Travel and Recreation news

 UNWTO: International tourism can grow by 30-78% in 2022  - In the latest report, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecasts that in 2022 the number of international tourists may increase from 30% to 78% compared to 2021. The UNWTO World Tourism Report, the first issue of this year, said that in 2021, global tourism is estimated to increase by 4% compared to 2020 (415 million visitors compared to 400 million). This is a positive signal for world tourism, leaving behind 2020, the worst year for the tourism industry ever. Overall, increasing vaccination rates, combined with the easing of travel restrictions, have helped release pent-up travel demand. Recovery is uneven However, the rate of recovery is uneven across regions of the world due to varying degrees of travel restrictions, vaccination rates and tourist confidence in each region. Europe and America recorded the highest growth results, at 19% and 17% respectively. Meanwhile, Africa had an increase of 12%. The number...

 Australia opens its doors to international tourists from February 21 Australia will officially open its borders to all international visitors, all types of visas, from February 21, provided that these people have received at least 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Passengers at Sydney International Airport - Photo: Reuters In an announcement on February 7, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the country's National Security Committee had just met and agreed on the deadline to open the national border. He made it clear that since November 2021, the Australian border has gradually opened safely to all subjects from local citizens, international students, some types of long-term work visas, to public employees. populations of some countries with low rates of COVID-19 infection such as Singapore, Japan and South Korea. According to the VNA, the Australian cabinet has specifically reviewed the national situation and the ability to handle the current epidemic, based on the ...

 Cuba's tourism industry on the way to recovery Cuba's Office for National Statistics and Information (ONEI) on February 6 said that the Caribbean island nation welcomed 573,944 international tourists in 2021, equivalent to 39.8% of foreign visitors to Cuba in the same period. last year. This figure reflects the slight recovery of Cuban tourism since mid-November 2021. A corner of the capital Havana, Cuba. Photo: XINHUA/VNA Russia continues to be the main market for Cuban tourism when the number of Russian tourists visiting the "Island of Freedom" in 2021 reaches 146,151. This is the only market that is still growing despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Canada dropped to second place in terms of tourist arrivals to Cuba. Third on the list is the Cuban diaspora, followed by Spain. In 2021, Cuba is expected to welcome about 2.2 million international visitors, but the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic seriously affect this plan. In 2022, the country is expected...

 Thailand plans to boost tourism industry On February 7, the Thai government announced that it was planning to hold bilateral negotiations with a number of countries such as China and Malaysia on a tourism bubble program to attract tourists from these countries. , in the context that Thailand has just restarted the "Test & Go" program (Test and Go). Chinese tourists enter at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand on February 1. (Photo: REUTERS) According to Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, spokesman for the Thai Government, it is necessary to pursue bilateral agreements with familiar markets at this time, because attracting tourists through programs such as "Test&Go" ” or “Sandbox” is not really effective as expected. The return of Chinese and Malaysian tourists, Thailand's largest tourist groups before the pandemic, is seen by the country as key to a sustainable recovery. Previously, Chinese and Malaysian tourists accounted for more than a third of th...

 Laos aims to attract more than 3 million visitors in 2022 The Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism aims to attract more than 3 million domestic and international tourists, with a revenue of about 425 million USD. A natural tourist destination has just been upgraded, ready to welcome tourists in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, Laos. (Photo: Duy Toan) Recently, speaking at the Conference summarizing Laos' information, culture and tourism work in 2021, orientation for 2022, Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Vansy Kuamua said, to ensure With the orientation and goals of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025), the Lao Information, Culture and Tourism sector strives to attract 1,077,002 foreign tourists. to tourism in Laos, generating revenue of about 271,725,235 USD in case the Covid-19 epidemic subsides and Laos has measures to ease and open international border gates, including Laos - China international border gates alo...

 Mongolia opens its doors to international tourists On February 14, the Prime Minister of Mongolia announced the opening and affirmed that he would ensure the safety and provide timely services for international visitors to Mongolia. Yesterday (February 14), Mr. L.Oyun-Erdene - Prime Minister of Mongolia announced the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions (except for border posts), only managing the vaccination, recommending everyone Wash your hands, wear a mask and distance yourself to protect yourself. “If fully vaccinated, tourists and investors are welcome to come to Mongolia with no further requirements. Unvaccinated tourists are also welcome in Mongolia and will be vaccinated here if they are eligible,” said Mr. L.Oyun-Erdene. The Prime Minister of Mongolia announced it was open to international visitors on February 14. Source: Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Mongolian Prime Minister also affirmed that the government, private sector and the country's tourism industry...

 Italy elevates espresso with UNESCO heritage profile Italy is submitting a UNESCO heritage profile for espresso. A strong, velvety latte is more than just a quick drink. For Italians, espresso is a prized social and cultural ritual, and the country also considers it a national heritage worthy of UNESCO's recognition. Italians make about 30 million cups of espresso every day. Across the country, from Venice to Sicily, espresso is made in porcelain cups or glasses, with or without milk. Every cup of coffee is a gesture of friendship. Espresso is a favorite and popular drink of Italians. Photo: AFP Massimiliano Rosati, owner of Gambrinus cafe in Naples, told AFP: "Espresso is a means of sending word to someone you care about. They enjoy coffee every day, any hour. That's it. a shared moment, a magical moment". According to the Italian Espresso Institute, a successful cup of coffee is when the espresso must have a "round, rich and velvety" taste and "coffe...

 Tourism "bubble" revives Indonesia's "smokeless industry" On February 21, Australia fully opened its borders to international tourists after nearly 2 years of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. International passengers arrived at Melbourne Airport on the morning of February 21 (Image: REUTERS) More than 50 international flights are expected to arrive in the country today, including 27 landing at Sydney International Airport, as the tourism and hospitality sectors are trying to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. restrictions to prevent Covid-19. According to the latest decision of the Australian Government, international arrivals who have received basic vaccines will not have to be isolated, but those who have not been vaccinated will still have to be isolated. Speaking to reporters on the island of Tasmania, which is heavily dependent on tourism, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: "Today is a wonderful day, a day that I have been look...

 Tourism "bubble" revives Indonesia's "smokeless industry" On February 23, Indonesia's Riau province welcomed the first group of Singaporean tourists under the agreement of the tourism "bubble" program after nearly two years of closure due to the pandemic. About 28 Singaporeans docked at Nongsapura port in North Batam and were greeted by Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad while awaiting Covid-19 test results. These travelers are fully vaccinated and have health insurance worth at least S$30,000 (US$22,284) under a one-way travel "bubble" agreement between Singapore and Indonesia. Governor of Riau, Mr. Ansar Ahmad (yellow shirt) welcomes the first Singapore tourists (Source: wartarakyat) As a rule, visitors who meet the criteria will be free to move in the tourist "bubble" area without mandatory quarantine. Visitors from Singapore can enter Indonesia from the Nongsapura ferry terminal in Batam and the Bandar Bentan Telani ferry te...