How can we make travel more sustainable?

As the industry is building its way towards recovery, how can we address some of the negative impacts we have seen in recent years and rethink more sustainable ways to travel?

In 2018, the travel industry accounted for about 8% of the world’s carbon footprint, air traffic alone for 2%. The United Nations urged the travel sector to halve its combined carbon emissions by 2035. People’s footprint when traveling can also lead to a range of negative impacts, from over-crowded places to tension with local communities, who in general do not benefit as much from spending made locally. However, with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has come to a near halt.

As the industry is building its way towards recovery, how can we address some of the negative impacts we have seen in recent years and rethink the way we travel to be more sustainable and responsible, thus having a positive environmental and social impact?

The new, sustainability-aware travelers

Travelers are increasingly concerned about the impact they could have even as traditional tourism and travel models are becoming increasingly unsustainable. To fully grasp this concept, travellers need to understand the A-Z of Sustainable tourism.

According to Booking.com’s 2018 Sustainable Traveler Report, travelers think they should act now to make sustainable travel choices. 68% would like the money they spend on holiday to go back to the local community, and 67% are willing to spend more to minimize the environmental impact of their travel. 

The same survey found that almost one third of travelers weren’t aware that hotel properties can use eco-labels, while a similar proportion think travel companies should offer more sustainable travel options. The lack of relevant, reliable and transparent information emerged as a key problem for these sustainability-aware travelers when they try to book vacations.

This year’s global pandemic has reinforced this mindset even more. A survey from Publicis Sapient performed in April 2020, found out that 58% of people are thinking even more about the environment and sustainability than before the crisis. 

However, it’s hard to make sure that traveler’s intentions match their actual behavior. An article from TNMT published in February 2020 relays that while 78% of air travelers said they would like to see sustainable options when booking flights, only 1% actually paid to offset the carbon impact of their trips. 

Amadeus is exploring ways to develop the sustainable travel landscape 

Over the past months, Amadeus has been interviewing environmental and social-conscious travelers to identify key pain points and needs. The first findings show that leisure travelers who have a high or medium sensitivity to environmental and social issues are influenced in their travel choices by issues such as pollution, conservation of biodiversity, landscapes and ecosystems as well as local purchasing.

In addition, thanks to an Amadeus survey run with participation from over 400 travelers from 4 different markets (UK, USA, France and Germany), Amadeus has evaluated the top criteria travelers want to see when booking travel products. The most important one is the willingness of the local population to welcome and host tourists. Indeed, if travelers feel welcome at their destination, they subsequently feel they have a positive impact on the local communities and ecosystems. Putting locals first seems to be the most common traveler definition of sustainable and responsible travel.

In this direction, Amadeus has interviewed some eco-friendly operators, who are specialized in sourcing travel products directly from locals, to define how to leverage this existing product catalog in our own ecosystem.

Another example of criteria that is being evaluated is flight carbon emissions. Guiding travelers to greener flights by giving them the option to compare emissions is one way to empower them to decrease their travel and tourism footprint. According to our first online test campaigns, it seems that travelers’ appetite for greener flights is real. Yet, further experiments need to be run before conclusions can be made. In parallel, some investigation is being done to see whether travel agents, airlines, hotels and other travel players would be interested in adding environmental and social impact features in their products.

There are already hundreds of sustainable and locally focused initiatives, startups and programs across the travel industry. In addition, some travel agents already offer tours that are eco-friendly and benefit local communities. By learning from them and working with like-minded partners and customers, Amadeus can leverage the knowledge across this sustainable travel ecosystem and complement it with recent findings.

Source: https://amadeus.com/en/insights/blog/how-can-we-make-travel-more-sustainable

By Gabrielle Sabatier;

Intrapreneur, Research Innovation and Ecosystem, Amadeus

Emirates set to resume flights from Nairobi

Emirates airline will be resuming passenger services from Nairobi effective 02nd August 2020.
The airline will be operating three times a week being on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Emirates’ local departure from Dubai will be 1015hrs while the local departure from Nairobi will be 1635hrs.

At the same time, in an official communication Emirates stated that the health and safety protocols and measures need to be upheld. Passengers will be subjected to local entry requirements of the individual countries. Check-in at JKIA at Terminal 1B will be 4hrs before departure as per government travel protocols and will close 90 minutes before departure.

It is mandatory to have a 96 hours COVID-19 free certificate, to wear a mask and observe social distancing.
The flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates flies to over 60 destinations click here to see the destinations.

By Eve Lucky Karitu, Kenya Association of Travel Agents

Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) cancelled

Due to the escalation of the Covid -19 epidemic around the world, the Kenya Tourism Board has announced that the MKTE 2020 edition which was scheduled from 7th to 9th October 2020 has been cancelled. An alternative date will be communicated in due course.

In a statement by the Board, KTB mentioned that they carefully monitored the global health crisis related to Covid-19 and the top priority is the health and safety of everyone involved in the annual expo.

“we appreciate your continued support in marketing Kenya as a preferred tourism destination and appreciated the continued mutually beneficial working relationship” said Dr. Betty Radier, The Chief Executive Director of KTB in a statement.

By Eve Lucky, Kenya Association of Travel Agents

Major International Airlines Including Qatar, British And KLM Announce Plans to Resume Operations in And Out of Nairobi

A host of international airlines are set to resume operations in and out of Nairobi in August, four months after Kenya suspended all flights to combat the spread of COVID-19.

British Airways says it will operate 4 weekly flights, being on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Qatar Airways will also resume operations with 14 weekly flights, which are subject to regulatory approval.

At the same time, Air France says it will begin with one flight to Paris, every Friday, while KLM will begin with 4 flights.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala says health and safety remains the government’s topmost priority, amid the gradual opening of the economy.

The return to the skies by these airlines comes barely ten days after domestic flights resumed operations.

National Carrier Kenya Airways and its subsidiary Jambojet are among airlines that are already operating domestic flights.

The resumption comes even as several measures have been effected at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport to ensure safety against the virus.

Passengers, for instance, will always be required to sanitize their hands several times as well as wearing masks.

Additionally, they will also be required to pass through temperature screening points to ensure safety.

Source: https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2020/07/major-international-airlines-including-qatar-british-and-klm-announce-plans-to-resume-operations-in-and-out-of-nairobi/

Hotel lockdowns for pilots as flights start

Pilots and crew members flying into the country will not be allowed to leave their hotels or rooms except for emergency reasons when international travel restarts on August 1.

Strict health protocols published by the Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with that of Health show that only hotel room service meals and drinks will be allowed to flight crew members in the facilities.

“To ensure that risk of exposure to crew members through contact with local population is minimized, the following measures will apply; at the resting facilities (hotel) the crew members shall not be allowed to leave the hotel facility or rooms except for emergency reasons,” the Magical Kenya Tourism and Travel Health and Safety Protocols state.

It is not clear if the strict rules will apply to the national career Kenya Airways crew members.

KQ, as is known by its international code, struck a deal with the government that will see its crew flying back into the country not forced into mandatory quarantine.

The airline’s crew, who have been operating cargo and repatriation flights, had to be subjected to a 14-day quarantine at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in line with the Ministry of Health guidelines.

The new protocols, tabled in the Senate by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala require airlines to transport their crew to hotels or other places of accommodation by ensuring a minimum separation of one seat between crew members.

“The airline shall ensure that crews do not share the transport with any passengers or other airline crew,” the rules, aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic states.

The rules require that the crew hotel rooms should be disinfected prior to being used.

Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/economy/Hotel-lockdowns-for-pilots-as-flights-start/3946234-5599478-11rtgtl/index.html

 

Travel requirements for residents and tourists travelling to and via Dubai, which take effect from 01 August 2020.

  • Depending on the passengers nationality they can get a visa on arrival, or passengers can apply for a visit visa from Dubai Immigration before they travel.Check if you need a visa here.
  • From 1 August 2020 all passengers arriving in Dubai from any destination, including passengers connecting in Dubai, must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate to be accepted on the flight. The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure. This excludes children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability.
  • If the UAE government has specified a designated laboratoryin the passengers country of origin, then they must get the certificate from that lab. If it is not specified, please use an accredited lab in their country of departure.
  • Passengers may need to take another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. If passengers take a test at the airport, they must remain in their hotel or residence until they receive the test result. If the test result is positive, the client will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines. Passengers must also download the COVID-19 – DXB Smart App, links are available click for both iOSand Android
  • All travellers to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must complete this health declaration formand give it to the staff at check-in. This form will also be available at check-in.
  • Passengers will also need to complete the quarantine undertaking formprovided on board if Dubai is your final destination. They will hand this form to the Dubai Health Authority staff on arrival.

 

Departing from Dubai on or after 1 August

  • All passengers travelling from Dubai to UK or Europe (and other mandated destinations) will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test no more than 96 hours before departure and present the test result certificate at check-in.
  • Before your client travels, pleasecheck the requirementsof the country they are travelling to. They may need to take a printed COVID-19 PCR test before you depart.

COVID-19 flight and travel restrictions remain in place across many countries around the world. We are closely monitoring the situation as it evolves, and we hope to resume services as soon as conditions allow. This includes receiving government approvals, the easing of travel restrictions, and commercial demand. We will announce any service resumption when we can, please continue to refer to this link to Find out which destinations we’re flying to and from.

 

Source: Emirates Team

Tourism restarts: 40% of destinations have now eased travel restrictions

The responsible restart of tourism is underway around the world as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19 related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality. According to the latest analysis from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 40% of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19.

The United Nations specialized agency for tourism has been monitoring global responses to the pandemic from the start of the crisis. This latest outlook, recorded on 19 July, is up from 22% of destinations that had eased restrictions on travel by 15 June and the 3% previously observed by 15 May. It confirms the trend of a slow but continuous adaptation and responsible restart of international tourism.

At the same time, however, of the 87 destinations that have now eased travel restrictions, just four have completely lifted all restrictions, while 83 have eased them while keeping some measures such as the partial closure of borders in place. This latest edition of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report in addition shows that 115 destinations (53% of all destinations worldwide) continue to keep their borders completely closed for tourism.

Responsible restart is possible

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The restart of tourism can be undertaken responsibly and in a way that safeguards public health while also supporting businesses and livelihoods. As destinations continue to ease restrictions on travel, international cooperation is of paramount importance. This way, global tourism can gain people’s trust and confidence, essential foundations as we work together to adapt to the new reality we now face.”

According to the UNWTO report, destinations with a higher dependency on tourism are more likely to be easing restrictions on travel: Of the 87 destinations that have eased restrictions recently, 20 are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which depend on tourism as a central pillar of employment, economic growth and  development. The report also shows that around half (41) of all those destinations that have eased restrictions are in Europe, confirming the leading role of the region for the responsible restart of tourism.

Many destinations still in long-term lockdown

Looking at the 115 destinations that continue to have their borders completely closed to international tourism, the report finds that a majority (88) have been completely closed their borders for international tourism for more than 12 weeks.

The cost related to the travel restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 has historic dimensions. This week, UNWTO released the data on the impact of the pandemic on tourism, both in terms of lost tourist arrivals and lost revenues. The data shows that by already by the end of May, the pandemic had led to US$320 billion in lost revenues, already three times the cost of the 2009 Global Economic Crisis.

Source: https://www.unwto.org/news/tourism-restarts-40-per-cent-of-destinations-have-now-eased-travel-restrictions

 

Emirates reactivates automation of refunds on BSP

Effective 01 August 2020, Emirates will reactivate automated refunds via BSP in all GDS, as per the previous process prior to deactivation in March 2020.

 

This reactivation will enable trade partners process the refund of tickets and EMDs directly via the BSP link.

 

To address questions, around the change in process, See the below FAQ’s.

 

Frequently asked questions;

Q: Can an agent process refund through GDS, if Refund Application (RA) is submitted and “pending” status in BSP?

A: Yes, agent should delete RA in BSP and process refund through GDS.

 

Q: Can the airline (EK) process a Refund Application (RA) through BSP, if an agent has submitted RA and has not processed the refund in GDS?

A: Yes, airline (EK) will process RA in BSP

 

Q: What happens if the GDS refund has been processed and the Refund Application (RA) not deleted in BSP by agent?

A: Airline (EK) will reject RA in BSP

 

Q: What happens if incorrect refund is processed by agent?

A: Airline (EK) will raise ADM for incorrect claim of refund (including ADM fee).

 

Q: What happens if duplicate refunds are processed by agent and airline (EK)?

A: Airline (EK) will raise ADM to recover excess claim of refund.

 

If your question is not answered here please contact your local Emirates Sales Team for assistance.

 

Source: Emirates Team

Uganda Airlines become a BSP Airline in Kenya

Effective 20th July 2020, Uganda Airlines officially became a BSP Airline in Kenya. IATA welcomed the Ugandan national carrier as a BSP Airline in Kenya. This comes certainly as good news for BSP Kenya (KE).

Uganda Airlines celebrate this as a milestone for the airline as it has been long overdue.

Ms. Agnes Mucuha, CEO of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents congratulated the Uganda Airlines for the accreditation.

In a statement by IATA, Uganda Airlines does not accept IATA Easy Pay as a form of payment in BSP Kenya.

Qatar allows citizens, permanent residents to travel and return anytime

Qatar on Wednesday relaxed restrictions aimed at controlling the novel coronavirus, allowing citizens and permanent residency holders to travel outside the country and return at any time, and residents outside the country to return starting Aug. 1.

The government communications office (GCO) said arrivals from low-risk countries are required to take a coronavirus test at the airport and sign a formal pledge to adhere to quarantine at home for a week, state news agency (QNA) reported on its twitter account, citing a statement from GCO.

GCO said the list of low-risk countries will be published on the Ministry of Public Health’s website and will be reviewed every two weeks.

Travellers from low-risk countries who have obtained COVID-free certificates from an accredited testing centre within 48 hours of travelling will not have to take a test at the airport.

The measures come as the third phase of a four-phase plan to lift coronavirus restrictions starts at the beginning of August.

Qatar has reported 10,7430 coronavirus cases so far, with 160 deaths and 10,4191 recovered.

Source; https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001379685/qatar-allows-citizens-permanent-residents-to-travel-and-return-anytime