hospitality

Saudi Arabia begins releasing lockdown with end in four weeks

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Industry News: 26th May 2020

Saudi Arabia will begin easing its coronavirus curfew from Thursday, it has been announced.

Health Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah said the easing of restrictions will be undertaken in phases and will depend on how the spread of the virus pans out this week. 

The first phase will begin with expanding capacity to serve “critical patients” and the second will include intensifying Covid-19 tests and early detection.

Speaking a a press conference on Monday, the health minister said the Saudi people had displayed a “high amount of responsibility in practising social distancing.” 

“After five months since this pandemic started, where the global health systems faced great difficulties in dealing with it, our society has become today more aware of this virus and implementing the measures of the social distancing, as it is a new experience for all of us,” he said in remarks quoted by the Saudi Press Agency. 

Restrictions in place due to coronavirus, including bans on domestic travel, holding prayers in mosques, and workplace attendance in both government and private sector will be lifted, starting May 31, the statement added.

The Kingdom will reopen all mosques outside Mecca from May 31 until June 20 in one of a number of measures announced by the SPA.

From June 21, the Kingdom expects to lift the lockdown entirely and return to normal life, according to SPA.

Al Rabiah said that people should continue taking precautionary measures while leaving their homes by using face masks and hand gloves.

The Health Ministry recorded nine new deaths and 2,235 new cases of coronavirus in the Kingdom on Monday.

The new deaths have increased the Covid-19-related toll in Saudi Arabia to 399 and the total number of confirmed cases to 74,795. 

The number of recoveries has risen to 2,148, taking the total number of recovered cases to 45,668.

The Covid-19 pandemic has severely damaged the Kingdom’s plan to boost its tourism income and create new jobs. In October 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed its 2030 plan aiming for 10 per cent of GDP to come from tourism within 10 years, up from 3 per cent, building on its enormous annual religious pilgrimage visitors. The Kingdom also set a target of international and domestic visits of 100 million a year by 2030, attracting significant foreign and domestic investment and creating a million jobs.

 
 

 

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Dubai tourism leaders meet key stakeholders to plan for the future

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Industry News: 26th May 2020

ABU DHABI, 25th May 2020 (WAM): Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) held a virtual meeting with key aviation and hospitality partners to discuss current and post-pandemic strategies and joint initiatives aimed at ensuring the tourism industry’s gradual return to normalcy.

The meeting also discussed global efforts to minimise the transmission of COVID-19 and precautionary measures deployed to safeguard the health of communities across the UAE.

On the same day the UAE Government announced that the number of COVID-19 tests has broken the two million mark, reaching 2,044,493 screenings as part of the national plan to intensify coronavirus detection. Three deaths on Sunday due to COVID-19 complications, took the total number of deaths to 248, and 601 individuals have fully recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 15,657. There are 14,402 patients from different nationalities are currently receiving the necessary treatment.

Attendees the meeting hosted by the Director General of Dubai Tourism, included key executives of hospitality groups including Jumeirah, Emaar Hospitality Group, Marriott International, Millennium, Accor, JA Resorts and Hotels, Kerzner International, Al Habtoor Group, Wasl and Rotana, in addition to aviation sector players like Emirates, Flydubai and Dubai International Airport.

The report released by state newsagency WAM said partners were briefed on the phased approach being adopted to reopen the tourism sector in Dubai, and the marketing communications and activities in progress across key markets to reinforce Dubai’s high global profile including the ongoing #TillWeMeetAgain digital activation.

With the hospitality sector being a key pillar of Dubai’s economy, the discussions between Dubai Tourism and partners focused on the steps being taken to pave the way for the reopening of hotels and other tourism facilities across the city, while ensuring adherence to the strictest guidelines and providing opportunities to revive domestic market demand.

As part of overall efforts to create a positive perception and a conducive environment aimed at instilling confidence among travellers who plan to visit Dubai, the meeting also looked at precautionary measures that have been implemented, both at a citywide level and across specific sectors including tourism, which represent critical touchpoints for visitors and residents during their stay.

One of the key priorities from a marketing perspective, the meeting heard, is to emphasise the safety and security that Dubai provides, and the clear stringent health and safety protocols issued by the Dubai Health Authority based on international standards and best practices aimed at containing the contagion. The meeting also discussed the mechanism to ensure adherence to the guidelines, practical solutions to scan and monitor passengers at Dubai International Airport and the effective management of contact tracing in compliance with privacy standards, following the resumption of air travel.

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All participants at the meeting expressed their appreciation for the way in which government – both at the Dubai and UAE level – have dealt with the threat of COVID-19 including the rational policy decisions that have allowed robust management of the health crisis and mitigation of the economic repercussions by allowing for the gradual reopening of vital sectors like tourism.

Industry executives at the meeting also agreed that the postponement of Expo 2020 was prudent and well-received. It provides the opportunity to hold the event in a more normalised global environment where all countries can actively participate, making it a more representative Expo for the world in 2021. The businesses also reiterated their support to Dubai Tourism to kick-start the sector with collaborative development of promotional programmes and strong customised packages that take into account the current realities of the global market. The stakeholders were unanimous that there was positive sentiment surrounding Dubai as a key destination in the international circuit thanks to the city’s world class health infrastructure, and protocols and processes deployed during the management of this pandemic.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, said: “It must be emphasised that the health and safety of our residents and guests will always remain our top priority as we continue to work with the industry and our government partners not just during this critical period but beyond, to develop innovative approaches, real-time responses, and proactive yet prudent initiatives to ensure that Dubai remains at the forefront of the world’s leading destinations in line with our strategy.

“As we look ahead to a gradual reopening of tourism, we will focus on the key elements that have ensured the industry’s success over the past decade – creating unique value and delivering an uncompromised guest experience. To achieve this, we rely on the solidarity of our stakeholders who have always played a pivotal role. We hope they will continue to lead from the front in positioning Dubai as a must-visit destination.”

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “Dubai International Airport is prepared to welcome visitors as soon as airports around the word start reopening and pave the way for a phased resumption of air services. As health and hygiene standards will play an influential role in encouraging people to travel, we have put in place a set of health and safety protocols at our airports including all necessary quarantine arrangements and the implementation of sanitisation and disinfection measures to reassure tourists that Dubai is one of the safest destinations to visit. We will also continue to receive incoming flights from select destinations, operate cargo flights, as well as flights to repatriate expatriates and guests to their home destinations.”

Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates Airline, said: “The health and safety of our customers and employees remain our top priorities across our operations, and Emirates has implemented comprehensive measures at every step of the customer journey. This includes thermal temperature scanning before check-in, the mandatory use of masks and gloves for everyone at the airport, protective suits for our crew and ground employees, physical distancing protocols, modified services to reduce contact, enhanced cleaning of all our touch points, and much more.”

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “Since the flight restrictions came into effect, we have operated more than 100 repatriation flights to 19 different countries enabling 14,000 citizens to return home. flydubai will continue to work closely with its strategic partners to ensure that all safety measures are in place in line with international standards when flight restrictions are lifted.”

Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice Chairman and CEO, Al Habtoor Group, said: “Dubai with its wide experience in successfully dealing with challenging situations is capable of restoring tourism momentum and paving the way for the hospitality sector to returns to its previous state. This is also a view shared by our international hospitality partners who have placed great faith in Dubai’s resilience during tough times, as well as in its world-class healthcare system and the range of preventive measures taken across the city such as the effective and regular sanitisation and sterilisation programmes, that will help highlight Dubai as one of the world’s safest destinations.”

Mark Willis, CEO Middle East and Africa at Accor, praised the government’s efforts in reopening the markets and supporting the tourism sector: “Accor is committed to coordinating with Dubai Tourism and all related entities, from both government and private sectors, to ensure we are aligned in making the safety and well-being of our guests and team members our key priority”

Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Marriott International, said: “As an international chain that enjoys a longstanding relationship with Dubai, Marriott is committed to supporting the industry’s efforts to regain momentum by rolling out our own initiatives and packages to attract visitors to Dubai when the time is safe for travel.”

 

 

‘Ski resorts were Covid-19 breeding ground in Europe’

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Industry News: 23rd May 2020

Dr Andrea Ammon blames the return of skiers and snowboarders from Alpine skiing breaks in the first week of March was a pivotal moment in the spread of Covid-19 into Europe.

And in her interview with The Guardian newspaper in the UK last week she warned that Europe should brace for a serious second wave.

“The question is when and how big, that is the question in my view,” said Dr Ammon (pictured above), director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), a former advisor to the German government..

In her Guardian interview she said: “Looking at the characteristics of the virus, looking at what now emerges from the different countries in terms of population immunity – which isn’t all that exciting, between 2 per cent and 14 per cent, that leaves still 85 per cent to 90 per cent of the population susceptible – the virus is around us, circulating much more than January and February.

“I don’t want to draw a doomsday picture but I think we have to be realistic. That it’s not the time now to completely relax.”

And she was believes that Alpine resorts were the breeding ground and first point of arrival for much of the pandemic in Europe in Janury.

“Because at that time we saw new cases all over Europe and actually they had been in the skiing places in the Alps, in Italy, Austria,” she said.

“I mean this is a crowded place, the ski resorts, and then you have these cabins that you go up the mountain and these are really crammed.

“Yeah, it’s just perfect for such a virus. I mean I am pretty sure that this contributed to the wide spread in Europe.”

The case of the ski resort of Ischgl in Austria has a reputation as a virus-spreader. The village had the highest concentrations of covid-19 in the whole of Austria.

It remained in full lockdown and along with the other Austrian resorts of St Anton and Soelden long after other areas saw their restrictions lifted.

It is interesting to see this has now been confirmed by the medical experts, but it was obvious for anyone to see with a modicum of knowledge and common sense.

Perhaps the more worrying aspect at this moment in time is that Andrea Ammon believes a second wave is coming.

She advises that the prospect of a second wave of coronavirus infection across Europe is no longer a distant theory.

“The question is when and how big, that is the question in my view,” said Dr Andrea Ammon.

READ FULL GUARDIAN INTERVIEW HERE

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Hard hit Dubai hotels prepare for September recovery

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Industry News: 21st May 2020

About 30 per cent of jobs in Dubai’s hotel industry are likely to be lost over the summer until demand recovers from the pandemic, according to research firm STR.

In an updated Bloomberg report today (May 21, 2020) the news outlet said more than a third of the city’s 120,000 hotel rooms will ‘probably remain closed through the typically slow summer months’.

Bloomberg spoke with Philip Wooller, Middle East and Africa director at STR Global. The industry employs about 40,000 people, he estimated.

The job-loss estimate is a “minimum,” Wooller said. “Otherwise you’re asking the owners to reach into their own pockets and, while some might do that, others won’t be able to afford it.”

Almost 17 million tourists visited the city last year, contributing about 12 per cent to economic output.

Hotel occupancy slumped to 23 per cent since the pandemic hit from about 80 per cent one of the highest in the world, according to STR. Average occupancy globally is around 20 per cent and has been mostly held up by demand for accommodation for medical staff and quarantines.

“Dubai’s Hospitality businesses are resuming operations based on issued government reopening guidelines during this pandemic,” the emirate’s media office said in a tweet. “Dubai’s hotel sector is healthy and this prudent approach prepares the industry for an even stronger resurgence post Covid.”

Occupancy is expected to recover to between 50 and 60 per cent by September as demand improves and hotels reopen, Wooller said. Some operators, especially beach hotels, may see demand from residents unable to travel abroad seeking local vacations instead.

Bloomberg reported that closures have hit most hotels in the rest of the Gulf, with nearly 43 per cent of rooms in the Omani capital being shuttered. In Mecca, more than 80 per cent of rooms were closed as the city that hosts Islam’s holiest site, which had the worst outbreak in Saudi Arabia.

Some hotel owners in Qatar are benefiting from the government leasing nearly 30 properties. Qatar, which is set to host the soccer World Cup in 2022, is still benefiting from demand as infrastructure preparation continues. In Dubai’s Emirati neighbour, Abu Dhabi says just 17 per cent of the city’s 29,000 rooms closed. Occupancy is hovering around 50 per cent as the government leases rooms for essential staff and for quarantines, according to STR Global.

READ FULL UPDATED BLOOMBERG NEWS REPORT HERE

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Why Brits plan to spend up to £3.8bn on hospitality in first week after lockdown ends

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Industry News: 21st May 2020

In the UK the public’s wish to dine out or get a way for a family break is worth £3.8billion (US$4.6bn) to the economy…within just one week of lockdown ending.

New research from Caterer.com this week survey more than 2,000 Brits and revealed 63 per cent want to support local hospitalty businesses as soon as possible, as long as sfety measures are in place.

And it revealed that almost half the people across the country have a new found apprecaition and recognition of the hospitality sector and more than half were eager for it to ‘get back to normal’.

Almost a third (31 per cent) say they will go to the pub within a week of being allowed and in London it was more than half (51 per cent) and 30 per cent will be dining out within the first week.

The insights from Caterer.com show that 62 per cent of Brits would feel comfortable eating in restaurants that occupied every other table only and 55 per cent agreed that maximum group size on a table should be four.

But it was another blow for buffet-style dining with seven in 10 of those surveyed said that was not an option until a vaccine is discovered.

Caterer.com concluded the results support the call from the sector for additional support from the Government, in order to make operation financially viable with 67 per cent supporting Government cash to ensure survival. Even though this money would have to come from central funds, the survey found around 40 per cent say they would pay more in return for better cleaning and social distacing measures.

The survey included suggestions from customers to help make them feel comfortable going out:

  • 54% think hand sanitiser should be provided for all customers and staff
  • 47% would like all staff to be trained on a new cleaning protocol
  • 36% think Social Distancing Managers should be implemented
  • 22% think that all staff should wear PPE
  • 18% think they should be able to order their meals digitally

Neil Pattison, director at Caterer.com, said: “While this has been an incredibly painful time for the sector, it’s encouraging to see the public have a huge appreciation for what the hospitality sector provides to communities. There is strong appetite to support these businesses and workers in getting back on their feet.

“While measures like having more hand sanitiser available and training staff to introduce new cleaning regimes may be more simply implemented, social distancing measures will mean far fewer customers can be served at one time.

“As a result, there is deep concern about how hospitality businesses will survive economically in the short and long term.

“We are grateful for the Government’s support to date, however, there is still much more work to be done and it’s vital that this continues.”

 

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Dr Taleb Rifai, former UN WTO secretary calls for ‘safe’ tourist areas to be created

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Tourist destinations will have to consider offering Corona-free hotels, beaches and areas to ensure that visitors feel safe ‘from the minute they leave home until they return”.

The initiative was voiced by  Dr Taleb Rifai, the Former Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and chairman of the ITIC advisory board.

He was speaking at a new grassroots initiative with leaders from the travel and tourism industry joining from 76 countries the #rebuildingtravel globally: High Level Taskforce Meeting.

At the meeting, hosted by ETurboNews, Dr Rafai revealed his four pillars for the recovery of the travel & tourism sector.

Rebuilding.travel started two weeks ago and already many of the who’s who in the global travel and tourism industry as part of the group. Today membership has increased to 102 countries.

In a follow up to initial plan, Dr Rifai was clear that as the world moves from the containment to the recovery phase, the whole economy was more important than our specific industry.

But travel & tourism are essential for employment and the economies of many countries worldwide said Dr Rifai, speaking from Amman, Jordan, to a virtual gathering of industry and government leaders from around the world.

Speaking second to the Taskforce, he offered his own four point roadmap for recovery.

First he said is making domestic tourism a priority. “It does not contribute to balance of trade or bring in foreign currency but it it keeps facilities open and maintains employment,” he said. It reflects his own philosophy that “we should encourage people to enjoy their country,” something he admitted had not always been the case and had sometimes caused conflict between visitors and local people.

Second he said was the need to concentrate on the digital sector. “The future of tourism is centred around technology,” said Dr Rafai. “This is a main pillar of the post-corona era.

“Everything is going to be from home and we must start thinking outside the box. I have attended weddings where the priest is on one line marrying people elsewhere.” 

Number three, he said, is training: “Our new post-corona era will be completely different. How we qualify our waiters – they will need trained to do packing for home delivery.” He said hotels will need to be more clean, training of staff to ensure the very best sanitisation will become a priority as destinations “compete with each other”.

Fourth, he said, every country must put money in the hands of people to encourage spending. “Spending is very, very important,” he said.

He urged destinations to prepare now for setting side certain areas that are corona free. “Destinations must start thinking about this: certain areas, certain hotels, certain beaches… that mean people are safe from minute the arrive until they return to their homes.”

And these protocols will need certification, he said. “You cant have any protocol if you don’t have certification. This is something you will need to see in the future.”

MORE NEWS HERE THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Dubai Expo 2020 delayed for 12 months amid cronavirus fears

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Dubai Expo 2020 becomes Expo 2021 today after it was officially postponed for a year

World Expo 2020 in Dubai will be delayed by a year it was confirmed today (May 4), after weeks of speculation.The United Arab Emirates’ city has invested millions of dollars preparing for Expo 2020 with more than 100 hotels under construction.

Dubai was forecasting 25 million visits over the six months – 145,000 visits for every one of the 173 days the site is open. They expected 11 million visits by people living in the UAE and 14 million from overseas visitors.

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The delay confirmation came today after a two-thirds majority of Bureau International des Expositions, BIE, Member States has already voted in favour of postponing until 2021.

The event will now run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, a delay that “allows all participants to safely navigate the impact of COVID-19”. It also allows the World Expo to focus on a collective desire for new thinking to identify solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time, said a report from the UAE state news agency WAM this morning.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said: “We welcome the decision of BIE Member States to support the delay of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year. We are thankful to Member States for their continued commitment to contributing to a World Expo in Dubai that will play a pivotal role in shaping our post-pandemic world at a time when it will be most needed.

“We have sought to build over the last 50 years bridges, connections, and partnerships around the world because we believe in genuine collaboration to safeguard the future of all. This swift and overwhelming vote reflects the strength of our international partnerships and truly reflects the positive role the UAE and Dubai play with all countries around the world.

“This affirmation by the international community of Dubai’s offering and its ability to deliver, further strengthens our commitment to matching ambition with achievement to hosting an event that will capture the world’s imagination, when the time is right.”

With a BIE General Assembly impossible to stage due to COVID-19 restrictions, Member States voted remotely on the BIE Executive Committee’s recommendation for a delay as proposed by the UAE Government at the beginning of April and recommended by the BIE Executive Committee on 21 April. While the vote remains open until 29 May, the two-thirds threshold was surpassed within a week of voting opening on 24 April.

Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE, said: “I applaud the swift response by BIE Member States. Their support for the postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai – which will be formally approved on 29 May – is a renewed sign of solidarity and demonstrates the shared will to work together in ‘creating the future’.”

“In their support for the one-year postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai, Member States of the BIE are giving the world the opportunity to reconvene in 2021, when together, we can address the challenges facing humanity and celebrate the unity and solidarity that strengthen us. With its theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 Dubai will offer the world a unique platform to share the lessons, solutions and ideas for a better tomorrow.”

Expo 2020 Dubai retains its name and remains committed to hosting an exceptional event that will celebrate humanity’s resilience, creativity, culture and innovation – including major technological advances in the fields of medicine and science.

The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, and largest ever event to take place in the Arab world, Expo 2020 will welcome 192 countries, plus businesses, multilateral organisations and educational establishments.

MORE NEWS HERE

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION

BA reveals plan to cut 12,000 jobs

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One of the world’s biggest airlines BA revealed plans to axe up to 12,000 of its staff because of the global collapse in air travel in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

The privately owned UK operator’s plan is understood to include a quarter of its pilots as the company reacts to the severe downturn in flights.

The airline’s chief executive, Alex Cruz, told BA’s 42,000 staff on Tuesday night that the company “must act decisively now to ensure that British Airways has a strong future” and that means more than one in four jobs must be cut.

Cruz said the UK’s flag carrier airline, which has placed 22,600 people on the government’s furlough scheme, “cannot expect the taxpayer to offset salaries indefinitely”.

“Yesterday, British Airways flew just a handful of aircraft out of Heathrow. On a normal day we would fly more than 300. What we are facing as an airline, like so many other businesses up and down the country, is that there is no ‘normal’ any longer,” Cruz told staff in a letter

“We are a strong, well-managed business that has faced into, and overcome, many crises in our hundred-year history. We must overcome this crisis ourselves, too.”

MORE NEWS HERE

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Poland government allows hotels to begin operating again next week

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Polish hotels will reopen on May 4 along with the country’s shopping malls becoming the second European country to relax hospitality restrictions. 

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday, part of efforts to ease restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus (continues below picture)


Hotel Polonia, Warsaw, Poland (file picture) CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Polonia Palace Hotel fasada.jpg

The country of 39 million people implemented lockdown restrictions a month ago and 644 people have died from Covid-19, one of the lowest rates in Europe. 

Austria had annouced this week that hotels and larger shops can reopen in mid-May as part of its continued lifting of restrictions.

Poland, the largest economy in the European Union’s eastern wing, started relaxing some of its curbs on public life earlier in April, alongside other countries keen to prop up industry damaged by the pandemic.

Morawiecki also reaffirmed the government’s plan to hold a presidential election as scheduled on May 10, despite calls from opposition parties and others for a much longer delay. They fear the relaxtion will lead to a second wave of infections

Further steps to unfreeze the economy, including a reopening of restaurants, will be announced at a later date, Morawiecki said. Poles are still required to wear masks in public and schools will remain closed until May 24.

The restrictions caused huge problems for the thousands of Polish workers who crossed the border into Germany to work each day as the border was closed.

MORE NEWS HERE

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION