Thailand's Lanta goes top-of-mind - Acts of goodness in Langkawi amid the pandemic - TTR Weekly
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VOL 44 • ISSUE 02 • 8-14 FEBRUARY 2021 NEWS FOR ASIA’S TRAVEL PLANNERS NEWS UPDATES at www.ttrweekly.com
Thailand’s Lanta goes
top-of-mind
Acts of goodness in
STB cautious on Langkawi amid the Can vaccine passports
recovery timeframe pandemic end quarantine?
1-7 February 2021
STB cautious on
recovery timeframe
Singapore’s tourism sector will continue standing attractions, 270 hotels, at a standstill, domestic
tapped domestic demand together with our industry and 1,686 tour itineraries demand became critical
while supporting national partners to prepare for have received approval to to support tourism
efforts against Covid-19, recovery and to start resume operations. businesses. In July 2020,
but 2021 recovery will be building a better and more From November 2020, STB, Enterprise Singapore
slow. sustainable future for Singapore also piloted and Sentosa Development
tourism.” cruises with enhanced Corporation rolled out
Singapore’s visitor arrivals safety protocols and the SingapoRediscovers
fell by 85.7 in 2020 to Battling Covid-19 no ports of call for campaign to rally locals
reach 2.7 million visitors Hotels and tourism two of Singapore’s to support tourism
(nearly all from the first businesses played a key homeported cruise lines businesses and promote
two months of 2020), role in Singapore’s battle – Genting Cruise Lines hidden gems and
while tourism receipts against Covid-19. Hotels and Royal Caribbean experiences in Singapore.
declined by 78.4% to offered their properties for International. To rebuild As of 31 December
SGD4.4 billion in the first various accommodation consumer confidence 2020, there were 1,145
three quarters of 2020. purposes, including and demand for cruises, promotions offered by 213
In its year-end review Government Quarantine STB established the merchants.
posted online this week, Facilities, Swab Isolation world’s first CruiseSafe To complement the
Singapore Tourism Board Facilities and Stay-Home Certification – a SingapoRediscovers
concedes 2020 was the Notice Dedicated Facilities mandatory audit and campaign, STB launched
toughest year on record, (SDFs). More than 70 certification programme the SGD320 million
but its tourism sector hotels have served as for cruise lines before SingapoRediscovers
took strides to reimagine SDFs at various points in they commence sailing. Vouchers (SRV) scheme
offerings and experiences since March 2020. As of As of 31 December 2020, in December 2020. As
while supporting 31 December 2020, SDFs 33 cruises carrying over of 1 January 2021, over
nationwide efforts to have accommodated more 42,000 passengers have 300,000 Singaporeans
tackle the Covid-19 than 80,000 Persons on been completed with had used the SRV scheme
pandemic. Stay-Home Notice, with no reported incidents of to make bookings
Singapore Tourism the support of over 2,300 Covid-19 transmission on with Singapore hotels,
Board chief executive frontline workers in the board. attractions and tours,
Keith Tan pledged: “While hotel industry. spending SGD35.9 million
mass international travel Domestic tourism a in SRV redemptions and
is unlikely to resume in a Reopening tourism safely lifesaver out-of-pocket payments.
major way in 2021, STB As of 25 January 2021, 45 With international travel
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1-7 February 2021
Can vaccine passports
end quarantine?
More proposals to fast track around the world printing given a vaccine passport in the form
tourism recovery focus on ending certificates of entry, fit-to-fly letters of a QR code, and Denmark is also
quarantine, but will jab passports and even false PCR test results moving ahead with a similar system
do the trick that look pretty authentic with all that will enable travel.” The UK is
the right boxes ticked. In London, considering an app, but like all the
Thailand’s Minister of Tourism is they sell the bogus certificates proposals, there are security and
lobbying hard to allow vaccinated with impunity at the entrances fraud concerns. So even if Thailand’s
tourists to visit the country without Minister of
a 14-day quarantine. Tourism succeeds
He talks about getting the the chances of
measure approved by April or May countries having
and that once in place it could spell certificates
recovery for Thailand with tourist available and
arrivals lifting off from ground zero enough vaccinated
to between 5 to 10 million by the citizens ready
end of the year. travel by April is
But for Thailand accepting slim indeed. If
tourists who have been vaccinated jab certification
is one matter while travellers having is the solution, it
reliable proof they have received would be better to
the required jabs and are now join international
immune to SARS-CoV-19 virus is an efforts to
entirely different matter. introduce a single
The big push globally focuses recognisable
on countries recognising a vaccine immunisation
certificate or passport and how to certificate or
distribute them, either through an passport accepted
app or in print, to those who have of Heathrow’s terminal buildings by the World Health Organisation’s
been vaccinated. according to a recent BBC report. member countries.
Printing of millions of blank There’s plenty of scepticism on Statista reports that “early efforts
certificates even to just cover the subject. Public health experts to secure vaccine candidates, quick
those who intend to travel and raise concerns because vaccinated approval progress by authorities
have a passport would be an people may still spread the virus. and effective infrastructure for
expensive task. For a soft (app) It would also penalise those who administration, means governments
or hard certification (print) object to vaccination leading to a are already racing ahead in their
to be trustworthy, it would form of social discrimination. efforts to start mass vaccination
require a single recognised For obvious reasons, tourist against Covid-19.
and internationally approved destinations like Spain, Greece, “Website ‘Our World in Data’,
template, just like our passports. Portugal and Cyprus would support keeps tabs on the jabs and its
As for the minister’s timeline, we the vaccine certification push. On findings show that Israel leads
might ask. How long will it take the other hand, France, which has the race to reach the 60 to 70%
for governments to accept that experienced higher levels of vaccine threshold needed to suppress
vaccinated travellers can cross scepticism has already rejected the the spread of Covid-19. As of late
borders without quarantine? idea, ABC News reported last week. January, Israel administered 54.72
How long will it take to have in It reported that “Cyprus would doses per 100 citizens, some 4.7
place jab certificates that comply abolish quarantine rules for million. That is the highest rate
with a recognised template to travellers, if they were vaccinated, of Covid-19 vaccination so far,
demonstrate they are genuine? by March. In Poland, citizens who considerably more than second-
Already there are fraudsters receive a second jab will soon be placed UAE’s 33.7 doses per 100.
1-7 February 2021
Thailand’s Lanta goes
top-of-mind
From face mask to snorkelling mask, Delightfully Exotic Island, Pristine From urban clutter to
Thailand’s Koh Lanta is a destination Beaches, Turquoise Blue Ocean, clarity of nature
that is ready to welcome guests Krabi, Andaman Coast, and South Lanta’s geography is typically
safely as we head for a post- Thailand. mangroves; coral-rimmed beaches;
Covid-19 era and those vaccines In South Thailand on the coast and tree-covered hills which allow
kick-in. of the Andaman Sea Lanta Island is visitors to enjoy outdoor activities
We are still experiencing severe
disruption caused by the Covid-19
pandemic and the pain of social
distancing to varying degrees
depending on our lifestyle and
family connections, but we have
seen the light at the end of the
tunnel. Vaccine programmes
are rolling out and travel to our
favourite destinations will resume
soon. For now, we wait and see or
muse over the making of a travel
wish-list. But there is a growing
sense of hope that the vaccine
rollout and more robust testing pre-
flight will signal that 2021 will be a
emerging as a destination that fits and be embraced by nature.
the keywords. Choices of ecotourism activities to
Lanta’s travel season usually enjoy at Koh Lanta include diving,
starts early October, while the snorkelling, kayaking, birdwatching,
favourite time for holiday-goers to and trekking. Choose one or do it all
visit the island’s exquisite beaches to pay off what you’ve been through
runs from November to March. during the time you’re being stuck
Since 1 July 2020, Mu Koh at home.
Lanta National Park remained
turning point; the big comeback for partially open for visitors to enjoy
international travel. its undisturbed natural scenery of
Face mask to snorkelling
Today, choosing a destination Laem Tanot (Tanot Cape) at the mask
for your next trip might still southeast end of the island. All the Though the face mask is a travel
be complicated and involve visitors were Thais and expatriates essential on arrival on Koh Lanta,
restrictions, but research shows living in Thailand, but that will you are more likely to be wearing
that top-of-mind are holiday change in 2021 as vaccines come a snorkelling mask to explore the
themes that evolve from keywords: into play and rules governing travel island’s marine habitats at the time
Sea-Sun-Sand, Unspoiled Nature, ease. when ecosystem returned to its
1-7 February 2021
flights, ferries and land transfers.
For those who decide to travel
by car, you board the car ferry
operating from the mainland to Koh
Lanta Noi at Baan Hua Hin, located
around 75 km from Krabi town.
Once on Koh Lanta Noi, you take a
short drive to the bridge that spans
the channel between Lanta Noi and
Lanta Yai where most of the travel
attractions and resorts are located.
Airline passengers can pre-book a
shuttle minivan services from Krabi
Airport to Koh Lanta with the Bus
Co-operative of Krabi. But you may
prefer to take a ferry from Krabi
best recovery due to the absence
of human activities in the recent
months.
From laptop screen to
sunset scenery
It is the right time to let the pristine
natural beach scenery to relieve
your eye strain from hours of staring
at mobile, tablet or laptop screens.
Koh Lanta offers perfect spots to
view the beautiful sunset over the
sea from all nine beaches which
lie along its 30 km-long north-to-
south coastlines. Famous beaches
on Koh Lanta include Kantiang Bay,
Klong Dao, Klong Khong, Phra Ae town’s Chao Pha Pier, located about
and Khlong Nin. Let the sand be From food delivery 13km from Krabi Airport. During
your seat, and enjoy the panoramic services to local food the high season, from November
sunset views.
treats to May, the ferry usually operates
Seafood is probably the best two services daily. The 50-km
From teleconference to choice when dining on the island. ferry trip to Baan Saladan Pier on
Koh Lanta Yai takes two hours.
local experience Koh Lanta is packed with seafood
Travellers transferring from Phuket
Enough of Zoom, Skype, WebEx restaurants from five-star to homely
shoreline shacks that mesmerize join the ferry at the Rassada Pier.
Meeting, LINE Conference calls, or
you with their culinary talent. There are two daily services on the
any teleconference activities. Leave
Whether it is a hammock-and- Phuket-Phi Phi-Koh Lanta route.
your laptop in the room and go out
cocktail BBQ dinner style or a fancy Due to the Covid-19, it is necessary
to interact with locals. Koh Lanta is
dinner style at a private resort to double-check the operator’s
home to a multicultural community
where famed chefs serve seafood schedule before planning the trip.
with groups of sea gipsy, Thai-
fusion dishes crafted with western The new normal may take more
Chinese, and Thai-Muslims who have
and local gastronomic traditions, time to navigate but the day is fast
lived together in peace and harmony
there are no poor choices when coming when you will once more
for hundreds of years. Visitors will
seafood is on your menu during a be checking in at a beach resort
be able to experience sea gipsy
stay on Koh Lanta. and posting your seafood photos on
traditions and ancient trade histories
Instagram.
at the Old Lanta Town dating back
hundreds of years. How to get there
To reach Lanta the choices are Click for full report.
1-7 February 2021
Acts of goodness in
Langkawi amid the
pandemic
Langkawi’s communities go the the frontlinerswho constantly face “Good Tickets valid for entrance to
extra mile to show appreciation for pandemic challenges. attractions on the island are also
medical frontliners and extend a distributed along with the essential
helping hand to residents in need Tailoring for the heroes food items. These community
Forty-eight tailors from around efforts are ongoing and reflect
One thing we have learned from Langkawi joined forces to sew PPE Langkawi’s caring spirit for residents
the pandemic is that kindness for medical use at Hospital Sultanah and visitors staying on the island
still prevails in challenging times, Maliha and Klinik Kesihatan Kuah. during a time of crisis.
and it is evident on Malaysia’s top
holiday island Langkawi where the Y-Connect Foodbank Project
communities are supporting each This community-led initiative
other. distributes food to families in need.
Here is a compilation of kind Donors and volunteers joined
souls in Langkawi who spread love hands since last October to give
through actions even during the out necessities like rice, canned
Covid-19pandemic. food, cooking oil and more. They
have also travelled to Tuba Island, a
Lunches for medical smaller island off Langkawi, to hand
personnel out supplies.
During the nation-wide Movement
Control Order, Langkawi They did not know each other Food Bank Chenang
Development Authority (LADA) before this venture, which is an Formed by Chenang Volunteer (a
joined forces with the office of initiative mooted by Madam local NGO), in collaboration with
Norhayati Hassan through her The Cabin Langkawi, this food bank
Facebook page thatdrew everyone project receives donated food from
together. Madam Long Lee Ket the public. It redistributes food
offered space at her tailor’s shop for packages to the needy around
other tailors on the island to team Langkawi, especially those who
up and start sewing. In total, they work in the tourism Industry. Since
have made 500 pieces of full suited early November 2020, they have
PPE which they donated to the been stationed in front of The Cabin
hospital and clinic. Langkawi from 10 am to 10 pm,
handing out food parcels.
The Good Campaign
Langkawi
A project that first started last May,
involves a community group on the
island that gives food packages to
Member of Parliament and other locals and stranded tourists. A lot
NGOs to support medicalfrontliners of hotel workers, part-time tour
at the hospital. Together, they operators and foreign residents and
provided free lunchesfor 200 long-stay visitors have lost their
hospital personnel. Although it was source of income. Through public
a small token of appreciation, they donations, the group has given out
hope that this act will motivate more than 2,000 food hampers.
The Best Tropical
Karst Island
in the World
Naturally Inspired: Langkawi
1-7 February 2021
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