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

 

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

Effective 20^th 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 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

 

The UAE has announced that COVID-19 test will be mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving via the country’s airports, irrespective of the countries they are coming from. Children under the age of 12 and those with severe and moderate disabilities will be exempted from the test requirement, which has 96 hours of validity from the date of testing. The decision will come into effect on August 1, UAE Embassy to Azerbaijan told APA. 

The decision to require PCR tests for all passengers reflects the UAE’s determination to establish safe and responsible travel measures, which will protect both passengers and the aviation industry for the duration of the pandemic. These measures have been introduced following extensive consultations between industry leaders, governments, and health authorities. Although not all risks can be avoided, these measures are designed to mitigate risks as much as scientifically possible.

As a leading transport hub, the UAE is determined to play its part in restoring safe global travel and connectivity. With one of the world’s highest testing rates, a low caseload, and stringent health protocols in place, the UAE is one of the safest countries in the world to visit.

Source: https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/UAE-announces-mandatory-PCR-test-for-all-airport-arrivals-326468

In a unique offer, Dubai’s Emirates airline will now cover medical expenses of up to 150,000 euros (Dh638,363) and quarantine costs of 100 euros (Dh425.5) per day for 14 days for passengers should they be diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel while they are away from home.

This service is free of cost to the customers.

This cover for Covid-19 related medical expenses and quarantine costs is offered by Emirates free of cost to its customers regardless of class of travel or destination. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until October 31, 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before October 31, 2020). It is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey. This means Emirates customers can continue to benefit from the added assurance of this cover, even if they travel onwards to another city after arriving at their Emirates destination.

Customers do not need to register or fill in any forms before they travel, and they are not obligated to utilise this cover provided by Emirates.

Any impacted customer who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel simply has to contact a dedicated hotline to avail of assistance and cover.

The hotline number, and details of what Covid-19 related expenses are covered, is available on www.emirates.com/COVID19assistance.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group chairman and chief executive said: “Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Emirates is proud to lead the way in boosting confidence for international travel. We know people are yearning to fly as borders around the world gradually re-open, but they are seeking flexibility and assurances should something unforeseen happen during their travel.”

He added: “Emirates has worked hard to put in place measures at every step of the customer journey to mitigate risk of infection, and we have also revamped our booking policies to offer flexibility. We are now taking it to the next level, by being the first in the industry to offer our customers free global cover for Covid-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs should they incur these costs during their travel. It is an investment on our part, but we are putting our customers first, and we believe they will welcome this initiative.”

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/emirates-to-offer-free-cover-of-covid-19-medical-costs-for-passengers-

Passengers arriving on late-night international flights will be exempted from the nationwide 9 pm-4 am curfew which is aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

The Transport ministry said the exemption would enable airlines to operate smoothly at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) without the inconvenience of the lockdown rule.

“International passengers will be exempted from restrictions on movement past curfew hours when the international flights resume,” the ministry said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on July 6 announced a phased reopening of the country from a Covid-19 lockdown, lifting restrictions on travel in and out of the capital Nairobi and Mombasa and allowing air travel to resume.

The easing out saw domestic commercial and passenger flights restart on July 15, while international travel is scheduled to resume from August 1.

Airlines have nonetheless had to restrict their domestic flight schedules in adherence to the curfew hours—affecting the frequency of services.

This doesn’t augur well for most of the international flights which arrive into the country late-night, especially those from Europe and the Middle East.

Transport Cabinet secretary James Macharia last week also exempted passengers and tourists arriving in the country from mandatory quarantine if they do not show any symptoms of Covid-19.

“All passengers shall be exempted from quarantine on arrival at their destinations if their body temperatures are not above 37.5 degrees Celsius and they do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing and other flu-like symptoms,” Mr Macharia said last week.

The decision is part of a strategy aimed at restoring Kenya’s economy, which has been hit hard by Covid-19, slowing to 2.5 percent growth this year from 5.4 percent previously. Tourism alone, which is one of the key pillars of the economy, incurred losses amounting to Sh85 billion.

The government protocols on commercial air transport released last month require the aviation players to adhere to the highest level of safety for customers and staff.

The rules cover all transport sectors, including the standard gauge railway (SGR) passenger service, which resumed last week. The passenger train currently makes a single return trip from Nairobi to Mombasa at half passenger capacity, with the afternoon train to Nairobi arriving at 6 p.m. in order to beat the curfew hours.

Africa Star Railway Operation Company (Afristar), which operates the SGR, said it had deployed 10 coaches, including eight economy and two first-class, to ferry passengers between Nairobi and Mombasa. One coach had been set aside to cater to suspected Covid-19 cases.

In normal times, Afristar deployed two trains from Nairobi to Mombasa and the same number for the return trip every day. The SGR passenger service, also known as Madaraka Express, was launched on May 31, 2017.

Freight services on the SGR were, however, not interrupted by the pandemic.

Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/economy/International-air-passengers-exempted-curfew/3946234-5597666-12k6i8q/index.html

Emirates has announced it will resume flights to Tehran (from 17 July), Guangzhou (from 25 July), Addis Ababa (from 1 August), and Oslo (from 4 August), expanding connectivity for customers with these latest cities rejoining its network across the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Europe.

This will take the airline’s passenger network to 62 destinations in August, offering customers around the world more convenient connections to Dubai, and via Dubai.

All flights will be operated with the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER and can be booked on emirates.com or via travel agents.

Dubai is open: Customers from across Emirates’ network can now to travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for business and leisure visitors with new air travel protocols that safeguard the health and safety of visitors and communities. For more information on entry requirements for international visitors to Dubai, visit: www.emirates.com/flytoDubai

Flexibility and assurance: With the gradual re-opening of borders over the summer, Emirates has revised its booking policies to offer customers more flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers whose travel plans are disrupted by COVID-19 related flight or travel restrictions, can simply hold on to their ticket which will be valid for 24 months and rebook to fly at a later time; request travel vouchers to offset against future Emirates purchases, or request refunds via an online form on Emirates’ website or via their travel booking agent.

Health and safety first: Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers. For more information on these measures and the services available on each flight, visit: www.emirates.com/yoursafety

Travel restrictions: Customers are reminded that travel restrictions remain in place, and travellers will only be accepted on flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries. 

Source: https://www.rustourismnews.com/2020/07/17/emirates-to-resume-flights-to-addis-ababa-guangzhou-oslo-and-tehran/

The plugin provides travel agencies with the latest information on government restrictions, lockdowns and safety measures across the globe – all within the agent workflow. It is available free-of-charge to all Travelport customers globally, using Travelport Smartpoint 8.2 or above, and can be downloaded directly from Travelport Marketplace.

The new tool provides detailed information on a range of topics, including: lockdown rules, entry requirements and quarantine measures for travelers. Country-level information can be displayed at the click of a button, allowing agents to advise their customers easily and instantly.

Kyle Moore, Global Head of Customer Strategy and Marketing, Travelport, said: “The travel ecosystem today is probably the most complex it has ever been, with government, airline, and hotel policies in every country constantly-changing. We’re making sure our agent partners no longer need to constantly leave their workflow to search for accurate and up-to-date information – greatly improving their efficiency in servicing their traveler customers.”

 The information in the Travelport COVID-19 Smartpoint Plugin is provided by global travel safety intelligence provider, Safeture, and is updated daily. “Our collaboration with Travelport will provide millions of travelers with the information they need to make informed decisions. With travel showing signs of a long-awaited recovery, creating this sense of security will be key to the reopening of economies and societies,” commented Magnus Hultman, Chief Executive Officer of Safeture.

“Working with the Travelport COVID-19 Smartpoint Plugin will allow our consultants to advise our customers with up-to-date destination information regarding this pandemic straight from the Smartpoint desktop. Travelport has turned this around quickly. It is great to know they are listening to the needs of the industry and are prepared to supply new leading-edge tools that can help aid recovery,” said Colin Boddy, Group Commercial Director, Meon Valley Travel Group.

“With the Travelport COVID-19 Smartpoint Plugin, we can provide reliable information to clients on the destinations they’re planning to travel to or through, without leaving the workflow. In this way, we’re able to continue providing a top-class service to clients who can confidently make travel choices and book flights,” commented Scott Pawley, Managing Director, Global Travel Management.

The plugin is the latest Travelport initiative to arm travel agents with the safety information they need and to support a safe, healthy, and responsible return to travel. In recent months, Travelport has:

– Created the travel technology industry’s first COVID-19 Resource Hub; compiling information such travel supplier policy trackers, relevant news, and guides. To-date, the company has registered more than 80,000 visits to the hub.

– Contributed to the formation of various World Travel and Tourism Council protocols aimed at supporting a strong industry recovery.

– Helped airlines to use the Travelport Rich Content and Branding merchandising solution to communicate safety information to travel agents.

– Worked with hotel groups to utilize descriptive space on the GDS screens to communicate safety information.

Source: https://ftnnews.com/technology/39888-travelport-launches-free-covid-19-smartpoint-plugin-for-travel-agencies