“In preparation, the government has implemented an extensive vaccination program for many target groups, including the tourist workforce. In addition, the government also initiated a Clean, Health, Safety and Environmentally Sustainability certification program across the entire tourism sector in Indonesia,” the announcement said. Bali injects Covid-19 vaccine for locals to implement a plan to reopen to welcome visitors. Photo: AFP. Earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo also said that the country would partially open its borders in July. Bali, Batam and Bintan will become the “engines” to revive the country’s tourism economy. These destinations are also “green zones” – places that are considered to be under control of the Covid-19 epidemic and most of the population has been vaccinated. However, the information about the reopening of Indonesia’s borders comes in the context of experts warning that the country is on the verge of another outbreak. The cause may come from the large gatherings after the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Indonesia applied a travel ban from May 6 to May 17 to limit the spread of the pandemic. However, government figures show that at least 1.5 million people moved before the ban took effect. Bali is absent from international tourists due to the pandemic. Photo: AP. Plans next July are not the first time Bali has tried to open up to tourists to revive the economy. In 2020, the plan to welcome foreign visitors back in September was canceled due to continued travel bans and a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases locally. The lack of visitors due to the pandemic has devastated Bali’s economy, which is 80% dependent on tourism. The destination is known as the “paradise island”, which is always bustling, now deserted, restaurants and bars are almost empty, operating in moderation or going bankrupt. According to the Reuters Indonesia is also the most affected Southeast Asian country in the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than 1.7 million infections and 48,000 deaths.

Chairman of the Corporation Chamnan Srisawat told the page ttgasia : “The current wave of Covid-19 infections may affect the final decision. But when we have been suffering from a pandemic for 15 months now, only mass tourism can save us.” Officials in Phuket have placed tight restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and are speeding up vaccinations to achieve herd immunity by the end of next month. Phuket is now close to the goal of vaccination against Covid-19 for 70% of its residents so that it can open its doors to foreign tourists. Locals say they are ready to welcome tourists on July 1 as planned. In 2019, Thailand welcomed nearly 40 million visitors, generating about $60 billion in revenue. Photo: livingnomads.com The tourist island of Phuket is expected to reopen and welcome international visitors from July. Thus, Phuket will be the first locality of Thailand to reopen, followed by 10 other destinations in October. Under this plan, travelers in low-risk countries who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to fly directly to Phuket without the need for a 14-day quarantine. It is forecasted that in 2021, Phuket will only welcome about 500,000 visitors, much less than the 6.7 million arrivals in the first months of 2020. Before the Covid-19 epidemic, 2019, Thailand welcomed nearly 40 million. visitors, generating about 60 billion USD in revenue. Currently in Phuket there are about 70,000 accommodation rooms. Mr. Chamnan Srisawat expects about 1 million room nights sold in July, bringing in about 40 billion baht ($1.28 billion) to the hotel and service industry. Mr. Chamnan Srisawat added: “In preparation for the reopening of Phuket, we have discussed with major suppliers and travel agents. They are all ready to help.” Phuket is an attractive destination of the Thai tourism industry. Photo: The Thaiger TCT’s proposal has been submitted to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Ministry of Tourism & Sports of Thailand, then submitted to the Government of this country for approval in June. If the campaign is “one USD, one night” As a result of Phuket’s success, the Thai government and private sector could expand the program to other destinations such as Koh Samui, Pattaya and Bangkok.

In an announcement at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai tourism fair 2021, Indonesia’s Deputy Tourism Minister Nia Niscaya said that Indonesia has implemented a broad vaccination program for many target groups, including the military. Tourism industry workers: “The government has initiated the program ‘Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability’ throughout the Indonesian tourism industry. We are confident that Indonesia remains a world-class destination.” The absence of international visitors has wreaked havoc on Bali’s economy. Source: Sonny Tumbelaka /AFP Indonesia is working to revive the tourism industry, especially in Bali. The absence of international visitors has wreaked havoc on the island’s economy, which relies up to 80% on tourism. Many resorts are deserted, businesses are closed and the bustling Denpasar airport is now mostly empty. Previously, a plan to welcome international guests back to Bali in September last year was canceled due to the local outbreak of Covid-19.

The resort island of Bali lost $4.3 billion in income last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: NT) In an effort to revive the tourism industry that is suffering from the pandemic, Indonesia plans to establish tourism corridors in some of its famous tourist destinations such as Batam Island, Bintan in the Riau Islands and Bali. Previously, the Indonesian government also tested a program to send civil servants to Bali to work. The official of the Covid-19 task force, Sonny Harmadi, said on June 6 that the government was completing the implementation of a tourism bubble in three regions. According to this program, tourist destinations implementing tourism bubbles must have a low number of Covid-19 cases, a low rate of Covid-19 patients in hospital, and have relaxed regulations restricting public activities. . The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will first open its doors to visitors to Bali and the Riau Islands. According to Mr. Sonny, not all of these locations will reopen to international visitors but will gradually open, starting from the green areas (areas that have been treated with the epidemic). “Local authorities announced that, first, the green zones in these two localities will welcome international visitors again after the tourism corridor is opened,” Mr. Sonny said. In Bali, the green zones include Sanur, Ubud, and Nusa Dua, while the green zones at Bintan are home to three resorts and on Batam Island are several golf venues. Sunset at Tanah Lot temple is always an attractive moment for tourists when coming to Bali island (Photo: NT) The Indonesian government will also set specific regulations for international visitors to these green areas. Although travelers are not required to self-quarantine, travelers must have a negative PCR test result for Covid-19 before departing for Indonesia. At the same time, visitors must also be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 vaccine. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the list of countries for Indonesia to implement a tourism corridor has been completed including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, China, Singapore and the Netherlands. Lan. Tourism is one of the industries that suffer the most damage of the “land of ten thousand islands” economy. Before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indonesian Government was expected to welcome 18 million international tourists in 2020 after recording 16.1 million international arrivals in 2019. However, the agency Statistics Indonesia at the end of 2020 announced that from January to October 2020, the country only received 3.72 million international visitors, a decrease of 72.35% compared to the same period in 2019. Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has set a target in 2021 to attract between 13 million and 14 million international tourists. Prior to the announcement of the tourism corridor plan for international visitors, the Indonesian government announced the “Work from Bali” (WFB) program to revive the tourism and creative economy industries that have been frozen because of the pandemic. Covid-19 of this island. Accordingly, WFB plans to bring 25% of Indonesian civil servants from seven different ministries to the resort island of Bali to work and live in hotel complexes in the Nusa Dua area. This initiative comes after statistics show that the total revenue of the world-famous resort island of Bali has “evaporated” $ 4.3 billion due to the pandemic. Therefore, to regain the confidence of the people in the country, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has planned to test this program from the first quarter of 2021 and will complete it in the third quarter of this year. The ministry also aims to increase occupancy in Bali to 30%. “We started the WFB program in January and we are already seeing early results in revitalizing the tourism industry in Bali. From only 2,000 to 2,500 visitors, it has now reached 7,000 to 7,500 visitors, and the number can be tripled,” said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno optimistically.

Thai Airways International (THAI), Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Israeli airline El Al are among the first to increase flights to Phuket. This popular tourist island has been closed to international visitors for over a year. Phuket beach is empty because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: Reuters A representative of THAI said that direct flights to Phuket from Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Paris, London and Zurich will be launched from July to September this year. In addition, its subsidiary, THAI Smile, has scheduled 4 round-trip flights per week between Phuket and Hong Kong (China), starting from July 2. Singapore Airlines has added one more flight on its Singapore – Phuket route as of June 1, from two existing flights per week. Airlines in the Middle East have also shown interest in Thailand reopening to international tourism. Qatar Airways is also planning to add more flights to Phuket, starting July 1. Emirates will also start direct flights from Dubai to Phuket four times a week, starting July 2. Previously, the airline had resumed daily flights from Bangkok to Dubai since September last year. El Al will resume direct flights from Tel Aviv – Phuket from next month.

Da Nang – safe and hospitable destination đến Currently, the world in general and Vietnam in particular have been actively taking measures to prevent the epidemic as well as implementing effective solutions to enhance the image and brand of the country, region and position. position of the region. For Da Nang, the government is working every day to ensure that the city is always a safe locality for people, a reliable and attractive destination for tourists. The first step to Da Nang, besides disease prevention measures such as giving free masks and antiseptic solutions at all hotels – restaurants – attractions – international airports or any other location. at any public point, visitors will still feel the friendly and hospitable atmosphere of the city people; receive dedicated and attentive guidance from the Visitor Center and tour service staff; enjoy rustic specialties but no less bold regional identity right on the street or be introduced to the destination of Da Nang by friendly and funny Da Nang tourist cyclos. Da Nang is probably the first locality in the country to receive a certificate of merit from the Prime Minister for its outstanding achievements in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic. Few people know, behind that certificate of merit, is a journey of nearly 2 years, the government and people of Da Nang are resilient against the epidemic, with unprecedented drastic and creative decisions. The initiative of 5 pooled samples in Covid-19 testing of Danang CDC has been awarded a certificate of merit by the Prime Minister Da Nang is also a pioneer locality with many creative ways to prevent epidemics, most notably the initiative of collecting 5 samples in Covid-19 testing by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of Da Nang City, helping Speed ​​up the process and save up to 20 times the cost compared to conventional testing. This initiative has been awarded a certificate of merit by the Prime Minister and proposed to be replicated in many localities. In a working session with Da Nang in early April 2021, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son commented: “Da Nang’s success is a valuable lesson and experience for the prevention and control of Covid-19 both. country”. Active, calm and creative, Da Nang has been showing the spirit of “total attack” rather than letting itself be passive in the fight against the epidemic. Da Nang people are friendly and sincere The impression of tourists near and far not only stops at the beautiful scenery of Da Nang but also because of the friendly people here. No matter how developed Da Nang city, possessing modern architectural works, strangely, the Da Nang people’s personality is only one, unchanged, the people who are patient, hard working, radiant face, A friendly smile, exuding a genuine, gentle but straightforward look. Especially the voice is unmistakable, at first listening once or twice many people can’t understand what they are saying, but after listening to it a lot, it is extremely interesting and attracted by the voice of Da. The people here don’t care who you are, where you come from, what job you do, … but you will all receive help if needed, friendly attitude, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, openness, their lovable, strangely lovable to first-time visitors. Da Nang people are friendly not only by their looks but also by their civilized and enthusiastic behavior. Looking to the shops and markets, you will not need to worry about the situation of “screaming prices” with tourists. Like the locals, visitors also enjoy delicious food, attentive service with reasonable prices, listed. The situation of “cutting and slashing” prices in Da Nang, if discovered, will be handled very seriously, so it is also possible to limit this situation to keep the friendliness and make tourists feel secure when traveling in Da Nang. For example, about civility and politeness, Da Nang people have left good impressions of the friendliness, hospitality and willingness to cooperate of everyone from babies to old people, from truckers to policemen. traffic with tourists. A friend in a northern province, coming to Da Nang for the first time, exclaimed: “Da Nang people are so friendly and cute!”. He said, simply asking for directions, anyone will give very dedicated and detailed instructions, which is not always convenient in other big cities. Da Nang has long been loved by many tourists for its beautiful tourist destination, with a diverse system of Danang hotels with good service standards, and at the same time a hospitable city. Da Nang people also leave many beautiful impressions in the hearts of tourists near and far. City of new buildings Da Nang always knows how to renew itself and create a certain “fever”. This city always has new and interesting works that make people want to come and explore. Some year, Da Nang built Ba Na – a modern and comfortable resort. Next is the majestic Dragon Bridge and then the Sun Wheel …… The image of a carp turning into a dragon of nearly 200 tons was installed on the east bank of the Han River, making many people excited to come and admire. After this statue, a “love pier” was also built on the banks of the Han River. The heart bridge with cute little locks with the meaning of love has become a romantic destination for couples in love. In particular, in Vietnam, this is the first love bridge built. The Prime Minister signed Decision No. 359 approving the adjustment of the general planning of Da Nang City to 2030, with a vision to 2045 with the goal of building Da Nang into one of the socio-economic centers. large association of the whole country and Southeast Asia. Accordingly, Da Nang will play the role of a center for startups, innovation, tourism, commerce, finance, logistics, high-tech industry, information technology, supporting industries; is one of the centers of culture – sport, education – training, high quality healthcare, science – technology development of the country; Center for organizing regional and international events. According to the decision, Da Nang is planned to be a seaport city, an international coastal city with the position as the nucleus of the urban chain and the growth pole of the key economic region of the Central – Central Highlands; become an ecological, modern and smart city, a livable city; national defense, security and sovereignty of the sea and islands are firmly guaranteed. The population size is forecasted to be about 1.79 million people by 2030, about 2.56 million people in 2045, the urban construction land area will reach about 31,836 hectares in 2030 (accounting for about 32.31% of the land area. on land) and reach about 35,054 ha by 2045 (accounting for about 35.57% of land area). Da Nang always brings people new and meaningful things. This is one of the reasons why people think that Da Nang is the most livable city in Vietnam. Da Nang – The tourist center of Asia It is forecasted that in the period of 2020-2025, the city will have 20,000 more rooms, bringing the total number of rooms in the whole city to 60,000 rooms… World-famous hotel management groups such as: IHG (Intercontinental, Crowne, etc.) ), Accor (Novotel, Pullman, Mercure), Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton… were all present, contributing to changing the face of the city. According to Google announced the list of 10 cities leading the world tourism trend in 2020, in which Da Nang (Vietnam) ranks first. Commenting on the announcement, Google rated Da Nang as a particularly attractive destination for international tourists. Golden Bridge – Ba Na Hills tourist area is a destination chosen by many international tourists. With a special location located in the center of many tourist attractions of Vietnam such as Hoi An ancient town, Hue ancient capital, My Son holy land… along one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Along with Son Tra peninsula as a precious gem bestowed by nature, Da Nang is always considered as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the eyes of international tourists when coming to Vietnam. And in the top 10 most popular destinations for international tourists in 2020, based on global hotel search data published by Google, Da Nang has surpassed famous tourist cities such as: Sao Paulo (Brazil) or Seoul (Korea) and Tokyo (Japan) to become the most favorite tourist city in the world”, Google assessed. Therefore, this place is always attractive to international tourists, in which Korea and China are the two leading international tourist markets today and account for > 50% in the past 5 years in Da Nang. Since 2013, the Korean tourist market has experienced a breakthrough growth with the number of visitors doubling year by year and increasing 30 times from 55,000 arrivals (in 2013) to more than 1,600,000 arrivals (in 2018), surpassing China. To become the leading country in terms of visitors to Da Nang. The outbreak of the Korean market has confirmed the important role of connecting flights and the level of concentrated and intensive promotion of new destinations by Korean airlines and travel agencies. Danang Department of Tourism It can be said that this is one of the good signs of Da Nang’s tourism industry and shows that tourism is really the spearhead economic sector of the city; gradually turning Da Nang into an international tourism center, a worthy destination for tourists.

Phuket province is rushing to vaccinate against Covid-19 to prepare to open tourism on July 1. (Photo: Phuket News) The Thai government has officially given the green light to the plan to reopen the tourist island of Phuket to foreign tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 from July 1. However, visitors to Phuket will have to stay on the island for at least 14 days before they can leave for other provinces. Under the chairmanship of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the meeting of the Center for Handling the Thai Economic Situation (Cesa) on June 4 reviewed and officially approved the reopening plan. Phuket tourism is submitted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of Thailand. Accordingly, from July 1, Phuket will become the first province in Thailand to welcome back foreign tourists and exempt those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. According to Thailand’s Minister of Sports and Tourism Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, this tourism opening program called “Phuket Tourism Sandbox” will be seen as a model for the opening up of Thailand’s entire tourism industry. However, in the approved plan, foreign tourists coming to Phuket will have to stay on the island for 14 days, a week longer than previously planned, before they can continue their journey to other destinations. in Thailand. Mr. Phiphat said officials attending the meeting also agreed to reopen to tourism for Bangkok, Cha-am district of Phetchaburi province, Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Pattaya city of Chon Buri province. , Chiang Mai and Buri Ram provinces from October 1. However, at this meeting, CESA has not approved the plan to reopen Krabi and Koh Samui to international visitors from July because the agency wants to evaluate the results of the reopening of Phuket within the next two months. According to Mr. Phiphat, the main reason why these 10 provinces were selected to participate in the pilot tourism opening program in the fourth quarter of this year is because these provinces bring a huge source of income from tourism. In 2019, the total tourism income of these provinces reached 1.5 trillion baht (equivalent to 48 billion USD). There are already a number of Israeli tourists scheduled to arrive in Phuket on July 7, while visitors from the US will fly to the tourist island two days later. Mr. Phiphat also expressed confidence that at least 70% of Phuket residents and 100% of local tourism staff will be fully vaccinated before the time the island opens. As of June 2, about 60% of the 466,587 residents of Phuket have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, of which 98,795 have been fully vaccinated.

Ben Thanh is one of the oldest markets in HCMC. The new market at the current location started construction in 1912 and was completed by the end of March 1914. The market is located between the routes Phan Boi Chau – Phan Chu Trinh – Le Thanh Ton – Quach Thi Trang square. Photo: Duck.min. Initially, the location of the market was located on the banks of the Ben Nghe River, near Gia Dinh citadel (then called Quy or Bat Quai citadel). This place is named Ben Thanh, a place for visitors and soldiers to rest when entering the citadel. The old market is located next to it, so it is called Ben Thanh market. Then, in 1912, a new market was built in a different location and still uses the name Ben Thanh to this day. Photo: Hoai Nhan. Binh Tay Market is located in District 6, in the Cho Lon area, so it is unofficially called Cho Lon. The market campus is 25,000 m2 wide, located between Thap Muoi – Le Tan Ke – Phan Van Khoe – Tran Binh routes. This place has bold Asian architecture, mainly wholesales clothing, shoes, jams, household appliances… Photo: Huysilom. In 2017, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City recognized Binh Tay Market as a city-level architectural and artistic relic. The market was inaugurated in 1930. In November 2017, the city started a comprehensive upgrade and repair project. The entire architecture and lines when repaired are inspected by the Center for Conservation and Promotion of the Value of Historical and Cultural Relics, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, the work was restored according to the original tile roof prototype. Photo: Jenny.le1284. The market is nearly 30 years old, hidden on Tran Thi Ky Street, District 10, is one of the largest flower gathering places in Ho Chi Minh City. This place is also known as the flower market that never sleeps because it is always bustling around the clock, especially during the Lunar New Year. Photo: Thao Ly. Thu Duc wholesale market is famous as the largest wholesale market of many kinds of vegetables and fruits in Ho Chi Minh City. The market is located in Tam Binh ward, Thu Duc district, is a convenient location at the eastern gateway of the city to the Eastern, Central and Central Highlands provinces. Photo: Alexey demidov.

People eat at a restaurant in Athens, Greece on May 30, 2020. (Photo: THX/VNA) Greece officially began reopening to tourists on May 15, aiming to kick off summer tourism in the hope of revitalizing the “smokeless” industry after being severely damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. 19 in the last year. After months of lockdown, Greece this week will also reopen its museums, including the Acropolis museum, which displays famous sculptures from Greek antiquity. After officially reopening, foreign tourists will be allowed to visit Greece if they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or tested negative for COVID-19. Travel between regions, including islands, will also be allowed for those who test negative or have been vaccinated. COVID-19 . Greece deploys vaccination against COVID-19 and hopes to vaccinate vaccines for most of the people here by the end of June. With the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid testing, as well as warmer weather for outdoor activities, tourists can travel and relax safely in the country, the Greek government said. this country. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic causing international tourism to slow down in 2020, the Greek tourism industry experienced its worst year ever, receiving only 7 million visitors compared to a record number. record 33 million visitors in 2019. Tourism revenue fell to 4 billion euros ($4.9 billion) in 2020, from 18 billion euros in 2019. Greece aims to recover this year’s tourism industry and reach 40% of 2019. .

Greece has deployed a vaccine against Covid-19 and hopes to vaccinate most of its people by the end of June. (Source: Travel Blog) After months of lockdown, Greece this week will also reopen its museums, including the Acropolis museum, which displays famous sculptures from Greek antiquity. After officially reopening, foreign tourists will be allowed to visit Greece if they have had the Covid-19 vaccine or tested negative for Covid-19. Travel between regions, including islands, will also be allowed for those who test negative or have had a Covid-19 vaccine. Greece has deployed a vaccine against Covid-19 and hopes to vaccinate most of its people by the end of June. The Greek government said that with the implementation of Covid-19 vaccination and rapid testing as well as warmer weather for outdoor activities, tourists can travel and relax safely in the land. this country. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic causing international tourism to slow down in 2020, the Greek tourism industry experienced its worst year ever, receiving only 7 million visitors compared to a record number. record 33 million visitors in 2019. Tourism revenue fell to 4 billion euros ($4.9 billion) in 2020, from 18 billion euros in 2019. Greece aims to recover this year’s tourism industry and reach 40% of 2019. (according to Reuters)

Tourists arrive at Phuket International Airport, Thailand. Documentary photo: AFP/VNA Phuket Tourism Association President Phumkit Raktaengam said on May 24 that 94,000 people working in the province’s tourism industry will be vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, all people with household registration in the province are also subject to vaccination. Phuket has about 400,000 registered local residents. The island employs about 500,000 Thai and foreign workers in tourism and other businesses. Phuket’s vaccination program is expected to cover 70% of the population by the end of June so that it can reopen to foreign visitors in July. The resort island of Phuket will be the first Thai locality to reopen, followed by 10 other destinations in October. However, the Thai government only expects to welcome 500,000 foreign visitors this year. – a fraction of the 6.7 million visitors to the Southeast Asian country in 2020 and nearly 40 million in 2019. According to a forecast by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the tourism industry, which accounted for one-fifth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, may have to It took 5 years, until 2026, to fully recover. Regarding the COVID-19 situation in Thailand, the number of deaths from COVID-19 in Thailand has surpassed 800, with 30 people recorded not dying on May 24. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand has recorded a total of 806 deaths out of a total of 132,213 people with COVID-19. The third COVID-19 outbreak since early April has accounted for nearly 80 percent of COVID-19 cases in Thailand and nearly 90 percent of all deaths so far. In recent days, Thailand has detected many COVID-19 outbreaks among construction workers in the capital Bangkok. Authorities last week also found 36 cases of a more contagious strain of the B.1.617.2 virus in construction workers’ quarters in Bangkok. On May 24, Thai officials confirmed a new COVID-19 outbreak at the construction site of an elevated tram line in Nonthaburi province bordering Bangkok. Test samples of 900 workers were taken on May 22 and confirmed results on May 24 showed that 519 workers were positive for COVID-19. Thai authorities say that most of the workers at the site are immigrants and will be quarantined at the site, while the Thai workers will be taken to a makeshift hospital. This construction site has been ordered to close since the evening of May 24.

Almost no restaurant is full, many employees stand at the door, trying to invite passersby. In the evening, only very few bars have guests to relax. “We maintain operations in the hope that some miracle will happen, for example, seeing a long line of customers waiting to open. Before the pandemic, there were always foreigners coming to my restaurant to eat burgers, everyone people still have to wait in line. Now it’s not like that anymore, every day, as long as there are about 20 customers, I feel lucky,” said a shop owner. Itaewon neighborhood is empty of tourists because of the epidemic. Photo: Korea Herald. A similar situation occurs in Myeong-dong, a popular destination for people who love to shop, eat, and have fun. Most of the restaurants operate moderately with a small number of customers. Because of their reliance on foreign tourists, the streets of Seoul are going through an unprecedentedly difficult time. The pandemic has limited international travel for many months, and the source of visitors from locals has also decreased a lot because of social distancing and blockade rules. The Seoul Metropolitan Government predicts that the number of foreign tourists has decreased by 86%, from 13.9 million in 2019 to just 1.92 million in 2020. “These neighborhoods popular with foreigners have been hit very hard. We get a lot of phone calls asking for help from people doing business here,” said an official from the tourism department of the city government. The famous entertainment areas in Seoul rely heavily on foreign tourists. Photo: Seoulpubcrawl. More than a year after the pandemic broke out, the rate of vacant real estate in busy neighborhoods also skyrocketed because many businesses went bankrupt. According to the Korea Real Estate Commission, more than a third of the total store space in Myeong-dong is vacant, or 38.4%. This rate stands at 22.6% in Itaewon and 13.1% in Hongdae. Experts say that unless the pandemic ends, this trend is sure to continue. In an effort to revitalize these areas, starting in May, the Seoul city government offers coupons and gift cards for a number of special tourist attractions, including Itaewon and Myeong-dong. A city government official in the tourism policy department said Seoul is also preparing many support measures to attract more local tourists to these entertainment districts. At Itaewon, some signs of positive change gradually appeared. According to shop owners, although business is not as good as before, the number of visitors seems to have increased as they turn to attracting locals. “Things are starting to get better compared to the same period last year. Hope to see Itaewon bounce back to its glory years,” said Maeng Ki-hoon, head of the merchants association in Itaewon.

The famous Nissi beach of Cyprus, taken on May 21, 2021. Travelers are required to take a Covid-19 test prior to departure. (Source: AP) Countries, especially those heavily dependent on tourism, are racing to revive amid the still raging Covid-19 pandemic. While some countries confidently promote border opening, some countries, including the rate of Covid-19 vaccination among the population is quite high, still struggling to “open” or “closed” the border. gender. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimated the tourism industry lost nearly $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs last year. Airlines alone lost $126 billion in 2020 and are likely to lose another $48 billion this year. “Headache” because each place has a style The rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine is well underway in many parts of the world, giving confidence to governments and excitement to those who love to travel. However, those who are planning travel trips sometimes feel like they are lost in the matrix of regulations because each place is different and even rapidly changing. For example, Cyprus imposes restrictions on countries considered to be at higher risk, requiring incoming passengers to take a negative PCR test 72 hours before departure and one more test. when entering this country. Travelers must also self-isolate until test results are released. Constantinos Victoras, general manager of NissiBlu hotel located near the famous white sand beach of Ayia Napa, said that although the infection rate in Cyprus has decreased significantly in the past two weeks, it is not until the end of June that everything is new. becomes more obvious. At that time, tour operators and airlines were just starting to plan and organize flights. “Things are still very vague,” says Victoras. Swedish tourists Agatha and Simon Godurkiewicz said they chose to vacation in Cyprus because they were tired of the pandemic. Agatha Godurkiewicz said: “We are fed up with life during the pandemic. When the epidemic first appeared, we panicked, but now we are learning to live together.” Confident Europe The economies of the Mediterranean countries, including Greece, Spain and Turkey, are heavily dependent on tourism. Tourists from these countries began to breathe a sigh of relief when last week the European Union (EU) agreed to allow travelers who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or come from other countries. countries are considered safe to enter. The Covid-19 digital certification will help Europeans who meet the above criteria travel more conveniently at the start of the tourist season without having to be isolated or tested when traveling to another country. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last week that Spain would begin allowing visitors from Britain, Japan, the United States and some other countries to enter if they have been vaccinated. Foreign tourists have begun to appear in Greece after authorities allowed people from the European Union and 21 other countries with vaccination and test certificates to enter. On the Greek island of Naxos, business owners have begun pulling furniture out of storage, cleaning floors and reopening once crowded seaside pubs. Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos said: “People here are very optimistic and there are a lot of bookings in the last two weeks. From now until the end of the year, the outlook will be bright. I’m sure of that.” Croatia has also reopened. The country is one of the few places in Europe that Americans can easily visit. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have announced the opening of direct flights from New York to Dubrovnik this summer. Cautious Asia The Covid-19 epidemic is breaking out again throughout parts of Asia, making some countries and territories more reticent when it comes to strategies to open up the tourism industry. After a new outbreak, Hong Kong and Singapore abandoned injections for travelers entering without quarantine. Hong Kong even extended the mandatory quarantine period for many unvaccinated travelers. Meanwhile, China has set up additional checkpoints at tollgates, airports and train stations in Liaoning province, where new cases arose this month. Travelers must present proof of a negative test result for the Sars-cov-2 virus. Thailand, which closed its borders and strictly controlled the outbreak last year, allowed some foreign visitors to enter under strict control in the fall. But the worst outbreak in late March caused the country to completely change its policy. Bangkok has closed entertainment venues and parks, encouraged people to work from home and banned outdoor dining. Streets in the capital and many resorts of Thailand are almost empty of people. Travel-related job losses are on the rise. Middle East and Africa eagerly When the outbreak emerged last year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) closed its borders and airports. The capital, Abu Dhabi, applies strict measures, including mandatory isolation, even for fully vaccinated residents returning from some epidemic-hit countries. But the UAE’s largest city, Dubai, has been open to tourists since July last year. In addition to meeting the requirement for a negative Covid-19 test, visitors are subject to a number of other restrictions that are not too strict. Dubai – home to the world’s busiest airport, a hub for international travelers – is attracting visitors from Europe with its wide-open beaches, bars, hotel pools, restaurants, cinemas. movies, amusement parks and spas. Social distancing and wearing of masks are mandatory. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Gulf, does not allow tourists to enter the country. Citizens of Saudi Arabia, who have been banned from traveling since March 2020, are allowed to travel abroad starting this month if they are vaccinated or have recently recovered from the Sars-Cov virus infection. 2. Despite struggling to cope with a new wave of infections, Egypt is trying to attract more foreign tourists. Beaches, cafes and restaurants located within guests are allowed to stay open. Travelers are required to present a negative Covid-19 test prior to entry. Latin America and the Caribbean: An open place, a shy place Visitors to the Caribbean countries fell by two-thirds last year, a low not seen since the 1980s. Bermuda was one of the hardest hit, with an 84% drop. Some islands, including Bonaire, Martinique and Montserrat still ban tourists from most countries. On some other islands, tourists are allowed to return provided they are monitored by electronic tracking devices. Several islands, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines have launched campaigns to attract tourists. Cruise lines are being sent from the US to Caribbean ports this summer. The US Virgin Islands has been the region’s success story this year, with arrivals falling just 27% between January and March. Meanwhile, Mexico does not ban flights, does not require visitors to be tested or quarantined upon arrival. This makes the number of tourists, although still decreasing, at a stable level, especially to sea tourist destinations. However, Mexico’s open policy angered some people in popular tourist areas. The rate of people infected with Covid-19 and hospitalized is increasing. Assistant Health Minister Hugo López-Gatell warned: “If public activities are not reduced, the situation will worsen.” USA and Canada: Be cautious The US continues to ban most visitors from Europe, China, India, Brazil and elsewhere. Incoming international visitors, including US citizens, must be tested for Covid-19 before boarding. The US State Department discourages business trips abroad, labeling many countries around the world as high risk. The border between the US and Canada remains closed for non-essential travel until June 21. Domestic air travel in the US is close to returning to 2019 levels. Many tourism businesses have shown impatience, saying that the Biden administration is too reticent to allow more international tourists to enter in the context that most of the country’s population has been vaccinated against Covid-19. -19. (according to AP)

People are vaccinated against COVID-19 by Johnson & Johnson Company in Chicago, Illinois, USA on April 6, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced the city will offer COVID-19 vaccination services to foreign visitors at mobile vaccination centers, starting this summer. But before that time, tourists, mostly Mexicans, have flocked to the US for the opportunity to get vaccinated. Up to now, tens of thousands of tourists from Mexico and some other countries have “landed” in many states such as Texas and Florida to be vaccinated. Some states in the US, including Texas, do not require visitors to present proof of residency. USA Today previously reported that thousands of wealthy tourists, including politicians, TV stars, leaders of companies and corporations in Latin America, have traveled to the US to receive vaccines. Some rent a private jet to go to the US. Mexico has so far only vaccinated enough doses for about 6% of the population and the vaccination program is only applicable to people over 60 years old. Many tour operators in Mexico have promoted travel packages including vaccinations to the US. “Enjoy Dallas and get a COVID-19 vaccine,” a travel agency ran an ad. Mexican airlines also recently increased flights to south Texas to serve the growing demand of travelers. A Thai travel company is also offering a package “COVID-19 vaccine tour” to the US. More than 200 people are already booked, at a cost of $2,400 per person for a 10-day trip to California that includes a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. The above amount does not include the cost of airfare.

Currently, visitors to the Maldives must provide a negative PCR test and proof of hotel reservations in order to gain entry. Maldives Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom recently said the Maldives’ Health Protection Agency is about to announce the lifting of entry restrictions for tourists who have completed their vaccinations. In addition, the country is preparing to deploy the 3V strategy “Visit, vaccinate, vacation” to attract and facilitate international tourists. Maldives is known as “paradise of relaxation”. Source: Getty Images However, the Maldives has not decided on the time of implementing this program. The government will first give priority to the people, to ensure that they are fully vaccinated with two doses of Covid-19 vaccine. When that process is completed, the country will be ready to vaccinate foreign visitors to visit and travel. So far, about 53% of the approximately 530,000 inhabitants of the island nation have received the first dose; this includes about 90% of frontline travel workers. It is not clear if tourists will have to pay for the vaccine, but the leader said vaccine supplies should not be an issue for the Maldives. The island nation receives vaccine funding from India, China and the World Health Organization’s Covax program; In addition, they also ordered more vaccines from Singapore. This year, the Maldives has welcomed 350,000 visitors, mainly visitors from neighboring country India. In addition, a large number of visitors come here under the “workation” model, with longer stays to work remotely. Minister Mausoom said that these long-stay guests will also receive two doses of vaccine. The 2021 target of the Maldives is to welcome 1.5 million visitors and 10 million room nights.

The new initiative aims to attract tourists to revitalize the Maldives economy, which largely depends on tourism. (Source: MTN) Maldives is an archipelagic country in South Asia, famous for its tropical climate and pristine waters, and depends heavily on tourism. About 67% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is sourced directly and indirectly from the tourism industry. Currently, visitors to the Maldives must provide a negative PCR test for Covid-19 and proof of hotel reservation in order to be admitted. Maldives Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom recently said that the Maldives Health Protection Agency is about to announce the lifting of the entry restrictions for tourists who have completed the vaccination. In addition, the country is preparing to implement the 3V strategy – “Visit, Vaccinate, Vacation” to attract and facilitate international tourists. However, the Maldives has not decided on the time of implementing this program. The government will give priority to the people first and foremost, ensuring that all are vaccinated with 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine. When that process is completed, the country will be ready to vaccinate foreign visitors to visit and travel. To date, 53% of the island nation’s approximately 530,000 residents have received the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, which includes 90% of frontline travel workers. It is not clear if tourists will have to pay for the vaccine, but the leader said vaccine supplies should not be an issue for the Maldives. The island nation receives vaccine funding from India, China and the World Health Organization (WHO) COVAX program; In addition, they also ordered more vaccines from Singapore. This year, the Maldives has welcomed 350,000 visitors, mainly visitors from neighboring country India. In addition, a large number of visitors come here under the “workation” model, with longer stays to work remotely. Minister Mausoom said these long-stay guests will also receive two doses of the vaccine. The target for the whole year 2021 of the Maldives is to welcome 1.5 million visitors and 10 million hotel nights. (according to VOV / CNBC)

That is the area of ​​Dance cave in Ninh Binh. Every year around May and June, when entering the lotus season, the lotus flower blooms, creating an extremely poetic, majestic, overwhelming scene … This clip was posted on Instagram @muacaves and quickly attracted the attention of netizens. In which, many international friends give compliments to the Vietnamese landscape, many people plan to visit here during their trip to Vietnam: – @travel_journal_photo: Too great. Miss Vietnam so much! – @cantalupimartin: I will be coming to Vietnam in March 2022. March is also the lotus season, right? – @daisykim_insta: It looks so peaceful. Before that, the images of this lotus lagoon were “stormed” on the Internet many times. (Photo: @shipped_away, @vietsui)

This scene seems to clearly illustrate the devastation of the Covid-19 epidemic on the tourism industry of the Golden Temple, especially on an island famous for its never-sleeping nightlife, which once attracted about 15 million. visitors per year, according to New York Times. Just a few weeks ago, Phuket seemed ready for a comeback. After a year away from foreign tourists, the Thai government decided to allow vaccinated visitors to Phuket in July without going through quarantine. This is part of a project called the Phuket Sandbox. However, the land of the Golden Temple is facing the worst outbreak of Covid-19 since the pandemic began, partly due to the rich people coming to Phuket, Bangkok to party without adhering to the social gap. Due to the epidemic, Phuket’s beaches are deserted even at the time of year attracting tourists. The number of new daily reported infections increased from 26 on 1 April to more than 2,000 just three weeks later. In early December 2020, Thailand had only 4,000 cases of Covid-19. For months, Thailand’s strict quarantine, blockade and mandatory masking measures have helped limit the spread of the epidemic despite having a significant impact on the economy. But in the latest outbreak, the country’s government responded slowly. In Phuket alone, it was not until April 22, when cases of SARS-CoV-2 were recorded at a record high, did the local government begin to request Covid-19 screening for those arriving on the island. On April 18, the Thai tourism minister admitted that Phuket reopening on July 1 seems unlikely because it will depend on the anti-epidemic situation in Thailand. Bleak In preparation for Phuket Sandbox, the Thai government has provided a variety of vaccines to the island, in hopes of gaining public immunity by the summer. As of mid-April, more than 20% of Phuket’s residents have been vaccinated. However, the picture is still very bleak. Usually at this time of year, the golden sands of Patong Beach will be overflowing with foreign tourists. But now, they are almost abandoned, where some local residents line up for Covid-19 tests. On the way, reptiles can freely move around without fear of being hit by traffic. The absence of international tourists makes life difficult for local residents in Phuket. In mid-April, the Songkran festival is seen as a rehearsal for Phuket’s revival. Instead of foreign visitors, hotels try to attract wealthy locals who, if not for the pandemic, would have gone to Hokkaido (Japan) for a vacation or to shop in Paris (France). However, rather than preparing for a comeback as a tourist paradise, the Songkran festival seems to have spoiled the island’s chances of reopening in July. At the festival in Patong and other beaches in April, thousands of wealthy Thais party, wear bikinis more than masks. To them, Covid-19 is just a virus that can infect vegetable vendors or manual labor, not the upper class. However, subsequent viral test results showed how wrong their thinking was. Many local workers had to line up to receive food assistance due to loss of jobs during the epidemic. The outbreak of the epidemic after months of economic difficulties is also causing the majority of Phuket’s residents to suffer. Just watching a 3-year-old elephant nibble on a cane nearby, Jaturaphit Jandarot lay slowly swinging in a hammock, with nothing else to do. Before the pandemic, he and other elephant managers on the outskirts of Patong used to bring in more than 100 tourists a day, mostly from China. “I am delighted to know they will open Phuket to foreign tourists. Thais do not ride elephants, “Jandarot said. But no matter what the tourism situation, the elephants still need to be fed. . “Of course, we want to welcome people to Phuket, but when they do not defend themselves and bring Covid-19 here, I am somewhat angry,” said Huda Panan, a primary school teacher. Being a taxi driver, unemployed for a year. At one point, mosques in Phuket distributed food to the local people. The long line of people quickly ran out of food. “We can wait a little longer to improve Phuket situation, but not too long,” said Panan.

The tourist information site Discover Puerto Rico said that from April 28, tourists to the islands will be fined $ 300 if they fail to present a negative Covid-19 result and be forced to take a PCR test right after. there. Covid-19 quick test results are also not recognized. Within 48 hours, visitors can upload the results to the online portal “Travel Safe” and can then continue their journey. Tourists visit the ruins of Old San Juan. Source: Discover Puerto Rico Previously, Puerto Rico had imposed a $ 100 fine policy for visitors who refused to wear masks in public. Island-wide curfews are in effect every night, starting from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The public areas at the hotels are still closed. Puerto Rico recommends that the elderly, those who are sick, have a chronic illness should not travel at this time. Public beaches are still welcome, although drinking alcohol in public is prohibited. Although the museums, swimming pools and attractions are all open, reservations are encouraged as many destinations are only running at 30% capacity./.

5 is a special number When enjoying dishes in Vietnam, many foreign visitors are surprised with all the sour, spicy, salty, sweet and bitter flavors. This perfect blend creates the culinary features of this place, making a strong impression on visitors from afar. The typical flavor of each region Vietnam is divided into 3 main regions including North, Central and South. The cuisine of each of these regions also has its own characteristics. In the North, the food is less spicy, preferring pepper over chili. The North is also the birthplace of bun cha, a dish that was enjoyed by former President Barack Obama and the late chef Anthony Bourdain in 2016. Central has very spicy dishes that challenge the taste buds of diners. Meanwhile, Southern dishes are usually sweet. Full breakfast This has surprised many visitors to Vietnam. Vietnamese people tend to get up early and prepare well since it’s not yet morning. Before going to work, everyone can enjoy a bowl of hot pho, stewed soup or broken rice … dishes that are often used in the main meal. Coffee culture Many people believe that coming to Vietnam without trying coffee will be too big a mistake. Visitors can find cafes in almost every street in Vietnam, from popular to expensive. One of the coffee styles suggested by Culture Trip is iced brown. “ The coffee cup is combined with condensed milk and ice. This drink is like a powerful catalyst to stay healthy all day. A few delicious cafes are hidden inside alleys that are difficult to find “, this travel specialist commented. The dessert is liquid and cold Culture Trip advises visitors to enjoy the tea when coming here, especially banana tea. For those who want to eat well and like beautiful photos, 3-color tea is a reasonable choice. Strange dishes According to Culture Trip, the two dishes that most surprised foreigners when coming here are the blood and duck eggs. Blood broth is the main ingredient of fresh animal blood (duck or pig, goat) mixed with fish sauce or salt and then mixed with chopped meat and cartilage. Meanwhile, flipped duck eggs are a big challenge for foreign visitors. Fish sauce Fish sauce is used with many dishes. Visitors can dab vegetables, boiled meat, beans … with fish sauce to make the dish more flavorful. Besides, fish sauce is also used to create the perfect dipping dish for dishes such as spring rolls, bun cha, and banh xeo.

It is hard to imagine that one could eat such adorable animals as kangaroos, camels or ostriches. But in Australia, they are on the popular menu. In Bangladesh, Shutki is a dried pangasius dish known for its strong fishy smell. Shutki is used to process many different dishes. Swinging coconut is a famous dish in Cameroon. Western Vietnam also has this specialty. They are very rich in nutrients, but in their appearance, many visitors must fear. Chinese blood tofu is a curd of pork blood that is often served with noodles or rice. Century egg is a dish originating from the love of Hunan, China. Quail eggs, duck eggs, chicken eggs preserved in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, lime, and hulls for weeks or months, will lead to a process of changing the smell, color and flavor of egg. Frozen cooked eel is a specialty of England. Many visitors are hesitant to try this dish. Mimolette is one of the world famous French cheeses. The special thing about this dish is fermentation thanks to the cheese ticks. Mimolette is like the traditional Casu marzu cheese in Sardinia, Italy – a “rotten cheese” with maggots that many people fear. The Germans eat Hackepeter which consists of minced raw pork served with bread, sometimes with garlic and onions. In Greece, the most common Easter dish is kokoretsi, made from viscera stuffed in the intestines of sheep or goats, and then grilled. Lampredotto is a popular street food in Florence, Italy consisting of a cow’s fourth stomach served with sandwiches. Natto, a Japanese dish that is fermented soybeans, is often served with soy sauce and karashi mustard. It is known for its strong taste, slimy texture, and sticky texture. Coming to Mexico, you will be served fried maguey worms with American aloe and guacamole sauce. Chapulines are a popular type of grasshopper prepared by frying. This is a popular snack in Oaxaca, Mexico. Flipped duck eggs are also a dish that many people do not dare to try. This dish is present in the Philippines, Vet Nam … Scottish Haggis is a pudding made from sheep’s heart, lungs and liver that is cooked inside its stomach. Haggis is usually served with turnips and potatoes.

In addition to large, airy space and fresh climate, the factor that attracts people and tourists to participate in fitness activities is that the city has invested a lot of equipment and attached facilities. Below the beach there is a stretch volleyball net; Along the walking route, there are single beams, double beams, car steering simulators, bicycle models, slides, animals …, not to mention free wifi network for training. , entertainment. Residents and visitors are free to choose the form of fitness, sports, and entertainment suitable for their interests and ages without going to gyms, gyms or entertainment areas to buy tickets. Such “popular” facilities make tourists more excited, people love their home city more and more, add a youthful, dynamic and friendly culture to the tourist city. 2. In the evening, sitting on ice tea and enjoying the wind with friends at Dong Chiec lake (Phu Son ward, Thanh Hoa city), I also saw a few middle-aged doctors exercising with cycling simulation equipment in a cluster. the equipment is placed at the entrance to the lake grounds. However, due to the lack of tools, only a few participants joined and every now and then they were disturbed by curious children, fighting mischievously. Not to mention, the gym and entertainment space is “polluted” by all kinds of mixed sounds, from loudspeakers to swearing from young people gathered on three sides of the water table. In other public spaces of the city, nowhere to find a space with additional conditions of equipment and equipment for “popular” sports training as I have witnessed in Nha Trang. Although in these places – May Den Lake, Hoi An Park, Lam Son Square for example – there are many people exercising and sports every day, mainly walking-jogging, cycling, gymnastics. Ayurvedic. At marine tourist destinations such as Sam Son, Hai Hoa, Hai Tien, too, there is no image of foreign tourists curving up on double beams, middle-aged doctors in sweaty shirt on a car steering wheel model. The little children fluttering by the slide, swarming animals. Over the past time, starting from the idea of ​​the union organization, many localities in the province have built more play areas for children in community living spaces. This not only beautifies the local public spaces but also serves as a place for children to exercise and improve their physical and mental health. Each amusement park has a small total investment – only about 18-20 million VND and is mainly a source of socialization, but the equipment is abundant, from slides, swings, jumping animals, animals to tools. Help increase the ability of motor, reflexes for children. This funding source is not too difficult to mobilize in order to increase equipment and equipment for physical training and sports in public spaces, tourist areas and destinations. Contributing more convenience, dynamism and positivity to each citizen is also contributing to the openness and friendliness for each community and locality.

The most famous resort island in the Golden Temple has its own international airport. So tourists can freely roam the island without risking spreading the virus to other parts of Thailand, according to Reuters . “If we can build immunity to 70-80% of the island’s population, we can accept vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine,” said Piyapong Choowong, deputy governor. Phuket, says. In addition to health workers, government cabinet members and the elderly, Thailand also prioritizes Phuket’s people to get vaccinated over other localities, emphasizing the central role tourism plays in the country’s economy. Phuket aims to complete the Covid-19 vaccination for the majority of its population by July 1. Before the pandemic, foreign visitors contributed 11-12% of Thailand’s GDP. However, the country’s tourism industry has lost 1.45 million jobs since the outbreak. In 2020, only 6.7 million foreign tourists come to Thailand, spending about 11 billion USD, down from 40 million visitors and 61 billion USD in 2019. In the third quarter of this year, the government of the Golden Temple expects at least 100,000 tourists to return to Phuket. As the global vaccination program progresses, the number is expected to be 6.5 million visitors in the fourth quarter and spend $ 11 billion. “It is a challenge but if it succeeds, it will contribute to the country’s GDP to some extent. We do not expect visitors to come massively like a dam break but hope there will be many generous visitors,” said Yuthasak Supasorn , Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said. He said tourists from Europe, the United Arab Emirates and the US will return to Thailand first. Thailand’s most famous resort island hopes to soon return the tourism industry to normal thanks to the early vaccination program. During the outbreak, strict 14-day quarantine requirements for foreign tourists helped Thailand limit the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections to about 29,100 cases and 95 deaths. However, it is this plan that also makes many tourists afraid to come here to travel. Long-term tourist attraction programs that test negative for SARS-CoV-2 have largely failed, even with innovative measures such as “golf isolation”. Songklod Wongchai, an analyst at Finansia Syrus, believes Thailand can quickly revive its tourism industry. This expert gave an example of the Maldives, the island nation whose hotel booking rate rebounded to 70-80% despite cases of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. “Increased demand could come back faster than expected. I think the ‘land of smiles’ will soon start to smile again, ”Wongchai said.

Pho Viet has long made its mark on the world culinary map and is highly appreciated by international visitors for its taste and uniqueness. Not only going to Vietnam, you can enjoy this famous specialty. Vietnamese pho is on the menu of many restaurants around the world. Some names became famous brands in foreign countries. Pho Long Phung (Singapore) Long Phung is one of the restaurants serving Vietnamese famous dishes in Singapore. Coming here, diners will enjoy specialties such as vermicelli, vermicelli, spring rolls and pho. What do diners say? Louisa Kelly Kho: “Food is good, beautiful but the service is not good. I ask for basil but the staff is not serving. They speak Vietnamese together and then never come back again. I wish I understood what they said. After eating, I was asked to bring the food to the counter for packing. The staff was quite busy. Singapore has many other beautiful Vietnamese restaurants to visit. Chua Samantha: “I’m an ardent fan of Vietnamese coffee and other coffee-related beverages. Beef noodle soup is quite sweet compared to my taste. The herbs are a bit less, there is only a little basil in it. on. Staff was a bit noisy at the counter “. Pho Binh (USA) Pho Binh is a restaurant serving traditional Northern Pho. Each bowl of pho here is big, more meat. This dining place is a familiar destination of Vietnamese people in Houston (USA). What do diners say? Jame W: “I have enjoyed Vietnamese pho in several states. This is the best restaurant to sell this dish. One serving is full for a healthy eater. Very friendly staff”. McKinzie B: “This is my favorite pho place in Houston. Affordable price. My husband and my meals usually cost 13-14 USD. The only downside is the limited seats.” Napisarn: “The restaurant was one of Houston’s first pho stalls. Great broth. Quality meat and ingredients. Good service. Unfortunately, it doesn’t open at night.” Pho Tau Bay (Australia) Pho Tau Bay is popular with visitors by its rich and delicious taste. The shop specializes in serving all kinds of pho beef, under, encrusted, dandruff and chicken pho. What do diners say? ItsStanley: “This is one of Cabramatta’s busiest pho restaurants. The staff served the food quickly. The beef-matching pho was delicious. However, after the waiter introduced the chicken and fish noodle soup and tasted it. “I realize this is the best pho ever. In addition, the restaurant also has electronic money transfer service, a rare thing in restaurants in Cabramatta”. Oboist3: “This is one of the best places to enjoy pho in Cabramatta. On weekends, the restaurant is very crowded. You should not come on holidays if you are afraid to queue.” Miss Saigon (Brazil) The restaurant opened in 2013 by a Vietnamese couple in Moema district, Brazil. Miss Saigon serves pho, beef sandwiches and Hue beef noodle soup. The dishes often have a more salty, richer taste to suit the local taste. What do diners say? 53MarcoT: “Friendly staff. Food is delicious. Reasonable price. If you enjoy the taste of Vietnam in Brazil, this is the place to go. I suggest you finish your meal with a cup of Vietnamese coffee.” Male”. 390freddym: “I regularly come here with my wife once a month. We are always well served by the staff. Vietnamese dishes are well made with traditional flavors”.

The beaches in Phuket are empty of foreign tourists. (Photo: Bangkok Post Office) The Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand said that the number of Covid-19 cases per day has increased to more than 2,000 and is not sure how the pandemic will break out, so the previous goal is to attract 6.5 million foreign tourists in 2021 are difficult to achieve. The Thai government currently expects international arrivals by 2021 to be only 3 million to 4 million visitors. Meanwhile, local tourists are predicted to make about 100 million -120 million trips this year, down from 160 million in the previous forecast. However, Thai officials will continue to plan to attract international tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid-19, through a pilot project in the tourist city of Phuket from July 2021. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will help distribute Covid-19 vaccine to 70% of Phuket’s residents in preparation for international tourists. Regarding the Covid-19 situation in Thailand, today (April 24), health officials of this country recorded a record high number of new cases in the day, with 2,839 cases and 8 more deaths. To date, this Southeast Asian country has recorded a total of 53,022 cases of Covid-19, of which 129 died and 22,327 are under treatment./.

Visitors cannot visit the temples of Angkor in the next two weeks. The Cambodian government has decided to close the world-famous Angkor temple complex for two weeks in an effort to stop the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country. The closure of this world’s most popular attraction is the latest attempt in a series of measures by the Cambodian government after the number of Covid-19 cases increased rapidly in the “pagoda country” in February. In a notice issued on April 7, the Angkor Population Management Authority said visitors will not be able to visit this UNESCO heritage site from April 7 to April 20. The Angkor complex, located in Siem Reap province, attracted 2.2 million foreign tourists in 2019. But the site also experienced a sharp recession last year due to disruptions caused by the pandemic. cause. Cambodia still allows tourists to enter the country but they have to quarantine before making any trips to the country. On April 8, Cambodia’s Ministry of Health announced that the country had recorded 113 new cases of Covid-19 and two more deaths due to Covid-19. Cambodia has now recorded a total of 3,028 cases of Covid-19, of which 23 were fatal.

Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, said that the video clip will be broadcast daily from Monday to Sunday, from now until the end of June 2 on the time frames are from 9:30 – 17:00 and from 17:00 – 19:00. Nghinh Ong festival, one of cultural events in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, is favored by many foreign tourists. The content of the video clip mainly introduces the natural beauty of forest, sea, new discoveries in Ba Ria – Vung Tau … is ready to welcome international visitors as soon as Vietnam reopens, later long term effects of the Covid-19 epidemic. Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hien said: “In addition to organizing links with other provinces and cities in the country to promote domestic tourists, the Ba Ria – Vung Tau tourism industry continues to work with international media channels. We have developed an outline, focusing on promoting the image of Ba Ria – Vung Tau tourism abroad, bringing the image of local tourism further “./.

400g pre-mixed pancakes flour 200g shrimp 200g bacon 200g green beans Mushrooms (if you like) Scallions, bean sprouts Herbs Step 1: Preliminary processing of raw materials Take onions, bean sprouts, scallions, raw vegetables, lettuce, … pick them up thoroughly, soak them in diluted salt water, rinse it again and then drain. Head-cut shrimp, you can peel it too. Thinly sliced ​​beef. Marinate shrimp and beef separately with a little spice so that when we pour pancakes, it will absorb more. Onion peeled, cut into areca zone, scallion is also chopped. Step 2: Mix the flour Add rice flour, turmeric powder, a little salt and mix well. Then you add water and coconut milk to another bowl. Next, add the water mixture to the dough and stir well until the mixture is aqueous, smooth and free of clumping. Note should not mix the dough too loose or too thick will affect the quality of the cake when making. After you have mixed the water mixture, add a little oil and cut green onions. Add rice flour, turmeric powder, a little salt and mix well Step 3: Stir fry the cake Add cooking oil to the pan, then add the onions and fry to make fragrant, then stir-fry the shrimp and meat in turn. Initially we were marinated with spices so before adding more you remember to taste again. Add cooking oil to the pan, then add the onions and fry to make fragrant, then stir-fry the shrimp and meat in turn Step 4: Fry the cake Take a saucepan, add oil and heat. Then pour the dough very thin, cover for 30 seconds. Then add the meat or shrimp and add a little bean sprouts. You cover within 2 minutes, the cake is already golden crispy. Remember to come back and forth to make the golden cake evenly. Take a saucepan, add oil and heat. Then pour the dough very thin, cover for 30 seconds. Just do the same until all the flour and filling are gone. How to make fish sauce Resources: Fish sauce: 3 teaspoons Boiling water: 1/2 teaspoon Sugar: 1 teaspoon Monosodium glutamate: 1/2 teaspoon Chili: 1 fruit Garlic: 4-5 cloves Lemon juice: 1 teaspoon Resources Doing: Minced garlic, chili. Mix fish sauce, boiling water, sugar, and monosodium glutamate. After stirring, add the minced garlic and chili mixture. Next you add the lemon juice and stir well. Season to fit your taste. Chili garlic fish sauce So you have completed the special pancakes of Central Vietnam plus dipping sauce for you to eat well. Serve with raw vegetables, add mango if you like, the dish will not be bored.

(Photo: TCDL) With a length of 30 seconds and broadcast every day from Monday to Sunday, the promotional video for Ba Ria – Vung Tau tourism has officially appeared on BBC Global News in the Asia-Pacific region. from April 8. This movie promoting Ba Ria – Vung Tau tourism will be broadcast in two months with 150 broadcasts in peak hours 9:30 – 17:00, 17:00 – 19:00. This is an activity within the framework of the cooperation program between the Department of Tourism of Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Global Book Corporation – the authorized representative of BBC Global News, to promote interesting things in Ba Ria – Vung Tau to international tourists. Ba Ria – Vung Tau tourism appeared on BBC Global News with outstanding features such as discovering new experiences with blue sea, white sand, golden sunshine (Discover New Experiences), discovering majestic nature with marine ecosystems (Discover Majestic Nature), discover endless adventures with impressive architecture hotels and resorts (Discover Unlimited Adventure), explore the fresh climate (Discover Cool Climates) and explore (Discover Joy). The video promises to help viewers get an overview of the great vacations in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, help international visitors to have up-to-date information on Vietnam tourism to avoid being forgotten after the time. long periods separated by Covid-19 translation. Since then, contributing to attracting international visitors back to Vietnam after the market is reopened. BBC Global News is a major and prestigious media channel in the world with more than 450 million households watching channels in 200 countries and territories. BBC Global News content is available in 3 million hotel rooms, on 178 cruise ships and 53 airlines. Over the past years, Vietnamese tourism has taken advantage of digital platforms to promote the image of Vietnamese nature, culture and people to the world. In October 2020, the General Department of Tourism has officially broadcast the clip “Why not Vietnam?” on CNN TV channel lasting for six weeks to introduce Vietnam’s top travel products and destinations, introduce a safe Vietnam, with many classy travel products, and unspoiled destinations. wonderful. Before that, in June 2020, Da Nang signed an agreement to promote Da Nang tourism with BBC international television. Accordingly, every day BBC Asia-Pacific region (coverage in more than 200 countries) plays an introduction clip about Da Nang with a length of 30 seconds. Broadcast duration is 98 times during peak hours. In the year 2017-2018, Hanoi City spent $ 2 million to promote the image on CNN TV channel. Hanoi has produced three promotional films, each with a length of 30 seconds, with 60s films, a 3-5-minute reportage, a 30-minute special program on television; specific introduction pages about Hanoi such as “Hanoi – Heart of Vietnam”, “Hanoi – Cradle of Heritage”, “My Hanoi”, “Hanoi Perspective” on CNN.com and articles write on social networks Facebook, Twitter and banner ads.

Malta is famous for its beautiful beaches and unique architecture

Malta’s Tourism Minister, Mr. Clayton Bartolo recently announced plans to stimulate demand for foreign tourists, after restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic were removed in the country starting on 1-6. From now on tourists from all over the world can book their summer vacation directly through local hotels to receive the aforementioned discounted amount.

Accordingly, tourists who book a vacation at a 5-star hotel will receive 100 euros from the Malta Tourism Authority support program, after receiving confirmation from the hotel, tourists will receive more the amount is 200 euros. For those who choose 4-star hotels, they will receive a total amount of 150 euros, and 100 euros for 3-star hotels. In addition, any tourist booking on the island of Gozo will receive an additional 10% of the accommodation rate.

“The plan is to put Malta’s hotels in a very competitive position compared to other locations when international tourism is restarted,” said Minister Bartolo. The government’s tourism stimulus plan worth up to 3.5 million euros is expected to attract about 35,000 foreign tourists to Malta this summer.

The islands of Malta are always ideal destinations for tourists

World Travel and Tourism Council data shows that tourism now accounts for more than 27% of Malta’s economy, but the number of foreign visitors to the country has decreased by more than 80% since the pandemic. Covid-19 began to break out in Europe in March 2020. To get ready for the reopening of international tourists, Malta has also actively implemented the Covid-19 vaccine vaccination.

It can be said that the next ceremony of April 30 and May 1 will be the time of “slamming” for many Vietnamese. This is clearly shown through the numbers.

According to statistics of many major travel companies, the number of tourists booking tours has reached 50-60% and short-term tours still dominate with destinations such as Sa Pa, Ha Long, Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Da Lat, Con Dao …

Sa Pa Tourism Association said that since the beginning of April 2021, rooms at accommodation establishments for 4 days of 30/4 holidays and 1/5 in Sa Pa have reached about 80%. Many establishments run out of rooms completely on this occasion.

Similarly, Vietravel has sold about 80% of its tour plans for the holidays of April 30 and May 1.

The epidemic COVID-19 is being well controlled, so the tourist spots are almost overloaded on the weekends. Meanwhile, many resorts, homsestay, 3-4 star hotels in Da Lat, Vung Tau, Phan Thiet … announced their room out at the holidays of April 30 and May 1. The airlines also announced “burned” air tickets this holiday.

It can be said that April 30 and May 1 are the first long break, opening the domestic tourism summer and also a golden opportunity for the tourism industry to recover and take off after more than a year of hardships for COVID- 19.

In the summer of 2021, the golden time of domestic tourism is because Vietnam has well controlled the epidemic and the demand for tourism has been compressed for more than a year, waiting for a “boom” moment. If before COVID-19, the domestic tourism market had to share a lot of money to choose to travel abroad, now, this 90 million population market is almost a piece of domestic tourism.

Facing such a great opportunity, the domestic tourism industry needs to make the most of the new difficult opportunity to retain this large number of tourists in the long run. For a long time, some tourist resorts have been doing business in a “snatch” style, only worrying about the immediate benefits, worrying about withdrawing money from visitors without regard to service attitude and service quality. For a long time, a number of tourist spots that are used to welcoming Western tourists have a lot of money and have a “chaste” attitude towards domestic tourists.

If we keep the same way, it is difficult to take advantage and keep the upcoming golden opportunity. It should be understood that at least in the year period, the tourism industry will inevitably still have to rely largely on domestic tourists.

Whether the program “Vietnamese to travel to Vietnam” has been maintained for a long time, creating a habit for domestic tourists or not, it all depends on the stakeholders involved in the tourism industry. If not, as long as the pandemic ends in many countries, a large number of Vietnamese tourists will pull suitcases to travel abroad. There are places where the natural scenery cannot be as beautiful as Vietnam, but the travel service is sure to satisfy them more.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese tourism industry still has to find ways to welcome international tourists while ensuring not to “catch” even the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Countries that depend on tourism have many good ways such as travel corridors, flexible isolation, vaccine passports …

Thailand and Indonesia both give priority to the COVID-19 vaccination for people in the two tourist islands Phuket and Bali, aiming to open to international visitors soon this July. Indonesia will prepare a tourist corridor, establish a “green zone” in Bali for tourists to come and stay, considering a direct flight connecting Bali with well-controlled countries. Meanwhile, the tourism industry in Phuket wants to inject the majority of the island’s population to welcome all international tourists who have vaccinated. Visitors will not have to quarantine or go anywhere as long as they do not leave the island within a week.

Tourism bubbles have been formed as between Taiwan (China) and Palau, Australia and Singapore …

The European Union (EU) member countries have agreed to formally implement the ‘vaccine passport’ initiative towards reopening the tourism industry in the summer of 2021.

In Vietnam, Da Nang is the leading city in this regard. The city tourism industry has selected about 10 leading travel companies to prepare for the welcome guests when the policy of “vaccine passport” from the government.

Facing a precious golden opportunity, the Vietnamese tourism industry is both happy and worried. Glad for the opportunity to revive, worried about how to perform the dual task: well serving the sudden increase in tourists; ensure disease prevention.

Because just one case of COVID-19 in the community in a certain tourist city is a golden opportunity to slip out of hand again, as happened in Danang last year.

Many elephant camps in Thailand were once the top destination for international tourists, but are now forced to close or scale down due to the March 2020 ban. return to their original habitat.

An estimated 3,800 house elephants have been moved out of the tourist spots scattered in Surin province (southeastern Thailand) to the coastal towns of Pattaya or Phuket and the mountains around Chiang Mai.

Several individuals were brought back to Huay Pakkot, a village 180 km southeast of Chiang Mai city where the Karen ethnic minorities have traditionally raised elephants for generations.

A bishop is looking for 4 old elephants. Older males can become aggressive and even kill their offspring. Photo: Nikkei Asia

“After two days, the elephants are gradually adapting to new habitats,” said Theerapat Trungprakan, president of the Thai Elephant Association.

Huay Pakkot and several surrounding villages used to be the largest concentration of elephants in Northern Thailand. Here, elephants are used in the logging industry. After Thailand’s ban on logging in 1989, elephants and mahout left and joined the tourism industry that grew “like mushrooms after rain”.

“The elephants have been returned home, where they were born, but that place is not the same place anymore,” Mr. Theerapat said.

Bishop Pongkavi Kwansaodaeng hugs Dumbo (5 years old), one of his four elephants. Image:

Nikkei Asia

The once fertile forests, where elephants could roam around and find plentiful food, have “disappeared”, replaced by bare slopes planted with corn for fodder. . The amount of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers used are now in the soil and will most likely cause the elephant’s death.

“Elephants now have to share their living space with modern agriculture,” said Satit Trachookwamdee, a man who used to raise five elephants. “The natural forests now meet only 10% of the elephant herd’s daily diet. The rest must be shipped from remote towns, which are very expensive.”

An elephant can consume up to 300kg of fodder per day, most of the house elephants are now chained to prevent them from destroying crops, and to prevent unknown elephants from colliding with each other.

“This is like gathering aggressive kids in a nursery,” said Theerapat.

If you lose your elephant, the consequences are very unpredictable. An 8-year-old female elephant named Nana suffered chemical burns on her tongue and palate after eating food containing herbicides.

The elephants were fed corn, a food source not available at Huay Pakkot. Photo: Nikkei Asia

In order to promptly cure dangerous cases, Chiang Mai University collaborated with the Thai Elephant Association and the government to create a mobile multi-purpose clinic: a truck that can be converted in minutes into a field clinic, or used to transport severe cases to one of Thailand’s four elephant hospitals.

However, getting the health force to reach remote areas may still take days. This is considered one of the limitations of elephant farming in rural areas instead of in tourist sites where care services are available.

In these villages, the majority of people often live in poverty, lacking the necessary resources to sustain these “giant” animals.

“I prefer to live here. It’s much more free here,” said Pongkavi Kwansaodaeng as he stroked Dumbo, one of his four elephants. “The elephants are happier here too. You can see it through their eyes and expressions. Here they have more time to mingle with nature.”

However, Pongkavi also admits that this paradise life may not last long. Before the pandemic broke out, Pongkavi worked in a tourist area and could earn 24,000 Baht (more than 17 million VND) in rent for an elephant a month.

Most of the money he saves is used to buy elephant food. But it is likely that this amount will be depleted in less than a year, although there are many opinions that Thailand will reopen international visitors in October to help revive the country’s tourism industry.

Theerapat, owner of Patara elephant farm near Chiang Mai city, said it currently receives only about 10 visitors a week, compared with 45 times per day before the pandemic. Despite being prized for how to raise and breed elephants, his farm is currently struggling to keep the remaining 40 elephants, compared with 81 pre-pandemic herds.

This elephant rancher had to use up his savings, borrow money, sell property and vehicles to continue his business. “During my heyday, I used to drive a modern sports car. Right now, I can only afford a 40-year old Range Rover,” Theerapat said.

Elephant tourism previously brought Thailand nearly 6 billion Baht per year, although difficulties still surround, but Mr. Theerapat believes that this is also an opportunity for elephant tourism to create some new reforms.

“We should not think of elephant tourism as a business, but see this as a way to help preserve and conserve this species. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an appropriate standard for the industry. This “, Mr. Theerapat stressed.

In its early days, elephant tourism was often “Disneylanded” with elephants kicking soccer balls, playing basketball, and performing circus-like games to attract tourists. Many farms also train elephants to learn to draw or play musical instruments. Several farms have been accused of exploiting elephant labor.

In response to criticism and calls for boycotts from animalists at home and abroad, some farm owners prevented visitors from riding elephants, restricting visitors from participating in activities such as elephant feeding. and shower.

But according to Mr. Theerapat, this is a misconception. Elephant riding is seen as daily exercise for this species, if this activity is not maintained, it is easy to cause overweight for elephants, or cause them to digestive problems and make them worse. Females become difficult to give birth, even die during childbirth.

Theerapat said that the elephant tourism industry is a solution to help prevent the extinction of the elephant population in Thailand, which owns the second largest number of elephants in Asia after Myanmar.

Releasing large numbers of elephants to no longer invested or relatively sensitive natural areas in Thailand would be difficult. Although they are able to return to the place where they were born, when falling into unemployment and lack of caregivers, house elephants find it difficult to survive on their own.

“Before, there were some people who wanted to quit elephant tourism. Now, maybe they have achieved their wish. But then what?”, Shrugged Mr. Theerapat. “Who will be responsible for the future of these elephants?”

Sapphire

According to Nikkei Asia