China to require negative COVID-19 test for US visitors
>> China said it will require travelers taking direct flights to the country from the U.S. to test negative for the coronavirus within 3 days of their trip. The rules will take effect on Sep 15. Passengers who travel from the U.S. or transit through the country before flying to China will be required to provide their airline with a health declaration or hold a green health code.
Foreign travelers flying from India to China are required to take a test
>> The Chinese Embassy in India has announced that all foreign travelers who are to fly from India to China will be required to take a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 and apply for certified Health Declaration Form.
OYO's retreat from China may prove costly
>> OYO had committed to invest over USD 600 million in China but in recent months the company has seen an exodus of executives and a shrinking footprint while also battling lawsuits filed by hotel partners and vendors over non-payment of dues. OYO' retreat from China may prove costly in future, as investors drove up the company's valuation to USD 10 billion largely due to the potential and size of its bet on the country.
Cheap seats give Chinese airlines a much-needed passenger bounce
>> Led by China Eastern Airlines' June offer of unlimited weekend flights until Dec 31 for RMB 3,322 (USD 485), domestic carriers have fallen over themselves to woo passengers back with bargain-basement fares. At the same time, China's success in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus has helped consumers regain the confidence to travel. Although the airlines are still loss-making and analysts say the recovery for China’s aviation market is fragile and subject to setbacks, the cheap airfare strategy is far more cost-effective than having planes grounded. It also provides a model for other countries to borrow from or even top.
Klook strengthens domestic things to do, launches train booking in Italy
>> Klook announced its expansion of travel activities and train ticket booking services in Italy, enabling the recovery of local community and tourism. Klook has been operating in Italy since late 2019, focusing on building long-lasting partnerships with local operators and bringing in travelers from around the world.
Chinese tourists embrace short trips, luxury stays in lessons for global operators
>> In China’s post-COVID-19 tourism market, short-distance traveling and luxury holidays are leading the rebound, while tour groups and business trips are declining, according to industry players. Occupancy at Atlantis Sanya, the five-star hotel which features a water park and an aquarium, reached 95% in early August, even as room rates rose 5% from the same period last year.
Travel agency closures on the rise
>> Forty-eight travel agencies in Taiwan had filed for temporary closure or corporate dissolution as of last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the island's Tourism Bureau statistics showed. Eighteen filed for temporary closure and 30 for dissolution, compared with the 18 agencies and 25 firms that did so respectively, for the whole of last year.
