The New Zealand Aviation Coalition (NZAC) is welcoming Singapore’s decision to open its border to Kiwis from September 1.

Singapore announced on August 21 that it will not require anyone who has been in New Zealand for 14 days before their flight to go into self-isolation on arrival.

Instead, travellers will undergo a Covid-19 test at the airport, and only be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore after receiving a negative test result.

Justin Tighe-Umbers, executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand (BARNZ), says the move by Singapore is indicative of what is starting to happen around the world.

‘The world is working out how to live with COVID-19,’ he says. ‘New Zealand will lose international connectivity with airlines pulling out unless it keeps abreast of what its competitors are doing and considers the implications. Once airlines pull out it will be extremely hard to compete to get them back and that will have major impacts for the price of tickets for travellers and for exporters relying on air freight.’

Meantime, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed Singapore’s announcement on the easing of border measures for entry into the country. It is urging other states in the region to look at ways to resume international travel safely, including through the implementation of travel bubbles.

‘COVID-19 has dealt a massive blow to the airline industry and the road to recovery is going to be long and slow,’ says Conrad Clifford, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific. ‘Our latest forecast indicates that travel demand will not return to 2019 levels until 2024, a year later than previously expected. Key to the recovery is the opening of borders and the lifting of travel restrictions and measures such as quarantine.’ He says Singapore’s announcement is positive and a step in the right direction. ‘We hope to work closely with the government so that Singapore’s aviation industry can restart safely while mitigating the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. And we urge other states in the region to look at ways to resume international travel safely.’

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has a new portal showcasing content that inspires travel to the country’s off-the-beaten-path destinations.

The hashtag #stayhomewithjapan encourages people to ‘look beyond the clouds’ and share personal links with Japan found in everyday life, and keep Japan at front of mind for when travel begins anew. 

This week’s Journey Through Japan incentive winners are Shari O’Connor from Helloworld and GT Rodgers from Travel Professionals.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO New Zealand) is running a series of agent webinars. Covering the nation’s cities, regions and the diversity of experiences on offer, the websinars will help agents plan their clients’ itineraries to the destination when international borders re-open. 

Taiwan Tourism is hoping its face to face reconnection with key members of the travel trade will be followed up by a reopening of borders between the nation and New Zealand in the not too distant future.

Taiwan Tourism hosted small groups of agents to two sessions on Wednesday at Kawau Kitchen near Auckland Airport, with a total of about 25 agents taking part in the workshops

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka is offering New Zealand agents the facility to book future holidays without the need to pay a deposit.

Centara Hotels & Resorts will launch a dedicated kids spa inspired by the the adventures of Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

The experience is for children aged 15 years and under to enjoy candy-themed spa treatments, manicures, pedicures, get creative by mixing their own lotions and potions or even hold parties.

Exotic Holidays is promoting a cutural tour in Taiwan for when it is safe to travel again.

Priced from $5297 per person twin share, the new nine-day land only tour visits some of the country’s key highlights.

Taiwan is being widely recognised a success story in the battle against Covid-19 at present.

This is the ideal time to rethink Hong Kong’s position in the global tourism market and elevate service standards, says Hong Kong Tourism Board’s chairman Dr YK Pang.

In a recent web conference, Pang pointed out that the tourism landscape would be reshaped in the post pandemic world. ‘We will see a shift in preference and behaviour among travellers – the public health conditions of

Thailand hospitality company Centara Hotels & Resorts, has launched an initiative to support medical staff.

Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has invoked an emergency decree across the nation, effective from now to 30 April 2020.

Fathom Asia is moving into new niche areas with the launch of its first specialist area, Fathom Asia – Adventure, while retaining its mainstream product.

Philippine Airlines has released a statement reiterating that currently the Philippines remains free of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

The Travel Concierge has a nine-night Sri Lankan famil for eight agents who will be immersed in culture and hospitality versus being stuck on an itinerary doing multiple property inspections.

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka has released monthly small group departures to commence this coming May with a maximum of 16 people.

World Journeys has few places left on its two small group hosted journeys Cherry Blossom Japan departing on 24 March and 8 April this year.

Active Asia has released an 18-day, 17-night tour for clients who like wildlife and the outdoors.

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka has teamed up with its partner to offer exclusive complimentary hot air balloon experiences for guests from New Zealand travelling between February and April 2020.

Acrossia has launched its first dedicated Taiwan brochure, reflecting the improved access to the destination and the corresponding increase in interest.

Clients travelling with New Zealand company, Out in India are offered a complimentary night at an &Beyond’s Taj Safari retreat when staying for five nights.

Resplendent Ceylon, which currently runs three Relais & Chateaux properties in Sri Lanka, will be opening an elevated resort (including a swimming pool on its roof at tree top height) at Dambulla in 2022.

Family holidays in India and Sri Lanka are becoming increasingly popular and not only provide enjoyment but also education for children travelling, says Amaan Khan, managing director of Total Holiday Options.

A journey on the bullet train is among the key features of a 13-day Discover Japan by Rail itinerary offered by Exotic Holidays.

When Active Asia principals Valentina Mould-Morelli and Lance Mould headed to Sri Lanka to research programmes on the destination they envisaged coming up with ideas for a six page add-on to an existing brochure.

Major developments are currently underway at Japan’s ski destinations of Niseko and Rusutsu, reports travel&co.

World Journeys says that the latest census in India has revealed a wild tiger population of almost 3000, an increase of close to 30% over the last four years.

A 12-day Culinary Tour of Sri Lanka is being offered by Exotic Holidays.

Exotic Holidays has an itinerary based around the JTBC Seoul Marathon.

Exodus Travels is offering 15% off tours to India, Sri Lanka & Nepal through until 30 April 2020.

Exotic Holidays’ Classic North India self famil offers the opportunity to visit Hindu’s holiest city, Varanasi.

In its 26th year, the Singapore Food Festival (SFF), is on 12 to 28 July 2019 with a total of 20 event partners offering a myriad of dining concepts and gastronomic experiences.

Fathom Asia has launched a range of self famils in conjunction with ground operator Asia DMC, giving agents the opportunity to have an indepth experience of several destinations at discounted rates.

Singapore Tourism Board, together with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Destination Asia (Singapore) and Air New Zealand, recently hosted a group of Kiwi incentive and events organisers on a famil to Singapore.

A recent Taiwan famil tour was an eye opener for Rijuta Gawri, marketing manager at Travel Managers Group.

Despite India being a hot topic of discussion at this week’s TRENZ 2019, New Zealand’s major annual tourism showcase, direct flights between the two countries still appear to be some way off.
Adrian Littlewood, chief executive of Auckland International Airport, says the company has a team working with the outbound industry in India but direct flights into the airport are ‘not imminent’.

Though Chongqing may not be a top of mind name for New Zealand travel agents it is actually one of the most visited (though often briefly) destinations in China.
The ‘small port of only 30 million people’, as described by John McGough, Auckland-based national sales manager with CTS, is the place of boarding or disembarkation for popular Yangtze River Cruises through the Three Gorges area.

Six product managers from New Zealand and Australian travel wholesale agencies were invited by the Macao Government Tourism Office to view all the latest product of the Asian region at the 7th annual Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) at The Venetian Macao – this year extended to celebrate Macao’s 20th anniversary as a Special Administrative Region.

Exotic Holidays’ seven-day Enchanting Taiwan tour from $1811 per person twin share travels Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, Taitung, Taroko, Taipei.

Rahul Sharma, of Exotic Holidays, is currently hosting a group of agents on a Philippines educational in conjunction with Philippine Airlines. The eight day tour includes Manila, Boracay, Cebu & Bohol.

Six Senses has opened its first three lodges in Bhutan – in Thimpu, Paro and Punakha, reports World Journeys.

Adventure World Travel (AWT) has released its 2019-20 Asia portfolio, which includes responsible wildlife options and and opportunities to discover the lesser explored areas in China and Cambodia.

Japan has plenty of life in it yet as a travel destination out of New Zealand and agents should get familiar with the opportunities it provides for their clients, says the founder of Wendy Wu Tours.

New Zealand travel agents need to be knowledgeable on Indonesia beyond Bali – to add value and variety for their clients and also potentially generate repeat business and increased expenditure.

Back-Roads Touring has released its Asia Small Group Tours brochure for 2019-20, with four tours ranging from eight to 13 days.

Significant savings can be had on more than 80 Wendy Wu tours departing April to July this year across all of the company’s destinations.

The trade is being urged to help get 1000 Kiwis to Xi’an in September next year around a key event in the China New Zealand Year of Tourism 2019 programme.
CTS Tours, along with co-hosts Air China and Air New Zealand, welcomed nearly 200 agents to a launch of its 2019 brochure and promotion around the 10 September 2019 extravaganza in Xi’an. The agents also had dinner at Spice Alley and watched the City of 100 Lovers musical comedy at SkyCity Theatre.

New properties, brands and renovations are giving agents more to sell when it comes to Centara Hotels & Resorts, a select trade group heard this week.
The company hosted about a dozen agents to lunch at Cable Bay Vineyards on Waiheke. The annual thank you to trade partners comes at a time when Centara is looking to double its portfolio over the next five years, dramatically expand its millennial-targeted Cosi collection and introduce a new luxury brand.

Come 2 November next year, all going well for the All Blacks, all eyes will be on Yokohama and the Rugby World Cup final.

Excite Holidays has launched its latest campaign and brand new video series in conjunction with Singapore Tourism Board, plus a supporting agent incentive.
The series explores the best of Singapore launching with three videos showcasing the top spots for nightlife, shopping and dining, in an eventual six-part series. The series includes interviews with key tastemakers in Singapore, including designers and Michelin-starred chefs, who give insight into their experience and what they believe makes this city-state incredible. The videos will be housed on Excite Holidays’ agent hub,

Forget the perceptions that Japan is expensive and crowded, that’s just Tokyo, says Michinori Yamasaki, executive vice president of JNTO RWC2019 and Tokyo Olympic 2020 Games Projects.