Australian hotels ‘on the road to recovery’
Australian hotels are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, according to data from Colliers International. Data from the firm indicates Queensland is a “bright light” in the country’s domestic tourism recovery, while Cairns saw the biggest spike in hotel bookings over the past month, up from 18% of the 2019 levels at the start of May to 54% by the end of June. Research also indicates that Darwin has experienced a doubling in hotel bookings over the past month, while Canberra continues to lead the major centers with strong gains in bookings each week, followed closely by Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.
Oyo cuts footprint, headcount in Japan
India-based Oyo Hotels is dramatically shrinking its footprint and headcount in Japan as bookings in the country plunge due to travel restrictions. The company has slashed its regional presence by closing offices in provincial centers Sapporo, Sendai, Nagano, Hiroshima and Omiya at the end of June, Chief Business Officer Ryota Tanozaki said. Oyo is also looking to downsize its Tokyo headquarters. The moves extend the company’s ongoing effort to downsize internationally as it adapts to a much smaller tourism industry in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Travel plan expected between Malaysia, Singapore
The reopening of borders between Malaysia and Singapore is expected to be made known as early as August, Malaysian foreign minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Monday. Hishammuddin added that ongoing discussions with his Singaporean counterparts consisted of proposed four traveling categories — which include more locally focused options, as well as options for citizens from both countries commuting daily and full border reopening.
Maldives to re-open borders for foreign tourists July 15
The Maldives has announced it will re-open its borders for international tourists starting July 15 after almost four months of closure imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19. In an address to the nation last week, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced that resorts and hotels located at uninhabited islands will be open starting July 15, while guest houses and hotels located at inhabited islands will reopen August 1. All passengers will have to submit a health declaration card upon arrival, completed onboard the aircraft. As per border health and aviation procedure, if a passenger shows any symptoms of the viral infection such as fever, cough or shortness of breath on the flight, the case will be put under notice of the Health Protection Agency.
New COVID-19 training guide
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has created an online resource to help hotels train their staffs on the enhanced safety and cleanliness guidelines. Developed in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), the course, “COVID-19 Precautions for Hotels,” was created in consultation with the AHLA’s Safe Stay Advisory Council and represents a united industry approach around the Safe Stay guidelines endorsed by all major U.S. hotel brands, hospitality associations in 50 states and Canada.
