Slovenia’s tourism industry has seen a strong recovery this year, although the type of tourists has changed, reports Xinhua news agency…reports Asian Lite News.
The number of overnight stays by tourists in Slovenia jumped by about 8.5 times year-on-year in November 2021, the country’s statistics office said.
The November figures also surpassed those from the same month in 2019, the last pre-Covid year, according to statistics.
Slovenia’s tourism industry has seen a strong recovery this year, although the type of tourists has changed, reports Xinhua news agency.
Domestic tourists accounted for almost 70 per cent of all overnight stays this November, compared to only 37.4 per cent in November 2019.
Meanwhile, the number of foreign tourists’ overnight stays has halved versus November 2019.
However, compared to 2020, the situation this year was better, said the office.
“This November many more tourist arrivals and overnight stays of domestic and foreign tourists were recorded compared to November 2020 due to eased Covid-19 epidemic measures,” the office said.
Slovenia reported its first cases of the Omicron variant on December 14 this year, but the government didn’t choose another general lockdown, trying to avoid damaging the country’s economy.
Slovenian tourism was badly hit by the pandemic, which prompted the government to issue tourist vouchers for domestic citizens of up to 300 euros ($265).
These can be used for visits within Slovenia until the end of June 2022.
Before the outbreak of Covid-19, tourism represented about 10.6 per cent of the country’s GDP, but it fell to 6.5 per cent in 2020.
Soraida Lozano, a delegate of the Ministry of Tourism in the province, told local media that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic had severely affected the global tourism industry…reports Asian Lite News.
Cuba has welcomed the first cruise ship of its current high tourist season, which will run through March 2022.
With 84 German tourists on board, the World Voyager ship docked at a port of Santiago de Cuba, the second largest province of the Caribbean nation, on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency.
Soraida Lozano, a delegate of the Ministry of Tourism in the province, told local media that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic had severely affected the global tourism industry.
“We will continue to do our best for tourists to return,” Lozano said, adding that all measures had been taken to protect the health of the passengers and crew members of the cruise ship.
The cruise ship will continue its journey to the central province of Cienfuegos on Monday.
The total number of tourists visiting the island nation in 2021 is expected to be less than half a million, according to Cuba’s tourism authorities.
The Minister said these promotions will be carried out through social media, and at international conferences and exhibitions as well…reports Asian Lite News.
Sri Lanka has registered more than 150,000 tourist arrivals so far this year, as the number peaked after over 47,000 people landed in the island nation in the first 20 days of December, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.
According to official figures, Sri Lanka recorded a total of 47,120 tourists in the first 20 days of December, surpassing November’s number, reports Xinhua news agency.
Ranatunga said that in an effort to increase the month-on-month growth rate of tourist arrivals, promotions will be launched by the Tourism Ministry and the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, in cities across the globe.
The Minister said these promotions will be carried out through social media, and at international conferences and exhibitions as well.
The island nation’s government has said that it will declare 2022 as the Visit Sri Lanka Year.
What could be more romantic than an intimate picnic with your loved one on an award-winning beach? All that’s needed are the essentials: towels, food, and a trip to the beach!… report Asian Lite News.
Seychelles is not just recognised for its turquoise crystal waters, world-renowned beaches, or peaceful way of life, but it is also one of the world’s best romantic vacation destinations. Here is a list of the best romantic activities to do as a couple in Seychelles, ranging from indulging in decadent local food to unwinding in a well-deserved spa vacation!
Underwater Experience
It can be a sensory experience to go on an underwater journey in the deep blue sea. The island is home to a diverse range of marine species, and diving to the deepest depths of the Seychelles’ waters can reveal a breathtaking ecology. Another alternative for viewing the unmatched variety of fish and corals in a calm setting is glass bottom boats and semi submarines.
Local Cuisine
Seychelles has a diverse culinary heritage, with influences from India, China, and Africa. Because Seychelles is a melting pot, the country’s cuisine is brimming with tantalising flavours, brilliant colours, and aromatic fragrances. The island’s shores are lined with trendy eateries that combine gourmet creole cuisine with a beautiful outlook. Couples could try the pleasures of Creole cuisine, such as mouthwatering banana la daube to satisfy your sweet craving and smokey grilled fish to properly enjoy the local delicacies.
Beach Picnic
What could be more romantic than an intimate picnic with your loved one on an award-winning beach? All that’s needed are the essentials: towels, food, and a trip to the beach! Every inch of the island’s shoreline has a breathtaking view, so there are never any shortages of picnic locations. Rent a luxury picnic that is exclusively for you and your significant other to up the ante. Luxury picnics are ideal for honeymooners since they relieve you of any duties and allow you to fully immerse yourself in an exclusive experience.
Spa and Retreat Day
With a much-needed day at the spa, you can add a pinch of relaxation to your stay! A holistic vacation is exactly what the doctor ordered, and many packages include a premium spa session for couples to relax. Most hotels have couples massages that cater to everyone’s needs, from rejuvenating facials to full-body massages laced with local herbs and fruits. Seychelles’ flora and fauna are intricately intertwined with the island’s vibrations, amplifying their restorative properties.
Adventure Time
Adrenaline junkies, come together! Why not zip-line through the lush green forest canopy? There’s always more to discover on the island, so why not? The island is known for its tranquilly, yet couples that enjoy adventure will find Seychelles to be a paradise. Adventure seekers can kitesurf while overlooking a gorgeous backdrop during the windy season, and courageous newlyweds can even go horseback riding for a fairy tale atmosphere.
Sunset on the beach
Watching the sunset together will bring a bow to the end of your day. The north is the best place to see the sky change from beautiful blue to blazing amber. Nothing beats a leisurely stroll on the beach for a romantic evening.
A remake of the 1966 Tamil film, ‘Madras to Pondicherry’, it was shot in Goa and neighbouring Belgaum (Belgavi) in Karnataka, apart from studios in Chennai…writes Sourish Bhattacharyya and Akshay Acharya
In the popular imagination, ‘Bobby’ was the original ‘Goan’ film, but it was filmed everywhere but Goa — from Gulmarg to Raj Kapoor’s farmhouse on the Pune-Solapur highway.
India’s smallest state, and comedy-action director Rohit Shetty’s favourite shooting location, made its maiden appearance in a Bollywood film with Amitabh Bachchan’s 1969 debut movie, ‘Saat Hindustani’.
The low-budget film (Big B reportedly was paid a lordly sum of Rs 5,000 for it!) was about six Indians from different parts of the country who joined a Goan freedom fighter and roused nationalist sentiments in the colony by hoisting the Indian Tricolour on Portuguese forts and police stations. Loosely based on ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (1943), the film was directed by the writer-auteur Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, who, incidentally, wrote ‘Bobby’ and a number of other Raj Kapoor movies.
Utpal Dutt, the Malayalam cinema veteran Madhu, A.K. Hangal and Jalal Agha played the lead roles in ‘Saat Hindustani’, but it didn’t quite set the box-office registers ringing. It did, however, pick up a couple of awards, including the National Awards for Most Promising Newcomer for the Big B, who, in the film, famously declares under a Portuguese soldier’s bayonet, “Hum Hindustani rengte nahin hain” (“We Indians don’t crawl”).
Goa’s liberation struggle forms the central narrative of the yet another Bollywood film (‘Pukar’, 1983), starring Bachchan in the lead role along with Randhir Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Prem Chopra (who plays another Goan, Jack Braganza, in ‘Bobby’) and Tina Munim, but, again, it struggled in the box-office. And it was shot in Daman and Diu.
Now a no-brainer film shoot location, Goa made its first substantive appearance in a Bollywood movie in the superhit road film ‘Bombay to Goa’ (1972), another Bachchan-starrer, where the lead role was played by the comedian Mehmood.
A remake of the 1966 Tamil film, ‘Madras to Pondicherry’, it was shot in Goa and neighbouring Belgaum (Belgavi) in Karnataka, apart from studios in Chennai.
In a blog post, Bachchan said the fight scene in it with Shatrughan Sinha got him his iconic role in Prakash Mehra’s 1973 film ‘Zanjeer’. He also remembered how the film’s crew had to struggle to make him get his dance steps right, especially for his famous ‘Dekha Na Hai Re’ number with Aruna Irani.
Since then, Goa, which is now also the permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has featured regularly in Hindi cinema, from Shyam Benegal’s Trikal (1985), which was shot in the late cartoonist Mario Miranda’s ancestral home in Loutolim, to most famously Rohit Shetty’s laugh-a-minute ‘Golmaal’ series (2006-10), Singham (2011) and Drishyam (2015).
Here’s our pick of just some of the memorable Bollywood films which have been filmed in locations across Goa:
Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981): Scenes of South-North love story starring Kamal Haasan-Rati Agnihotri were shot at the old Patto bridge, Dona Paula jetty, Shantadurga temple and Hervalem waterfalls, according to a listing in Goa’s ‘Herald’ newspaper. Kamal Haasan was cast in yet another Goa-themed film, ‘Saagar’ (1985) by Ramesh Sippy, which also featured the older ‘Bobby’ duo, Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, who was returning to films after marriage.
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Nahin (1994): One of Shah Rukh Khan’s most memorable movies directed by Kundan Shah, it was filmed at Colva beach, Fort Aguada and the ruins of St Augustine.
Khamoshi – The Musical (1996): Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut film with Nana Patekar, Seema Biswas and Manisha Koirala was shot in parts at Anjuna, Old Goa and the Saligao church. Bhansali’s 2011 film ‘Guzaarish’, where Hrithik Roshan plays a famous magician crippled by an accident, is also a visual ode to Goa.
Dil Chahta Hai (2001): Farhan Akhtar’s coming-of-age cult hit starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna put Goa on the map of a new generation of Indian travellers and made Chapora Fort a go-to destination.
Golmaal Series (2006-17): The four films of this series revolving around the comic capers of four friends infamously getting into trouble, played by Ajay Devgn, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Shreyas Talpade (Sharman Joshi in the first film), have been shot mainly at Panjim, Dona Paula and Fort Aguada. And Goa, we’re told, will feature yet again (along with Devgn) in Shetty’s fifth ‘Golmaal’ film — ‘Phir Golmaal’ (scheduled for a December 2023 release).
Honeymoon Travel Pvt. Ltd. (2007): Reema Katgi’s critically acclaimed film, apart from being shot in popular locations such as Dona Paula and Fort Aguada, also showcases Our Lady of Mount Chapel and Corjuem fort.
Singham (2011): Rohit Shetty’s cop drama is another Goa-centric film, which is still remembered for the action sequence where Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn) beats up the villain Jaikant Shikre’s goons at Dona Paula Jetty. It turned the location into a major tourist attraction. Another Shetty-Devgn collaboration, the 2015 action film ‘Drishyam’, also had Goa as its backdrop, notably Panaji, the state capital.
Dum Maaro Dum (2011): Rohan Sippy’s crime drama may not have been commercial success, but it is remembered for its shots of the crowded Arpora market as it is.
Go Goa Gone (2013): The 2013 comedy, directed by the Family Man duo — Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoni — and starring Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu, Vir Das, Puja Gupta and Anand Tiwari, narrates the story of three friends whose Goa vacation goes horribly wrong as a zombie apocalypse breaks loose.
Finding Fanny (2014): Directed by Homi Adjania, the film, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia, Deepika Padukone and Arjun Kapoor, moves away from popular locations and explores the lesser-known Parra, Cortalim, Aldona, Assagao, Saligao and Socorro as it follows five dysfunctional friends who set out on a road trip in search of Fanny, the love interest of the character played by Shah.
Dear Zindagi (2016): The film with a young Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan is set against stunning backdrops, such as the Parra road flanked on both sides by coconut trees, the village Salvador do Mundo in Bardez, which is much visited for its eponymous 16th-century church, whose Portuguese name means ‘Saviour of the World’) and Morjim beach.
Brick and mortar structures, most of these big temples are 400-year-old, have unique tiled, sloping roofs and almost all of them have ‘deep maal’, a vertical decorative pillar with niches to keep earthen oil lamps…writes Nivedita Khandekar
When Pune’s D.S. Pai visited Goa four years ago for an official conference, he took out time early one morning to visit his Kuldev, family deity, Ramnathi temple at Bandivade. “My colleagues were interested and came along with me. They said they did not even know of the existence of such a beautiful temple,” Pai, who is India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) head, Long-Range Forecast, told on phone.
Pai’s family migrated to Kerala in the 17th century when the Portuguese took over Goa. Like him, several others chose to make Kerala their home, but almost all of them have retained ties with the family deity even now. The trips have increased since he was posted to Pune, he said.
Pai is not the only example. Not all visitors to this sunshine state go to the beach first but a bulk of them are actually temple goers. In fact, even when for the majority of tourists visiting Goa, the equation is simple: ‘Goa = Sun, Sand & Sea’, over a dozen major temples and several smaller ones attract regular and annual crowds that have a sizable contribution to Goa’s economy.
World Tourism Day: Jaipur, Goa, Kochi to be most popular leisure destinations.
According to India Tourism Statistics 2019, a government of India publication, in 2017, Goa had 68,95,234 domestic and 8,42,220 foreign tourists while in 2018, the respective number of 70,81,559 and 9,33,841 showing a growth rate of 2.70 per cent and 10.88 per cent, respectively. Of course, the pandemic changed the situation, and the tourism sector was the hardest hit. In 2021, even when the domestic sector has picked up slowly, foreign tourists’ numbers are no match.
But even before the pandemic and lockdown, tourists in general were unaware of Goa’s rich tradition of multiple temples for centuries, and it would only be the niche tourists who would opt for it or those like Pai, who came for their deities.
Amongst the 50-odd main temples across Goa, about a dozen stand out for various reasons, their distinct architecture being one of them. Brick and mortar structures, most of these big temples are 400-year-old, have unique tiled, sloping roofs and almost all of them have ‘deep maal’, a vertical decorative pillar with niches to keep earthen oil lamps. Each temple compulsorily has a tank / water body next to it.
Shiva temple at priol ponda about 22 km from Panaji, Goa. (Wikipedia)
Mangeshi temple is amongst the most famous, but there are scores of others. Shantadurga at Kawale, Mhalsa Narayani at Mhardol, Lakshmi Nrusinha at Veling, Ramnathi and Mahalakshmi at Bandivade, Kamakashi at Shiroda, Santeri at Kelshi are amongst the bigger temples. Many of them are listed on the official website of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).
And then there are temples with even older vintage. The 1000-year-old Mahadev temple at Tambdi Surla near the border with Maharashtra and about 700-year-old Rudreshwar temple at Harale are the stone temples. When the Portuguese conquered Goa, devotees of several temples lining the coastal areas took the deities away to either deep inside the forests and undulating landscape of Goan territory, which now comprises the area between Panaji and Fonda, or further away to coastal Karnataka. With it, a lot of community members — all Konkani speakers — too migrated away to almost the entire coastal belt from south Gujarat to Kerala. Konkani speaking Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSBs), scores of Marathi speaking families from across Maharashtra and of course, many from Goa itself, all have their family deities in Goa.
Shanta Durga at Amone is the family deity, the Kuldevi, of senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai’s family that hails from Madgaon. Not much into religious rituals — “God resides in my heart” — Sardesai said, “but I visit Goa for family functions regularly”.
Sardesai agreed that outsiders are unaware of the rich temple traditions. “Goa lives by the river and not by the sea. Once you start discovering the river, you discover the real Goa. There is nothing wrong in promoting beaches but there is more to Goa than the beaches,” he said.
Over the decades, especially after Independence, the diaspora spread to other states and even abroad. Many families make it a point to annually visit their family deities, many visit when there is a special occasion such as a marriage in the family and likewise. “The Goan temples are unique by the fact that the deities are identified not just as Brahminical, but those belonging to all types of communities. The temples had a land of their own, they supported the economy of the area around them,” said Padmashree Vinayak Khedikar, author who has documented the folk arts and literary traditions of Goa.
Families and villages from ‘thal’, a local term meaning the catchment for that temple, were dependent on the temple as a central institution and in turn they donated to the temple. “Each of the temples is an independent Sansthan institution. Till a few decades ago, anyone from the thal getting married would get a saree and dhoti from the temple. Also, some minor repairs or such chores to be carried out at people’s homes were supported by the temple,” said Khedikar, who has authored a book ‘Goa Dev Mandal: Unnayan aani Sthalantar’ (Goa temple boards: upgradation and migration). e
“Except for the law & order, the temples reigned over their respective thal even in the Portuguese era. There was a Mahajan system — which led to a Mahajani Act in the late 18thecentury — who were responsible for the maintenance of the temples and all its real estate. There were separate families identified for daily puja. Much of it has changed later,” he said. But he was non-committal about the popularity of these temples. Sardesai said, “Temples would have to be promoted by the local community.”
“Last 6-8 years, lots of people who read my blogs budget a day or two for temples and inform me or ping me or ask for information. Sometimes, they also put out a thread on social media and tag me to say, it was because of my blog,” said Anuradha Goyal, author, columnist and blogger based in Goa and who has extensively written about Goa temples.
There has been no active promotion of temples by the state either. The BJP government for the last 10 years has had no promotional schemes for popularising temples to domestic tourists. However, given the political mileage that ‘pilgrimage’ is yielding — Delhi Chief Minister has announced trains to pilgrim places from Goa; West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Trinamool Congress stood for the temple, mosque and church; the Congress seems to have slowly woken up to the opportunity.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Ramakant Khalap agreed that temple tourism has been neglected and also acknowledged the contribution of temples in Goa’s economy. “Ahead of the Assembly elections, we are preparing the Congress manifesto. It will prominently feature dev ghar (temple) promotion and planning to celebrate Goa as ‘God’s Own Abode’,” Khalap said.
However, his idea of places of worship is not restricted to Hindu temples. “We plan to promote all places of worship. Puranas tell us this is a place reclaimed by Parshuram. Parvati did her penance here, we have Shanta Durga. Then much later came the Buddhists and Jain, there are a lot of remnants. Jews were here, Muslims were here and last were the Portuguese. Goa is a good example of how all religions have a syncretic existence. The temples, churches, and mosques, we have all of them,” he said.
“Our manifesto will demand to have designated state festivals from each religion,” Khalap added.
Sri Lankan tourism has been recognised as a thrust sector to rebuild the economy and was identified as an export sector…reports Asian Lite News.
The Sri Lankan government is all set to declare 2022 as the “Visit Sri Lanka Year” in line with the integrated five-year Global Communication Campaign (GCC), as its aims to attract 6 million tourists and $10 billion in earnings by 2025 despite the challenges by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As per our pre-Covid plan, it is critical to embark on an effective and holistic destination marketing campaign. This targeted program will not be altered even amidst the pandemic challenges,” Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was quoted as saying by the local media.
I visited the Kalutara area on the 29th and identified new tourist attractions and focused on promoting those tourist attractions. pic.twitter.com/mJL1PqrtaI
The Minister said Sri Lanka aims to generate $10 billion in income by attracting 6 million tourists by 2025, as set by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his policy statement of “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, reports Xinhua news agency
Sri Lankan tourism has been recognised as a thrust sector to rebuild the economy and was identified as an export sector.
According to official statistics, 101,872 tourists arrived from January 1 to November 28, which included 41,177 tourists that arrived in the island nation this month.
As Sri Lanka reopened the borders for tourists, a press conference for both national and international media was held today to answer any questions regarding this matter. pic.twitter.com/U6rkvM6Won
Tourism was one of the worst-hit industries by the pandemic in Sri Lanka with the livelihoods of nearly 4 million people, directly and indirectly, affected by the lockdowns and the closing of borders.
The Summit will discuss the challenges facing the tourism industry at present and the lessons learned from Covid crisis, especially in terms of tourists with disabilities, reports Asian Lite News
The Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit (DATIS) that works towards facilitating better tourism facilities for the People of Determination will hold its second session, on Wednesday, 12th January, 2022, at the J W Marriott Marquis Hotel.
This under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Dubai
The DATIS-2022, supported by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is to be held under the title, Tourism for All, to shed light on the challenges faced by about one billion people who need a variety of assistance as per the World Health Organisation (WHO). As residents, visitors or tourists in cities across the world, their requirements need to be strengthened through legislation, laws, infrastructure and services that meet their aspirations and fulfil their rights to discover the world comfortably.
The Summit comes as the travel and tourism sectors gradually return after the catastrophic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the world. It will discuss the challenges facing the tourism industry at present and the lessons learned from the crisis, especially in terms of tourists with disabilities. Dubai has taken the initiative to return the accessible tourism to its former self as it has been one among the first destinations that successfully opened to international tourists, months before hosting the Expo 2020 Dubai from October for six months, as part of its vision to become one of the most preferred destinations for tourists with disabilities.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed said, “The UAE has placed the comfort and care of People of Determination as a core pillar of its community’s wellbeing. In line with the vision of our leadership to be amongst the friendliest countries in the world for People of Determination, we are pleased to host the second edition of DATIS, to showcase how we have made our cities more accessible and enjoyable for millions of tourists with disabilities from around the world. ” ”The Summit will give us a chance to meet like-minded leaders and experts from across the globe to share our insights, experiences and best practices and also help us further improve our cities and tourist facilities, including hotels, resorts, airports, transport services, shopping malls, beaches, parks and museums, to serve the requirements of tourists with disabilities from around the world and ensure they get the best possible services and experience in our country.”
Dubai
He added, “Thanks to the UAE’s visionary leadership and the support of the private sector, we have moved quickly to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and return to our normal lives, which is evident in the tourism boom Dubai is experiencing with the launch of Expo 2020 Dubai. We will continue to lead global efforts towards facilitating Accessible Tourism and collaborate with international partners to adopt more innovative and smart solutions that will enable all the citizens of the world to travel freely and live a life without barriers.”
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, “Driven by the vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the city has delivered on its promise to enhance the lives of People of Determination, further underlining the city’s journey towards becoming the most preferred destination to visit, work and live in.’ ”Collaborative efforts across the public and private sectors have prioritised the welfare of People of Determination, ensuring the provision of facilities and services that support their needs and enable them to enjoy the city’s diverse range of offerings and attractions, and participate in its year-round calendar of events and festivals. The emirate is also committed to hosting global business events, such as the Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit, that can contribute to the wider sector’s continued development and provide a platform for the sharing of knowledge and best practices.”
The Summit will shed light on the requirements of tourist with disabilities during their travel and movement from one place to another and the work in progress to make the touristic places and facilities accessible to them like the hotels, resorts, airports, transportation services, shopping centres, beaches, public parks and museums. Dubai is moving at a steady pace to achieving its vision of becoming the friendliest destination for People of Determination, with the authorities working towards achieving the goal by implementing relevant legislation and adopting smart solutions to provide the best services for this segment of tourists as Dubai targets 25 million tourists by 2025.
According to the WHO, between 10 and 15 percent of the world’s population needs assistance and the number of people who need assistive devices, ranging from wheelchairs to communication technologies, will double to two billion by 2050 as a result of ageing, health issues and other socio-economic factors. About 50 million people with Special Needs in the Middle East look forward to visiting cities and tourist destinations that provide them with appropriate services that meet their needs.
Organised by Nadd Al Sheba Public Relations and Event Management, an impressive line-up of senior officials and international experts from the public and private sectors will participate in the Summit, to share the experiences of their countries and their success in dealing with the pandemic and its challenges, especially for People of Determination, and lessons that helps make accessible tourism part of their priorities.
Speakers will discuss ‘friendly’ infrastructure, facilities and services in sectors like hospitality, transportation, health, insurance and communication. The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) had called upon countries to ensure access to tourists with special requirements, which would enable destinations wishing to change the rules of the game to recover faster from the effects of the pandemic through attracting this large segment of tourists.
The WTO said, “Tourism environments and services are often designed without taking into account different access requirements. The thinking must be changed so that the tourism sector prioritises accessibility to facilitate travel for People of Determination, which constitutes an exceptional opportunity to stimulate tourism and create new job opportunities.”
The 11 countries which will be removed are Angola, Botswana, Eswantini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe…reports Asian Lite News.
The government will remove all 11 countries from its Covid-19 travel red list from Wednesday because there is now community transmission of Omicron in Britain, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told parliament.
The new Omicron variant was first detected in southern Africa and Hong Kong. The British government added 11 African countries to its red list from late November, meaning that only UK citizens or residents arriving from those nations were allowed in and then had to quarantine in a hotel.
“Now that there is community transmission of Omicron in the UK and Omicron has spread so widely across the world, the travel red list is now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad,” Javid said.
“We will be removing all 11 countries from the travel red list effective from 4 a.m. tomorrow morning.”
The 11 countries which will be removed are Angola, Botswana, Eswantini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Travel companies had urged the government to reduce restrictions as soon as possible. London’s Heathrow Airport said last week it was seeing high levels of business travellers cancelling due to concerns over restrictions.
Britain will still require all inbound travellers to take either a PCR or a rapid lateral flow test a maximum of 48 hours before departure, a measure Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said would be reviewed in the first week of January.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of travel association ABTA, welcomed the removal of the red list but said testing should also have been scrapped.
“With the testing measures now extending over the Christmas and New Year period, and the industry quickly approaching peak-booking season for summer 2022, travel businesses are facing a very serious situation,” he said in a statement.
“Consumer confidence in travel has suffered a significant setback, which will outlast these restrictions.”
Arrivals from the red list countries have had to pay thousands of pounds to quarantine in government-approved hotels. Many have complained on social media about the costs and conditions of their stay.
A lack of available rooms also left some people trapped abroad waiting for space to become available in the hotels.
First tourist cruise line between Libya and Turkey launched
Libyan Minister of Transportation Mohamed al-Shohobi has launched the first tourist cruise line between Libya and Turkey, the first trip of its kind in Libya in more than 20 years…reports Asian Lite News
The cruise line which was launched on Wednesday comes within the framework of the Libyan government’s efforts to promote partnership between the public and private sectors.
First tourist cruise line between Libya and Turkey launched
“The Government of National Unity has contributed to overcoming all the difficulties and obstacles that faced the implementation of this project,” the statement said.
“We are in the process of taking several special measures, in agreement with the Egyptian, Tunisian and Moroccan governments, to launch tourist cruise lines in the near future,” al-Shohobi said.
The new cruise line is between the Libyan city of Misurata and Turkey’s Izmir, Xinhua news agency reported.
“There is a good demand for this cruise line, even though it’s not summertime. For the first trip, there are about 220 passengers, and the trip takes about 48 hours,” Taha Hadid, spokesman of Misurata maritime station, told Xinhua.
