Travel

How COVID-19 impacted travelling around the world

Published

3 years ago

January 28, 2021

The outbreak of COVID-19 has triggered the immobility of people throughout the world. The travel industry is one of the worst-hit economies. This is not shocking because, in 2019, an unprecedented 1.5 billion visitors toured the world compared to other years. The epidemic and its rapid spread across the world resulted in significant disruption to the industry. Travellers had to seek up-to-date information and safety details before deciding on their next stops. The coronavirus catastrophe has warped international travel schedules from spring breaks to summer vacations, the lockdown policies keeping many people worldwide at home during prime periods for travel.

Tourism and travel restriction and closure of borders.

Countries across the world imposed travel bans to prevent the transmission of coronavirus. Airport bans, termination of flights to and from local and international airports, and national lockdowns are only a few of the steps being enforced by nations to combat the pandemic. After the outbreak exploded in the first two quarters of 2020, 93 percent of the world’s population resided in areas affected by the coronavirus. In addition, around 3 billion residents living in countries affected had to adhere to the imposed full international border closures.

The impact of COVID-19 on travel

The COVID-19 outbreak has had an extraordinary effect on travel and tourism. Everybody had to adhere to the government’s border controls to attempt to suppress the novel coronavirus spread in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas since March 2020. The United States is currently the globe’s most critically affected region, with more than 24.3 million confirmed cases and 402,000 deaths. At the height of the contagion, the USA banned only those nationalities from entering the US, unlike Australia, which permitted only its people and inhabitants to enter the country. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control considered that boundary closures against transmission of COVID-19 were unsuccessful. To minimize the adverse effect of coronavirus on European economies and regional social lives, the European Union (EU) states aimed to enable travel within the Schengen zone.

The economic effect of COVID-19

In the world economy, travel and tourism play a prominent part. The travel market perspective estimates worldwide market revenue to be approximately USD 447.4 billion for 2020, which is 34.7% less than the figures recorded in 2019. The travel sector contributes up to 10% to the EU economy. Consequently, in the otherwise high summer seasons from June to August, this percentage drastically decreased by up to seven percent across the globe. Furthermore, the virus risks millions of people losing their jobs, especially those in the tour and travel sector or the airline sector.

Hospitality Sector Hit by the Lockdown

The ongoing lockdown and travel restrictions have also impacted the hospitality industry. This sector is intertwined with the travel sector and shares almost even difficulties. In comparison to the first-quarter statistics for 2020 to those of 2019, the global hospitality market research firm, STR Inc., shows that the hotel occupancy rate decreased in Germany by 96 percent, 68 percent in China, 67 percent in the United Kingdom, and 59 percent in the United States, while Singapore rates dropped by 48 percent. The pandemic and the downturn have severely hit the hotel sector. The STR Inc. compared the United States’ statistics for hospitality between 9 May 2020 and 11 May 2019, and the leading hospitality performance indices reported a sharp fall in occupancy by 55.9 percent to stand at $30.1. On the other hand, the average daily rate (ADR) decreased by 42.1 percent to $76.35, while the revenues by room accessible (RevPAR) decreased by 74.4 percent to $22.95.

Macau travel ban and gaming industry being affected by COVID-19

In addition to government actions and small casino activities, the effect of COVID-19 on the gambling sector in Macao has disrupted the gambling industry. At the start of the coronavirus epidemic in China, Macau was alert and prepared for the outbreak. This was because, after the extreme acute respiratory syndrome outbreak (SARS) in 2003, the Government of Macau and the wider community took protective initiatives to maintain public health protection, and these were applicable for the impending danger of COVID-19. Abiding by these and other globally established regulations, Macau was able to remarkably and efficiently contain movement by ensuring a careful compromise with public health and economic demands.

Macau’s casinos had to shut down for 14-days in February. After consideration, the government permitted them to reopen their doors by 20th February if they met the new requirements. Americans seeking to travel to Macau have to conform to the travel disruptions and follow the Macao Health Code. Additionally, you cannot enter Macau unless you hold citizenship from Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Mainland China and have not gone to other places in the last two weeks. Other policies could be relaxed for people from foreign places to travel to Macau, even if they come from areas that have reported COVID-19 cases.

The pandemic and extensive shutdowns in Macau have dented the market. In particular, compulsory regulation mechanisms, including cross-border travel limits, compulsory inbound passenger quarantine, and corporate closures, have detrimental effects on Macau and its casinos and other gaming spots, which are strongly dependent on patronage by Chinese tourists. Moreover, Macau casinos have halved their ability to conform to the rules on social distances. Notwithstanding these severe limitations, Macau casinos operated closely along with government-mandated anti-coronavirus initiatives.

Canadian Online Casino

With the ongoing COVID-19 challenges, the Canadian casinos have embraced iGaming technologies to improve their servicing coverage. Canadiancasino.org focuses on offering its Canadian players exceptional online casinos. Here, Canadian gambling experts and enthusiasts provide different guides and reviews of different casinos. The details consist of casino operation assessments, their security, licensing, deposit channels, game selection, and customer services that make them amongst the best casinos to enlist.

Travel way forward

Travel will certainly not be the same, especially with the changes in travel experiences that will be implemented. Most governments seek non-contact travel, with the inclusion of remote check-in, luggage drop-offs, digital payment systems, and biographical/digital identity. Other changes would also include the screening of health status through thermal detectors, sprays for disinfection, and COVID-19 on-site checks. Other changes that will be around for a long time include social distancing and hygienic issues like limits on access to airports, the obligatory wearing of masks, and on-going disinfection. Additionally, recent advancements limited business travel as well as travel to exotic destinations. Even though time alone will tell which speculations are to come true, the coronavirus outbreak will certainly alter our travels.

Travel

Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes More Canadians as Air Canada Adds New Flights

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2022

TOCaribNews

St. John’s, Antigua – The dual-island destination of Antigua & Barbuda is seeing an uptick in Canadian traffic just in time for the winter travel season. Beginning today, October 8th, a new offering of flights from Air Canada is expected to help realize a recovery to pre-pandemic airlift levels in the Canadian market.

The Air Canada flight arrived this afternoon carrying 106 passengers from Toronto and the aircraft was given a welcome back water cannon salute. Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers and music and small token welcome gifts.

“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”

As noted, the rollout of the new service begins today with a single direct flight weekly from Toronto (YYZ) to St. John’s (ANU). Service will continue to ramp up to meet the traditional demand of the holiday season, with Air Canada forecasting the eventual operation of five weekly flights at peak traffic.

Travellers from Montreal looking to fly south for the winter can look forward to once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning December 23rd.

The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry. While a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low, visitors are still encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather. You can read the latest travel advisory here.

“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said Mr. James. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”

Travel

Gambling Regulations In Canada And The Caribbean: What You Need To Know

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2022

TOCaribNews

There are several trusted licensing authorities that oversee land-based and online gambling in the Caribbean, and in Canada, it’s all overseen in each province by the local provincial government. You also have the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is situated on an Indian land reserve in Quebec.

This trusted licensing authority is independent of Canada, and it’s part of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory government. At one time, it was the licensing authority in the whole of North America, prior to US states regulating online casino gambling. Here is a look at gambling regulations in Canadian and the Caribbean and what you need to know as a player.

Are online casinos in Canada licensed by the Canadian government?

In Canada, gambling at online casinos is legal, and the gambling operator that’s based in that province must be licensed by the local provincial government’s licensing agency. For example, in Ontario, gambling is monitored and regulated by iGaming Ontario, which is a subsidiary of AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario).

In other words, to legally operate an online casino in Ontario, an operator must have first obtained a license from iGaming Ontario. However, there’s still nothing stopping a foreign operator that’s based outside of Canadian borders from aiming their business toward Ontario citizens because they fall outside of Canadian jurisdiction. One of the other major licensing authorities that has issued licenses to hundreds of online casinos is the previously mentioned Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Because the regulation and licensing of online casinos and other similar real money gambling sites is still relatively new in Canada, it’s why you will see that many of today’s best Ontario casino sites are licensed outside of Canada, by one or more other reputable licensing authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, or the Malta Gaming Authority.

How is online gambling regulated in the Caribbean?

There are several different gambling regulators/licensing authorities in the Caribbean, but these are often referred to as ‘rubber stamp’ licensing authorities. For example, you have the Directorate of Offshore Gaming in Antigua and Barbuda, the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority in the Anjouan and Comoros Islands, and the Curaçao Ministry of Justice in Curaçao (the former Netherlands Antilles).

While not all online casinos that have obtained a license from one of these authorities can be classed as ‘rogue casinos’, the best thing to do would be to stick to playing at the sites that are licensed either by a provincial Canadian government licensing authority or by one of the others mentioned above (e.g., by the UK Gambling Commission – one of the most trusted online gambling regulators in the world).

Why sign up to a casino that’s licensed by a provincial Canadian government or the Malta Gaming Authority?

These reputable authorities don’t just hand out a license to any old operator that has the cash to buy one. They heavily vet their licensees and carry out the necessary due diligence prior to issuing a license. They have the best legal framework in place, and they only license the most trusted operators. Should an issue arise at a casino that’s licensed in one of these jurisdictions (which is highly unlikely), you would have the proper legal backing that you, as a player, deserve. In other words, your complaint or issue will not go unanswered and will be resolved within a relatively short period of time.

Travel

11 Fun Vacation Ideas That Will Keep You Entertained

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2022

TOCaribNews

When it comes to taking a vacation, many people think they need to go somewhere exotic to have a good time. This is not always the case! Plenty of fun vacation ideas will keep you entertained without breaking the bank. This blog post will discuss 11 different vacations you can take without spending a lot of money. So whether you are looking for an adventure or want to relax on the beach, we have you covered!

Hiking and camping

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, hiking and camping are great options. There are many trails all over the world that you can explore. And if you camp in an RV or tent, it will be even cheaper! This is a great way to get in touch with nature and see fantastic sights.

Try your hand at gambling

Gambling doesn’t always mean going to a casino—there are many different ways to gamble, and not all require money. You can play card games or bet on sports games with friends. You may wager on sports, horse races, and other events from anywhere with just a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. You should give it a chance now that single-game betting in Ontario is legal in different provinces. Numerous online betting firms provide bonuses and incentives, and the whole idea of gambling is to have fun.

Visit a national park

Another excellent option for those who love the outdoors is to visit a national park. There are parks throughout the United States and in many other countries. This is a great way to see some of the most beautiful places on earth without spending a lot of money. Many parks offer free or discounted admission days, so check out before going.

Take a road trip

A road trip is another great vacation idea that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can explore different parts of your country or even take an international trip! Just be sure to plan your route and budget accordingly. And don’t forget to pack snacks and games for the car ride.

Have a staycation

If you are short on time or money, a staycation is always an option. This is where you spend your vacation at home or in a nearby city. There are many things to do on a staycation, such as visiting local attractions, going out to eat, and seeing movies. You can also use this time to relax at home and catch up on some much-needed rest.

Take an art class

One fun activity you can do on vacation is taking an art class. This is a great way to try something new and connect with your creative side. You can find classes for all different types of art, such as painting, pottery, and photography. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a museum

Museums are another great option for those who want to learn on vacation. There are museums for different topics, such as history, art, and science. Many museums also offer discounts or free days, so be sure to check that out before you go.

See a live show

Seeing a live show is an excellent option if you are looking for some entertainment on vacation. Depending on your interests, you can see a play, musical, or concert. This is a great way to experience some cultures and see something new.

Visit a theme park

Theme parks are always a popular vacation destination. And there are many different ones to choose from all over the world. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun at a theme park. There are often discounts and promotions available if you plan ahead.

Take a cooking class

One last fun vacation idea is taking a cooking class. This is a great way to learn about new cuisines and get some hands-on experience in the kitchen. You can find cooking classes for all different types of food, such as Italian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a winery

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, visiting a winery is a great option. You can spend your days touring different vineyards, sampling wines, and learning about the wine-making process. And many wineries offer discounts or complimentary tastings if you visit during certain times of the year.

These are just a few of the many fun vacation ideas that you can try. So get out there and start exploring! And don’t forget to have fun!