Month: February 2023

The pandemic cost destinations worldwide a combined $270 billion in Chinese outbound tourist spending in 2020 and 2021 alone.

Leading a high-level delegation to the city of Hangzhou to join in the official re-opening, UNWTO Secretary-General warmly welcomed the lifting of travel restrictions as a major boost to economic growth and social opportunity both in Asia and the Pacific and globally.

According to UNWTO data, the pandemic cost destinations worldwide a combined US$270 billion in Chinese outbound tourist spending in 2020 and 2021 alone. The re-opening of borders therefore represents “the moment the world has been waiting for”, Mr Pololikashvili noted. Read More

The U.S. Travel Association is calling on the Biden administration to enhance efforts to boost international visitation to the U.S. amid a declining trade surplus.

Citing new data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the organization points out that the trade surplus dropped to just $4 billion last year, down from an all-time high of $85.9 billion in 2015.

In response, U.S. Travel is now calling for urgent federal action to rebuild inbound travel and reverse the disconcerting trade surplus trend. Read More

The cargo and logistics division of Etihad Airways, Etihad Cargo, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Astral Aviation to expand the partnership between the two parties and enhance the cooperation between the regions of Abu Dhabi and Nairobi, further growing Etihad Cargo’s reach into the African market.

This latest agreement builds on Astral Aviation’s expanding partnership with Abu Dhabi, which will see Astral Aviation operating more flights to the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) capital, supported by Etihad Cargo. Read More

Some African countries have surpassed pre-covid arrival numbers and revenue levels

The return of Chinese tourists to Africa and a full resumption of operations on international routes by African airlines are the latest indicators of a rebounding tourism industry, badly hit by the covid-19 pandemic two years ago.

China has picked three African countries—Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa—among 20 across the globe for piloting outbound group tours, nearly a month after lifting travel restrictions. Read More