Recent trends in international travel aren’t encouraging. Many places are either doubling down on lengthy quarantine requirements or reimposing restrictions as COVID-19 cases spike. Border closures and quarantine rules change frequently. Air traffic appears to have peaked in August, and it’s unclear what’s ahead for the aviation industry. On all fronts there is a great deal of uncertainty around the coming autumn and it looks as if international travel is still a long way off for many of us.

However, there are quite a few countries currently open to both tourism and business travel, many with no restrictions whatsoever. A number of them require either a negative test just before travel or upon arrival – but as long as visitors don’t test positive, no quarantine is necessary. With that in mind here’s a look at nine countries most people can travel to right now with minimal hassle – along with a note about their current infection trends.

Whether it’s responsible to travel the world right now remains a hotly debated topic, and the risk of testing positive and getting stuck somewhere for at least two weeks remains a significant one – but if you do decide to go, these countries won’t stop you.

Mexico

Entry requirements: none. While the land border between the US and Mexico remains closed, it’s still possible to fly into various Mexican cities from anywhere that has a flight operating. No testing or quarantine requirements are currently in place.

Current COVID-19 trend: not looking great. Current daily case numbers are slightly below their recent peak but remain high, as do daily deaths.

Turkey

Entry requirements: none. Normal entry requirements for Turkey apply, and no COVID-19 test or quarantine is necessary for visitors. However incoming passengers will likely be checked for symptoms, and those who seem ill may be given a test on arrival.

Current COVID-19 trend: not the best, not the worst. Turkey continues to see relatively high case numbers daily and the trend has been increasing slightly. However numbers are well below their peak in April.

French PolynesiaEntry requirements: proof of negative test. This “overseas collectivity” of France requires proof of a negative PCR test taken at most three days prior to arrival. Visitors then must administer a self-test four days after arrival. No quarantine is required.

Current COVID-19 trend: overall very low numbers, but rising recently. August saw a spike in cases. Numbers are low but the spike is notable because the country had almost none prior to that (the islands opened to tourism in mid-July). Still, total cases number just 573, with no deaths reported to date.

MaldivesEntry requirements: proof of negative test. From September 10 the Maldives will require travelers to arrive with proof of a negative PCR test. Otherwise, no special rules apply – though only certain islands and resorts are open.

Current COVID-19 trend: elevated infections. The Maldives hasn’t had a big outbreak at any point but its daily infections in recent days are among the highest it has seen during the pandemic. The country has recorded just 29 deaths.

UAE (Dubai)

Entry requirements: proof of negative test and/or a possible additional test on arrival with a self-quarantine at your hotel or other residence for around 24 hours until results come back. Some arrivals will not be tested on arrival and they will not need to self-quarantine at all. Arriving passengers must also download a special COVID-19 app. At the moment many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival but only when arriving in Dubai.

Current COVID-19 trend: trending slightly upward across the UAE, with some recent spikes. The UAE has recorded 71,540 cases in total but only 387 deaths. For now, they seem to be on top of the outbreaks that are occurring.

KenyaEntry requirements: proof of negative test. The test must have been conducted within 96 hours of arrival. Otherwise, Kenya is currently fairly relaxed at the border, and travel around the country is not restricted.

Current COVID-19 trend: fairly good. After a spike in July and August, daily case numbers have fallen and deaths remain relatively low. It’s interesting to note that Kenya restarted international flights to and from the country on August 1 and since then case numbers have steadily decreased. Kenya has had 34,493 cases in total.

Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia

Entry requirements: none (details for Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia). With the European Union’s external borders closed to most people residing outside, it may be interesting to note that this Balkan trio of countries is open to just about anyone with few requirements. Each is distinct, of course, but given that they lie next to each other and form a notable exception for ease of entry on the continent, it seemed reasonable to lump them together. The three could even theoretically be combined for a multi-country trip, a real rarity these days.

One small caveat: for those entering Serbia from North Macedonia, Croatia, Bulgaria, or Romania, a negative PCR test will be required. Otherwise just about everyone is free to enter with no testing or quarantine requirements.Current COVID-19 trend: mixed. Albania has seen a rise in cases lately but still has under 300 deaths. North Macedonia’s curve is looking fairly flat but is probably worth keeping an eye on. And Serbia saw a peak in July but numbers have gone down quite a bit in recent weeks.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/gabrielleigh/2020/09/02/9-countries-you-can-travel-to-right-now/#6899b546758c

Forbes Magazine has listed Kenya among 9 countries open for both tourism and business travel, citing ‘fairly good’ COVID-19 trend.

The country is listed among countries like Mexico, Turkey, Maldives, and Dubai.

Of the many considerations, the country is seen as a favourable choice of destination during the ongoing global pandemic due to its lenient entry requirements.

According to the Ministry of Health, foreigners only need proof of a COVID-19 negative test, with the test having been conducted at least within 96 hours of arrival.

The current drop in cases of infections has also placed the country in a favourable position.

“It’s interesting to note that Kenya restarted international flights to and from the country on August 1st and since then case numbers have steadily decreased,” reads the article by the Forbes Magazine published on Thursday.

By yesterday, Kenya had 34,493 coronavirus cases recorded since March, out of which 20,449 have recovered and 581 fatalities.

The tourism sector has been on its knees since March when the country witnessed a lockdown from the rest of the world.

Over time, President Uhuru Kenyatta has relaxed some of the stringent precautionary measures though a dusk to dawn curfew is still in effect.

Bars and night clubs have been given 30 days to come up with the regulatory measures to curb the spread of coronavirus among revelers.

Source: https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2020/09/kenya-listed-alongside-9-countries-open-for-tourism-and-business-travel/

Thai government plans to ease travel restrictions to welcome foreign tourists from low- risk countries in a bid to revive the local economy.

Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha said the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) would discuss which areas will be suitable to receive foreign tourists as well as related disease control measures.

It will begin with the limited number of arrivals. They will be screened from the origins to the destinations and will stay only in tourist zones, he said. To help the most economically affected tourist destinations, the government is looking at allowing foreign tourists to stay in those prepared areas as a ‘sand box’ model.

The return of tourists is necessary for revival of the economy. If the government does nothing, all premises will be shut down and employees will be laid off. The government needs to relax restrictions and implement suitable measures to handle it, he added.

Meanwhile, Public Health Ministry’s Division for Communicable Diseases, Sophon Iamsirithawon said Thai has had zero local transmissions for more than 90 days since May 25.

Easing restrictions to allow resumption of business activities went smoothly but strict disease control measures must remain in place, he said.

Tourism will be also resumed under restricted safety rules.

It is expected to start receive foreign tourists in October. Initially, it targets to allow tourists from low-risk countries who come to Thailand for medical purposes and tourism, he added. (TNA)

Source: https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/thailand-prepares-to-receive-foreign-tourists-in-october-312559

Namibia’s government said Tuesday the country would reopen to foreign visitors from September 1 to try and salvage thousands of jobs in tourism, badly hit by coronavirus travel bans.

The announcement came despite a recent spike in coronavirus cases, which have almost tripled to over 6,000 this month.

Recorded deaths have risen from 11 to 57 since August 1.

“As from 1 September 2020, Namibia re-opens the Hosea Kutako International Airport to international tourists,” Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta announced on Tuesday.

“This is a targeted initiative for leisure travellers that will be reviewed bi-weekly and amended as necessary.”

Shifeta said all incoming tourists would be required to test negative for coronavirus no more than 72 hours before travelling.

They will then have to spend a minimum of seven days at their first destination.

Namibia is a sparsely populated southwest African country known for its wildlife and spectacular coastal desert. Tourism contributes around 10 percent to the country’s GDP. 

Around 1.6 million foreigners holidayed in Namibia last year, according to government figures.

The environment ministry has said that resuming international tourism ahead of the usual peak season — from September to December — could save up to 120,000 jobs.  

Borders were sealed on March 28 as part of early efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Namibians are still banned from travelling between towns — a restriction that will be waived for tourists.

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2020/08/26/namibia-to-resume-international-tourism-from-sept1.html

 

 

Dubai’s Emirates will resume flights to Guinea’s capital Conakry and Dakar, Senegal from September 3, taking the total number of cities served by the airline in Africa to eight.

Flights from Dubai to Conakry and Dakar will be linked services, operating twice weekly, utilizing an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the company said. The addition of these services will boost the airline’s network to 77 cities.

Customers can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.

Dubai was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Last year, the city welcomed 16.7 million visitors and hosted over hundreds of global meetings and exhibitions, as well as sports and entertainment events.

Source: https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/emirates-to-resume-flights-to-guinea-senegal-from-september-3-2020-1.1598426971893

 

The resumption of local and international flights has registered mixed fortunes for airlines. Whereas Kenya Airways says the demand for passenger flights remain low on international front, the domestic numbers have picked up in the recent days.

Due to the encouraging performance of the local flights especially in the coastal route, the national carrier will deploy the large capacity Boeing 737-800 to meet the increased capacity to Mombasa for Friday and Sunday.

At the moment, the carrier is using Embraer 190, which has a capacity of about 120 passengers depending on the configuration.

The domestic travel average load factor in the first week of operation was 56 per cent, which dipped slightly to 49 per cent. This has gradually risen to 59 per cent in the last week. The international load factor is currently at about 37 per cent.

“Demand is picking up on our domestic flights and especially Mombasa. We have good load factors on the flights we are operating, and we will be upgrading flights on Friday and Sunday to operate the Boeing 737-800 which increases our capacity by about 50 per cent more seats,” said Allan Kilavuka, KQ chief executive officer.

Mr Kilavuka said overall demand remains very low globally and the recovery is quite slow.

“We are yet to see resumption of travel for the corporate segment and many of the countries especially in Africa are yet to open up their airspaces or are still maintaining very restrictive travel conditions,” he said.

Weekend fares to South Coast on budget carriers have also gone up since the resumption of flights last month in what signals high demand for passengers seeking to travel to one of favourite tourist destinations as other routes grapple with low numbers

Airlines have been charging between 8,900 and Sh5,900 for a one-way ticket to Ukunda, making it one of the most expensive routes locally.

The carrier had forecasted passenger numbers to remain at half of its capacity for the remainder of the year after the airline resumed international flights to 30 destinations out of its 56 at pre-Covid.

For KQ, they believe that 2020 for them is like a lost year because of anticipated low demand, which at some point is as low as 25 per cent.

He said the airline will continue operating at a reduced scale with an extremely lean network, and this will continue for the foreseeable future.

As such, the carrier has been downsizing it work force in order to maintain a lean team following the reduction of routes where it currently flies.

The CEO said “staff rationalization”, which has been going on for some time, is a consequence of the overall relook at the business in response to how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on KQ. He said the exercise is being carried out across the organization so that “a long-term sustainability” of the company and downsizing gives the carrier an opportunity to reset the cost base based on the level of projected demand.

and then strategize for gradual growth in the long-term.

The carrier said the target is to reduce the company’s overall total fixed costs and not just the personnel, by about 50 per cent, which is in response to the airline revenue projections. As such, the firm has already reduced its network and it will also be cutting on some of its assets.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a recently updated global passenger forecast that the airlines will take at least four years to recover from the effects of Covid-19 as they resume operations.

“Global passenger traffic will not return to pre-COVID-19 levels until 2024, a year later than previously projected,” said IATA.

Low passenger numbers is set to hurt the carrier’s earnings in the current financial year. The airline reported a Sh12.9 billion loss for the financial year ended December 2019 up from Sh7.7 billion in 2018 with losses attributed to increased cost of operations.

Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/shipping/Kenya-Airways-banks-on-rising-demand-for-domestic-flights/4003122-5614048-7ybat5/index.html

 

 

Kenya is the first country globally to be awarded the recommended status of the ‘Safer Tourism Seal’ by Rebuilding Travel, this is according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism.

The statement said Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was presented with the award in a virtual event attended by global tourism leaders under the Rebuilding Travel umbrella, a global pro-tourism industry group composed of members of tourism boards, ministers of tourism, professional associations, industry stakeholders, researchers and academics, as well as travellers.

CS Balala said the award is testimony to Kenya’s continued efforts to ensure travellers’ safety following the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a destination, we have put together health and safety measures that are aimed at ensuring the safe reopening of the tourism sector. This is to ensure that our citizens, travellers, and workers are well protected,” said the CS.

“On behalf of my country I am happy to receive this recognition that shows we are headed in the right direction in regard to the COVID-19 safety protocols.”

The ministry termed the Safer Travel Seal as a recognizable symbol world over that will be key in positioning Kenya as a safe and preferred destination, further that it will be crucial in building travellers’ confidence in the destination as international travel resumes and hospitality outlets reopen.

After the pandemic broke, Kenya joined the World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) #TravelTomorrow campaign which was aimed at asking travellers to remain safe at home.

The Ministry of Tourism, through the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), also partnered with the private sector to keep the destination alive through a virtual live streaming and the #TheMagicAwaits Campaign.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has actively kept the Crisis Communication research center in collaboration with Kenyatta University (KU) active in establishing the challenges that affect the tourism sector at this period and mitigating on the same. The Destination Crisis and issues management Strategy has since been launched and a committee gazetted to oversee the crisis on a long-term basis,” read the statement.

“To receive this recognition, a destination must address key aspects known as “tourism surety” through ensuring, travellers’ safety, security, destination’s reputation, economic viability, and health.”

This recognition follows the Safe Travel Stamp award to Kenya by the World Travel and Tourism Council in June this year.

“I can say confidently that we have rolled out successfully the protocols we put in place together with the Ministry of Health,” added CS Balala.

“If you visit our hotels, eateries, and other tourism outlets in Kenya you will be ensured of safety if you adhere to the guidelines. I encourage all those who wish to visit our country to do so in confidence.”

The Rebuilding Travel members congratulated CS Balala for the award and recognized the initiatives taken by the government of Kenya through the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health in ensuring traveler safety.

The global tourism and travel sector like other sectors that drive economies has been badly hit following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Locally, the sector is gradually re-opening following the ease in lock down measures put in place by the government to curb the spread of the virus and the resumption of air travel.

The Safer Tourism Seal recognition will be up for renewal in 2022 if the destination will have then met the “tourism surety” requirements.

Source: https://citizentv.co.ke/news/kenya-becomes-first-country-to-be-awarded-safer-tourism-seal-343252/

 

Kenya Airways will cut New York flights to one weekly when it resumes operations in that route on October 29.

KQ says the Covid-19 has affected demand for flying worldwide, hence the need to scale down on the number of flights operated on some routes.

Kenya Airways chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka said the flights will, however, be upgraded once the demand for flying picks up.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected travel demand worldwide. It will be a gradual resumption starting with one weekly service. As we are doing with all the other routes, we will monitor the trends and make the necessary adjustment to the frequency based on demand,” said Mr Kilavuka.

The airline was operating five flights to New York before the Covid-19 pandemic that saw the carrier ground all its aircraft in early April.

Kenya Airways had started direct flights to the US in October 2018, cutting the journey to 15 hours on the long-haul route tapped as part of an effort to revive the airline’s fortunes.

Kenya Airways had forecast its daily direct flights to the US, which it launched for the first time in October 2018, would boost annual revenues by more than 10 percent in 2019 and 2020.

The long-haul route aimed to encourage more business and tourist travel, with the US being one of Kenya’s biggest source of visitors.

The carrier had delayed the flights to New York and China when it resumed international flights on August 1.

However, the China flights have already resumed, earlier than it had been projected after the carrier received authorization from the Chinese authorities.

“We resumed our flights to China and this was earlier than we had expected. The reason for this was an approval that we had sought was received earlier than expected,” said Mr Kilavuka.

The carrier is currently operating one flight to Guangzhou, a city it has been flying previously.

“We will review the frequency based on passenger demand and adjust accordingly to cater for our customer requirements,” the CEO said.

Kenya Airways on January 31 suspended all flights to and from China amid a virus outbreak that had killed more than 200 people in Beijing and had spread to 18 countries at the time.

The virus had by yesterday infected more than 14.5 million people and killed more than 600,000 globally.

Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/companies/Kenya-Airways-cuts-New-York-fights-to-once-a-week/4003102-5614740-sbqk3az/index.html

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said earlier this month that the country’s tourism, the sector hit hardest by COVID-19, was now on a recovery path after months of downturn.

Kenyatta, who spoke during a virtual meeting with elite Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya’s new goodwill ambassador for tourism, expressed satisfaction with the measures being taken by stakeholders in the hospitality sector to protect tourists from the pandemic.

“Safety is not really just a government issue. It is an individual choice. To remain safe and by so doing, keep everybody else safe,” he said in a statement issued after the meeting.

Kenyatta urged Kenyans and visitors to continue observing outbreak-containment protocols.

Kipchoge was in the Masai Mara Game Reserve with his family to witness this year’s annual wildebeest migration.

The president says Kenya is ready to receive tourists and encouraged local and foreign travelers to take advantage of the prevailing low rates to visit the country’s famous sites.

“We have also opened up our skies, and flights are coming. We welcome all those who choose to come,” he says.

The East African nation’s tourism sector had slumped to its lowest level in decades following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, as restrictions put in place locally and internationally curtailed travel.

Since March, the sector has lost 81.8 billion shillings ($770 million), roughly half of its average annual revenue, Tourism Minister Najib Balala says.

The pandemic had literally grounded the industry to a halt, with over 2.3 million employees sent home, a majority on unpaid leave and the lucky ones receiving half pay.

All the top hotels, lodges and destinations were shut down over the past months as they grappled with the lack of visitors.

During the meeting, Kipchoge said he was grateful to represent his country as a tourism goodwill ambassador and assured the president that he will do his best to promote the country as a top travel destination.

Balala says hotels in the Maasai Mara were fully booked, mostly by local tourists, for the current high season and encourages Kenyans and inbound travelers to visit destinations across the country.

Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202008/18/WS5f3b1c8ea310834817260e0b.html

Qatar Airways has made refund payments totalling over $1 billion since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March.

The $1.2 billion figure covers over 600,000 passengers, with 96 per cent of refund requests since March now having been processed.

The carrier said that it is currently processing all new refunds back to the original form of payment in less than 30 days.

Qatar Airways also said that 36 per cent of passengers had chosen alternatives to refunds, including exchanging tickets for future travel vouchers, or swapping tickets for Q Miles.

At the height of the crisis the airline said it was getting over 10,000 refund requests per day, leading it to increase automation capabilities (allowing customers to request refunds and travel vouchers online), and redeploying staff from other areas of the business including cabin crew and ground services.

Consumers’ association Which? recently reported that several UK airlines are failing to refund passengers in the timesframes agreed with the Civil Aviation Authority, singling out Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic and Tui and calling on the government “to give the CAA the clout to effectively hold airlines to account”.

Commenting on the news the group’s CEO Akbar Al Baker said:

“With the impact of Covid-19 on global travel, passengers have had to change their plans at short notice and it has been difficult for them to plan ahead with any certainty. What they want and deserve are flexibility and reliability, and in Qatar Airways we hope they find an airline they can trust.

“The amount we have paid out in refunds has undoubtedly had an impact on our bottom line, but it is our duty to do the right thing by our customers and trade partners and as an airline we are strong enough to mitigate the impact of this.”

Source: https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/08/20/qatar-airways-pays-out-1-2-billion-in-refunds/