Hawaii Tourism Authority Seeks Input From Hawaiian Locals
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has put out a public call for input and ideas from island communities about how the state and counties can effectively restart tourism. It is inviting locals to make their voices heard on the topics of destination management, community prioritisation and Hawaii's wider cultural and environmental needs.
In line with its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, one of HTA's newest initiatives is to establish Destination Management Action Plans (DMAP)—one specifically for each county—through its Community-Based Tourism Program.
The goal is to create four individual action plans for Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Oahu for resetting, redefining and rebuilding tourism's direction over the next three years through a collaborative process. Each county will need to determine its long-term desires surrounding tourism and strike a mindful balance between the industry's economic advantages and its impact on local services, cultural and natural resources and the quality of life of its residents.
Committee on Tourism Welcomes the Uplifting of Restrictions on International Travel in South Africa
The Portfolio Committee on Tourism welcomed the uplifting of travel restrictions imposed on international travel due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Mr. Supra Mahumapelo said that we are heartened that international flights have resumed after more than six months since lockdown restrictions have been imposed worldwide. South Africa welcomed travellers from the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Germany, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe on the first day of its opening.
The impact of the pandemic has been felt across all sectors, with tourism being the hardest hit. According to the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, the tourism sector contributes to 1.5 million jobs and 8.5% to the gross domestic product of South Africa.
Oct 05, 2020
Singapore's Last Village Proves Nostalgic Tourism Hit
Hidden between the skyscrapers of Singapore's urban jungle sits Kampong Lorong Buangkok - the only surviving traditional village in this modern city-state of 5.7 million people.
Made up of 26 single-story wooden houses, which were once ubiquitous across Singapore, the "kampong", the Malay word for village, has seen a boom in local visitors after borders shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Most kampongs disappeared during Singapore's rush to urbanise, but being stuck at home has left locals like 48-year old Jenn Lee, a day trader, craving for a bit of nostalgia to share with her son.
Singapore authorities have been trying to support local tourism through campaigns and have given citizens cash vouchers for staycations.
Tour operators argue there is plenty to discover in the country of only 724 square kilometres (280 square miles).
Kyanta Yap, a guide at Let's Go Tour: Singapore, said their weekend visits to the kampong that cost S$200 ($147) for a group of up to three people, or S$250 for four-five, have been nearly fully booked since September.
Jammu Ropeway Starts Commercial Operations, To Boost Tourism by Linking 3 Ancient Temples
The first phase of the much-awaited Jammu Ropeway Project (JRP) commenced its commercial operations amid adequate COVID-19 precautions, and the second phase is expected to open later this year.
On completion, the project will link three ancient temples — Bawe Wali Mata, Mahamaya and Peer kho — and is expected to give a boost to religious tourism as the three places are very famous among the devotees particularly those visiting Jammu, the city of temples, from across the country.
The 1.66-km-long cable car project has two phases, first from Bahu Fort to Mahamaya Park and the second from Mahamaya to Peer Kho over the Tawi river.
The second phase has a total length of 1,118 metres.
The cable car project would provide people a high-quality tourism experience with transportation facility, sightseeing and entertainment.
The ropeway from Bahu Fort to Mahamaya has eight cabins, and the one from Mahamaya to Peer Kho 14 cabins.
Oct 02, 2020
Australia Opens Travel Zone to New Zealanders
New Zealanders are to be granted access to Australia in the first opening of international borders by either nation since Covid restrictions were imposed.
People will be able to fly from New Zealand to New South Wales and the Northern Territory - and avoid mandatory quarantine - from 16 October.
The nations closed their borders in March in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Officials say the risks are now low enough to justify a "travel bubble".
"The establishment of a travel zone between Australia and New Zealand has been finalised," said Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
"This is the first stage in what we hope to see as a trans-Tasman bubble between the two countries, stopping not just at that state and that territory."
At first, travel will be limited to New Zealanders.
Mr. McCormack said that a decision on when Australians may be able to visit New Zealand would be up to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Sep 25, 2020
Uttarakhand Eases Coronavirus Norms for Tourists
The Uttarakhand government has eased coronavirus norms for tourists, exempting them from producing a negative test report on arrival.
In a revised set of guidelines for tourists, Chief Secretary Om Prakash said that it is not mandatory for them to bring coronavirus negative report before checking into a hotel or homestay.
Moreover, the requirement of a mandatory stay of a minimum two days in a hotel or homestay will also not be required anymore.
However, it will be mandatory for tourists coming to the state by any mode of transportation to register on the Smart City portal prior to their travel, the latest set of directions that came into effect a few days ago.
The new directions supersede the order issued on September 19 by which tourists were required to produce a negative RT-PCR test report issued by an ICMR-authorised lab not more than 96 hours ahead of their arrival.
Sep 17, 2020
Delhi Metro Launches First Indigenous Signal System
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) took a major step towards development of an indigenously-built communication-based train control with the launch of i-ATS — the first Made-in-India signalling system.
The ATS (or Automatic Train Supervision) is a computer-based system, which manages train operations, including basic functioning such as running and halting. The i-ATS will significantly reduce the dependence of Indian Metros on foreign vendors dealing with such technologies.