recommendations on the COVID-19 response. The G20 ministers discuss ways to capitalize on growth opportunities in the post pandemic phase and increase the sector’s contribution to comprehensive and sustainable development. The Group of Twenty (G20), the premier forum for international economic cooperation, brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies, comprising 19 countries and the European Union.

VIETNAM

Vietnam launched a CNN International TV commercial titled “When you’re ready to travel again, why not Vietnam?”. This marks the country’s commencement of its tourism reopening strategy inviting travelers to consider Vietnam for their first holiday after COVID-19. According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the country’s strong safety record since the start of the pandemic and its ability to provide socially distanced holiday options are top reasons for tourists to consider Vietnam for their upcoming trips.

INDONESIA

Indonesia has become the first signatory of the UNWTO Tourism Ethics Convention, the landmark created to ensure global tourism is fair, inclusive, more transparent, and works for everyone. This signals the country’s strong commitment to uphold the highest ethical principles as it expands its tourism sector. Indonesia is currently working with UNWTO to restart tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In September, the UNWTO conducted a virtual meeting with the Indonesian government to explore solutions for the safe reopening of Bali to international visitors.

MALAYSIA

Malaysia is reportedly planning to reopen its tourism by the first quarter of 2021. Tourism director-general, Musa Yusof, said in a local TV program that they are keen on resuming cross-border leisure travel with neighboring countries Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has won the Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award 2020 in the “Tourism for All” category through the virtual tourism for senior citizens initiative pioneered by Taylor’s University. The PATA Gold Award is a recognition for excellence, innovation, and standards in travel and tourism. Malaysia hopes that this can inspire the industry to move forward with more sustainable and responsible initiatives in line with COVID-19 recovery measures.

QATAR

The Tourism Council of Qatar announced the launch of two new hotel and leisure destinations, opening in late 2020 and early 2021. The country is currently undergoing an extensive tourism development strategy, as it prepares ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM.

Moreover, Doha has been nominated in both leading business travel and sports tourism destination categories at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2020, a global initiative that recognizes excellence in all key sectors of travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.

We at RMC will continue monitoring the situation in the countries we arrange Hospitality Internships and Management Training Programs in. Together with the Hospitality and Travel sector, we remain optimistic about the gradual reopening of business and tourism activities towards 2021. For questions or inquiries, don’t hesitate to send us an email or visit our website.

An update from Southeast Asia | Thailand aims to once again welcome International Tourists starting from October

Destinations, Thailand / By Donna Mae Ocmeja

Thailand, one of our Educational Travel Program destinations, is one of the best-performing countries in terms of COVID-19 response and prevention. Although cases are still present, the government is continuously working to keep the community and the economy strong.

The Tourism Ministry of Thailand has recently pledged to welcome the first batch of international tourists to the country by October.

According to the Ministry, tour operators can now start promoting long-stay packages via the special tourist visa (STV) to potential customers. The SVT will allow foreign visitors to stay in the country for 90 days, extendable twice for up to 270 days. This policy is expected to be effective starting next month until November next year.

To be eligible for the STV, tourists must provide all required documents regarding their itinerary to officials. This includes payment for alternative state quarantine (ASQ) or alternative local state quarantine (ALSQ) facility, post-quarantine accommodation, chartered flights or private jet bookings, COVID-free certificate, and travel and health insurance.

After the approval of all documents by the Foreign Ministry, it will issue a certificate of eligibility (COE) and STV to tourists to let them continue with their travel plans.

Bangkok is where the first visitors will undergo 14-day quarantine, as the city provides sufficient ASQ facilities. During the first stage of reopening, international flights will be limited to three flights a week with 100 tourists per flight. Many travelers have already shown interest in visiting Thailand. Thus, if the initial month runs smoothly, and providing another outbreak does not happen, the government aims to increase capacity in the next phase.

According to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, the policy targets to bring in 100-300 visitors a week, or up to 1,200 people a month. This is expected to generate income of about 1 billion baht a month, which can hopefully help the country restore the tourism industry at a minimum level.