Asia Geoff

28/09/2020

CCSA panel to approve visa scheme to allow foreign tourists into country

A Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday will approve a Special Tourist Visa (STV) to draw foreign tourists, deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul says.

22/09/2020

Planned Steps to get your Thai Visa.

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Join our Facebook Travel Groups for all the latest information.

20/09/2020

Vietnam's first int'l commercial flight in six months takes off amid pandemic

https://ampe.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/vietnam-s-first-int-l-commercial-flight-in-six-months-takes-off-amid-pandemic-4164312.html

A Hanoi-Tokyo flight, Vietnam's first international commercial flight after six months of suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, carried over 100 passengers to Japan Saturday morning. - VnExpress International

20/09/2020

Subtropical Storm Alpha forms off Portugal's coast

https://www.katc.com/weather/subtropical-storm-alpha-forms-off-portugals-coast

Weather Actions Facebook Tweet Email Subtropical Storm Alpha forms off Portugal's coast Gulf storm will likely be TS Beta By: KATC News Posted at 11:46 AM, Sep 18, 2020 and last updated 2020-09-18 12:49:54-04 Subtropical Storm Alpha has formed in the Atlantic, making it's way to Portugal The Nationa...

20/09/2020

Italy holidays: FCO issues major testing & quarantine update for travellers entering Italy

https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1337366/Italy-holidays-2020-FCO-travel-advice-update-quarantine-rules-list

ITALY holidays have become a popular choice with Britons over the last few months. Now, the Foreign Office has issued an update on testing and quarantine for travellers arriving in Italy.

20/09/2020

Covid-19 Can Spread On Long Airline Flights, Per Two New Studies

https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2020/09/19/covid-19-can-spread-on-long-airline-flights-per-two-new-studies/

New research reinforces the need for protections during air travel.

20/09/2020

Tourists must isolate in home countries

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1988019/tourists-must-isolate-in-home-countries

The Ministry of Public Health on Friday unveiled its latest plan to reopen to visitors from abroad with 2,270 foreign tourists already reportedly planning to visit Thailand.

20/09/2020

Cambodia, the friendliest country in the world in 2020

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50764501/cambodia-the-friendliest-country-in-the-world-in-2020/

The Kingdom of Cambodia has been crowned No. 1 among the top ten friendliest countries in the world to move to, according to My International Movers' website.

20/09/2020

As Asia's 'travel bubbles' fail to materialize, travelers face prospect of long winter at home

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/tourism-bubbles-asia-reopening-coronavirus/index.html

People hoping they may still get to enjoy a trip in Asia iva "travel bubbles" are facing a hard coronavirus truth: The bubbles popped, and most of Asia is keeping its doors firmly shut to tourists.

19/09/2020

Thai Airways gets court approval for debt restructuring

https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/09/17/thai-airways-gets-court-approval-for-debt-restructuring/

The airline needs to restructure 245 billion baht ($7.83 billion) worth of debt

19/09/2020

The future of OTAs: what to expect from their new adaptive strategies
Should we reinforce our direct channels of distribution or rely on intermediaries?

https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4100707.html

Online Travel Agencies have always been a subject for debates among hoteliers. Should we reinforce our direct channels of distribution or rely on intermediaries? In general, there is no universal answer to that question.

19/09/2020

Opera Tower condo association sues Airbnb amid short-term rental crackdown

https://therealdeal.com/miami/2020/09/17/opera-tower-condo-association-sues-airbnb-amid-short-term-rental-crackdown/

Looking to stop the flow of short-term rentals at Opera Tower in Miami, the building’s condo association is suing Airbnb and tenants who sublet units.

16/09/2020

Cabinet okays 9-month visas for foreigners

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30394581?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

The Cabinet has approved a proposal of issuing long-stay visas for foreigners visiting Thailand.

12/09/2020

The countries exempt from England's travel quarantine - full list

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/12/countries-exempt-quarantine-green-safe-list-england-sweden/

Holidaymakers will be able to find summer sun - but some destinations are still off-limits

12/09/2020

The tourists are leaving Italy. Now catastrophe looms

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/italy-tourism-economy-catastrophe-covid/index.html

With winter approaching, huge shortfalls in visitor spendingin Italy means a gaping financial hole and what is expected to be a full-blown economic catastrophe.

12/09/2020

Could fast-track coronavirus testing save Spain's winter tourist season?

https://www.thelocal.es/20200911/could-fast-track-coronavirus-testing-save-spains-winter-tourism-season-the-summer-has-been-a-write-off-for-spains-tourism-industry-thanks-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic-but-can-the-winter-season-be-saved-canary-islands-hoteliers-are-pinning-their-hopes-on-a-test-that-can-give-on-the-spot-results-in-a-b

The summer has been a write off for Spain's tourism industry thanks to the coronavirus pandemic but can the winter season be saved?

12/09/2020

Portugal 'regrets' England's decision to remove country from safe travel list

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-portugal-britain-idUSKBN261326

Portugal's foreign ministry said on Thursday it regrets England's decision to reimpose a quarantine regime for travellers from mainland Portugal, which has hit the tourism-dependent country hard.

12/09/2020

Lufthansa Processed An Average Of 1,800 Refunds An Hour Last Week

https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-refunds-1800-hour/

Lufthansa has said that it processed around 1,800 an hour last week as it battles COVID-19 refunds. The…

12/09/2020

206 active outbreaks of Covid-19 in Portugal

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/206-active-outbreaks-of-covid-19-in-portugal/55727

Portugal has registered 206 active outbreaks of Covid-19, the majority in the North of the country (111), according to data released today by the Minister of Health, Marta Temido.

12/09/2020

Coronavirus: France sets daily record with almost 10,000 new cases

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-europe-54111209

This is the highest single-day count in the country since the start of the pandemic.

12/09/2020

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are open for travelers. Should you go?

https://thepointsguy.com/news/dubai-and-abu-dhabi-are-open-for-travelers-should-you-go/

As the travel industry reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns, TPG suggests that you talk to your doctor, follow health officials’ guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip. We will be here to help you prepare, whether it is next month or next year. Editor’s not...

12/09/2020

Massive Lion Sculpture Uncovered in Cambodia

https://www.archaeology.org/news/9020-200911-cambodia-lion-statue

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA—According to a report in The Phnom Penh Post, two pieces of a six-foot-tall statue of a lion were unearthed by mine-clearing experts preparing the site of a new groundwater reservoir along the Tonle Sap River. Hab Touch of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said th...

12/09/2020

Coronavirus: UK epidemic growing as R number goes above 1

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-54116939

There are now worrying signs of infections in older as well as younger people, officials say.

12/09/2020

England Imposes Quarantine for Arrivals From Hungary, Portugal, French Polynesia and Réunion

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/england-imposes-quarantine-for-arrivals-from-hungary-portugal-french-polynesia-and-reunion/

Citizens of Hungary, French Polynesia, Reunion and Portugal, (except Madeira and the Azores) have been removed from England’s safe-countries list. Those reaching the UK from these countries and territories must self-isolate for two weeks upon their arrival in England, starting from Saturday, Septe...

12/09/2020

Why Thailand’s Protesters Are Up in Arms Against the Monarchy

https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29044/as-protests-rock-thailand-monarchy-comes-under-pressure

When pro-democracy protests erupted in Thailand several months ago, participants focused largely on demands for constitutional reforms and new elections. But as the uprising has grown in size and spread across the country, activists have increasingly taken aim at the third rail of Thai politics: the...

12/09/2020

160 million baht Pattaya beach renovation to be started at the end of this year

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/09/10/160-million-baht-pattaya-beach-renovation-to-be-started-at-the-end-of-this-year/

Pattaya- A scheduled major Pattaya beach renovation is expected to be started at the end of this year with a 160 million baht budget. The renovation will consist of repaired and renewed footpaths, more green zones, more parking areas and underground toilets. Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem tol...

12/09/2020

Two Chinese nationals on the run after escaping quarantine

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50762871/two-chinese-nationals-on-the-run-after-escaping-quarantine/

Two Chinese reportedly escape from a hotel in Phnom Penh during their quarantine.

12/09/2020

Booking.com to close its Bellevue office as pandemic hits online travel, hotel businesses

Whether you’re looking for hotels, homes, or vacation rentals, you’ll always find the guaranteed best price. Browse our 2,563,380 accommodations in over 85,000 destinations.

12/09/2020

Ann Arbor bans dedicated Airbnb short-term rental properties

https://www-mlive-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-bans-dedicated-airbnb-short-term-rental-properties.html?amp_js_v=a3&_gsa=1&outputType=amp&usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D =https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlive.com%2Fnews%2Fann-arbor%2F2020%2F09%2Fann-arbor-bans-dedicated-airbnb-short-term-rental-properties.html

The ordinance goes into effect on March 1, 2021.

12/09/2020

Cambodians Arrested after Sneaking in for Jobs

https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-535773

Security officials this morning arrested 12 Cambodian men for sneaking into Rong Kluea market in Aranyaprathet district to find jobs.