Good news in tourism September 20 – 26, 2020
Because it’s free-range and organic …
Published every Sunday, “Good news in tourism” is the perfect pick-me-up for the start of a new week in travel & tourism … everyone’s business.
This week’s good travel & tourism news menu:
(Click / touch an item to go straight to it.)
- “Good Tourism (“GT”) news
- COVID ops
- The great outdoors
- Net-zero aviation with heart
- Tourism, the arts, culture, & heritage
- Odds & ends
It’s “Good Tourism”. And go!
“GT” news
“GT” Partner SUNx — Strong Universal Network on Friday launched its “Climate Friendly Travel Registry for 2050 Climate Neutral & Sustainability Ambitions” in partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA).
In a fresh “GT” Insight published this week, new “GT” Friend Nia Klatte of Khiri Reach, the charitable arm of “GT” Partner Khiri Travel, shares how her organisation’s Myanmar-based teams brainstormed project ideas and worked together to support host communities during the COVID-related travel & tourism closures in:
“Tourism in crisis: How local staff supported their communities in Myanmar”
An appropriate read on World Tourism Day 2020 — themed “Tourism & Rural Development” — is the “GT” Insight by “GT” Friend Peter Semone, editor of UNWTO’s 2017 report entitled International Rural Tourism Development — An Asia-Pacific Perspective:
“Rural tourism: Delighting tourists, developing communities”
Good news: “Tourism livelihoods matter” is NOT a racist statement
Your correspondent flip-flopped on whether to include this rant but decided that it was too important not to. Too many good people remain silent on this stuff — and your correspondent cannot be “cancelled” from his own publication — so here goes:
Just as the opening line of this week’s “Good news” is “Because it’s free-range and organic …”, the opening line of last week’s “Good news in tourism September 13 – 19, 2020” was: “Because TLM (tourism livelihoods matter) …”. That and the hashtags #TLM and #TourismLivelihoodsMatter, which “GT” used on social media posts, served to highlight the importance of the ~ 120 million tourism livelihoods at risk globally right now during this COVID-related industry crisis.
But it is 2020. Someone in the increasingly whacky west was bound to take offense on behalf of the Black Lives Matter political organisation, and transform “GT’s” concern about tourism livelihoods into an issue of race relations. And indeed, someone did; a tourism academic (white, as it happens) who reckons “GT’s” use of the hashtags #TLM and #TourismLivelihoodsMatter is “cultural appropriation” and “why the tourism industry might benefit from anti-racism training”!
The not-so-subtle implication here, of course, is that your correspondent is racist — or at least insufficiently “anti-racist” — and that it is evidence that the tourism industry must be systemically racist … It’s dangerous nonsense! Your correspondent rejects the university lecturer’s notion and will not be bullied into parroting it. And neither should you.
Nevertheless, the “Thought-leader” who would shame and smear your correspondent — and our industry — with the label “racist” is still welcome to contribute, in good faith, their “GT” Insight; even if they view the world through the lens of their highly divisive and highly racialised (ironically) political ideology. Why? Because open-minded and tolerant is how we all should be as people, and impartial is how the media should be as sense-makers. Furthermore, as the principle of free expression has demonstrated time and again, the best cure for bad ideas is not suppression; it’s better ideas.
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COVID ops
The Falkland Islands government unveiled a range of support measures to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism businesses, operators, and employees. Before 2020, tourism in the archipelagic nation of less than 4,000 people generated about GBP 16 million (USD 20.4 million) in annual sales.
According to Mohamed Osman, chair the Committee of Marketing Cultural Tourism in Upper Egypt, as soon as charter flights to Egypt resume, PCR tests will be available to passengers arriving on them at Luxor International Airport. This is in addition to a year-long exemption on tourist visas for visitors plus a year-long freeze on ticket prices at Egypt’s archaeological sites starting from October 31.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is working on a plan to reopen international tourism by the end of the year. A representative told the Saigon Times that VNAT “has to wait for the situation with regard to commercial flights transporting foreign experts and investors to Vietnam to decide on the plan ahead”.
More than a million domestic (and foreign) tourists travelled in Cambodia during the three-day Pchum Ben (Ancestor’s Day) festival last week (September 16 – 18), according to the Tourism Ministry.
Malaysia’s tourism minister has encouraged travel agencies and tour companies to create more niche and specialised domestic travel packages. Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the packages could be included in “My Malaysia Experience”, a booklet promoted by Tourism Malaysia.
In the Philippines, the tourism corridor that grants Baguio City residents access to destinations in the Ilocos region may expand to include the Cordillera Administrative Region. However, tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that communities must first be willing to welcome visitors and have sufficient health facilities.
In New York, USA, the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce is giving away triple-ply black fabric face masks to locals and visitors who sign a pledge to wear a face mask, socially-distance, and practice good hygiene. This is aimed at maintaining momentum following a “strong summer tourism season”.
In Florida, USA, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau has created “Miami Shines”, a tourism recovery program targeting locals with deals and promotions.
Anticipating a significant increase in leisure travel demand during northern summer 2021, German airline Lufthansa has introduced 15 new international routes from Frankfurt, Germany, to destinations throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Departure times align nicely with flights from North America.
The importance of good partnerships
Many commentators would like to see destinations recover from the COVID-19 depression focused on quality rather than quantity. That would be nice, of course, particularly if host communities want that. However, some or many extant tourism stakeholders will likely go out of business. Don’t let one of those be you.
Seek out good partnerships with those who make you their priority.
“GT” is a good partner. Please verify that with a “GT” Partner and then ask about partnership opportunities. There’s a “GT” partnership opportunity for everyone — big or small; public or private; commercial or not-for-profit — because travel & tourism is everyone’s business. All “GT” Partners not only get a “Good Partner” banner and listing but also the outstanding opportunity every week to contribute positive news & comments to these almost-famous weekly “Good news in tourism” posts.
The great outdoors
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) is calling on the next New Zealand government to be bold in refreshing old conservation legislation. TIA chief Chris Roberts reckons it could be a “game-changer” for both the environment and tourism.
Egypt’s new “Eco Egypt” campaign aims to promote protected areas, raise awareness about environmental issues, and open up “sustainable ecotourism”.
British Columbia, Canada has waived Crown land rent for outdoor recreation businesses, which include “fishing and hunting lodges, guest ranches, ecotourism lodges, seasonal campgrounds and backcountry ski operations”. It’s some relief at least.
India’s Odisha state government will train community members as naturalists and tourist guides and deploy them at attractions in time for Eco Retreat events this winter. Since Odisha Tourism deemed the first edition of Eco Retreat a success — at Ramchandi beach in Konark — it has expanded the concept to four more locations around the state.
In Pakistan, the Gilgit-Baltistan provincial government says it will develop 22 “untapped” tourist spots as WWF-Pakistan rolls out its “Eco-Tourism Programme”.
For now only residents of Bani town, Pangasinan province, the Philippines, can enjoy the bird watching, nature walks, kayaking and other activities available at the new Bangrin Marine Protected Area. The new attraction features a one-kilometre mangrove forest boardwalk.
Friends indeed
“Friends indeed” are worthy travel & tourism industry fundraisers and charitable causes. Please help if you can. Share the page with your social networks. And link to it from your website or email signature.
Net-zero aviation with heart
Everyone shared the Airbus news during the week; presumably because Airbus is an aviation industry giant with a large PR & marketing budget. However, nearly every week in “Good news in tourism”, “GT” shares net-zero and/or zero-emission travel & transport news items about a wide range of innovators, including startups, such as …
Sweden’s Heart Aerospace hopes their 19-seat all-electric commercial aircraft with a range of about 400 kilometres will fly by mid-2026. The company claims to have received “expressions of interest” from airlines across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific to purchase 147 “ES-19” aircraft worth about EUR 1.1 billion (USD 1.3 billion).
Dr Neville Hargreaves of sustainable fuels technology company Velocys, and a member of the UK’s Jet Zero coalition, reckons “achieving net-zero emissions on long-haul flights [is achievable] in the next five-10 years”. Velocys can produce “advanced aviation biofuels from large, sustainable carbon sources such as household waste, as well as agricultural and forest residues”.
In England, ZeroAvia’s six-seater Piper M‑class aircraft — retrofitted with a hyrogen fuel cell that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity — undertook a “world first” taxi, take-off, full-pattern circuit, and landing.
UK engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has tested a technology to power the “world’s fastest” all-electric plane named ‘ionBird’. It’s part of R‑R’s ‘Accelerating the Electrification of Flight’ (ACCEL) initiative with electric motor and controller manufacturer YASA and aviation start-up Electroflight.
As you probably already know, the EU’s Airbus has unveiled three concept designs for zero-emission liquid hydrogen-fueled commercial aircraft that they reckon could enter service by 2035: a futuristic / militaristic “blended-wing body” with turbofan engines and more conventional turboprop and turbofan aircraft.
Hydrogen looks like the best new-technology drivetrain option for the long haul flights we have grown accustomed to. However, one can also imagine hopping around the globe as in the early days of flight in quiet all-electric aircraft like the “ES-19” or “ionBird”.
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Tourism, the arts, culture, & heritage
Did you know that Rijeka in Croatia and Galway in Ireland were the “European Capitals of Culture” in 2020? Didn’t think so. The coronavirus pandemic has stymied their efforts to impress the world. Fortunately the EC may offer an extension.
Tourism principal secretary Safina Kwekwe has identified the need for Kenya’s counties to identify and preserve their rich cultural and heritage attractions; not only for posterity but also to diversify their tourism product. Ms Kwekwe said cultural tourism can “safeguard heritage and spread tourism’s socio-economic benefit to the communities”.
In the Texan city of Odessa, USA, cultural tourism grants are funded through the Hotel Occupancy Tax. This tax has been maintained through 2020 to support the arts community. On September 21, Odessa Arts announced USD 295,000 in 2021 grants to 15 cultural tourism events and initiatives.
Sustainable tourism & responsible travel is everyone’s business
Freedom of movement is a basic human right. And the travel & tourism industry is everyone’s business. “Everyone” includes not only those who earn a living from the travel & tourism industry, but also people who travel, and people who live in places travelled to and through. EVERYONE. Please share “Good news in tourism” with your friends and colleagues. And dive deeper into “Good Tourism” Insights for ideas on how to make sustainable tourism and responsible travel better … for you, for your people, and for your place. For they are your people. And it is your place.
Odds & ends
Bits ‘n pieces that don’t easily fit into this week’s arbitrary clusters:
President Hassan Rouhani of Iran inaugurated 87 tourism projects worth IRR 10.67 trillion (USD 255 million) across 15 provinces.
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) has had its “Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020 – 2025” unanimously approved by the National Tourism Council. The five-year plan picks up from tourism’s post-pandemic reopening slated for October 12. It’s “a differentiation strategy […] highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of Panama”, minister of tourism Ivan Eskildsen said.
According to Reema Shaukat, Pakistan’s 1,000-kilometre coastline “hardly generates around USD 50,000” from tourism as compared to a potential of “around USD 4 – 5 billion”. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the port city of Gwadar “as its hub” may help unlock Pakistan’s coastal tourism potential.
More than MYR 48.2 million (USD 11.6 million) has been allocated to 18 projects in “tourism and culture development” in Sarawak province, Malaysia. One of the projects is related to ecotourism facilities in Santubong National Park and Kuching Wetland National Park. Another relates to homestay operators in Ba’Kelalan, Santubong, Sarikei, Padawan, Kuala Sibuti and Kampung Mendalam.
Stay healthy, smile, have a good week … And when you can travel again, remember:
It’s not ‘no’. It’s ‘know’.
Featured image (top of post): Apple harvest. By lumix2004 (CC0) via Pixabay.
Donations, diversity, disclaimers
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Disclaimer 1: It is “GT’s” policy to fully disclose partner/sponsor content. If an item is not disclosed as partner or sponsor-related then it will have caught “GT’s” attention by some other more organic means. Partner with “GT”. You know you want to.
Disclaimer 2: None of the stories linked from this week’s post have been fact-checked by “GT”. All terminology used here is as the linked sources used it according to the knowledge and assumptions they have about it. Please comment below if you know there has been buzzword-washing or blatant nonsense relayed here, but be nice about it. As for “GT” bringing it to your attention for you to set the record straight, you’re welcome! 🙂
