When and where to travel again
I have been in conversation with LegCo members, officials, airlines, hoteliers, and tourism boards the world over. As the travel industry makes plans for reopening it should be stressed that travel is still quite unfeasible, because of quarantines, both outbound and inbound, inconveniences and the difficulties to forecast the pandemic situation in the future.
Restrictions Status Heard on the Grapevine
In Hong Kong, Secretary Sophia Chan said on Tuesday that a mechanism would be introduced to allow for the gradual relaxation of compulsory quarantine requirements for arrivals from specific countries. This opens the possibility of Hong Kong people being able to travel to and from some destinations free or restrictions, without having to wait until September 18, which is the current end date of the quarantine framework.
From talking with officials in the region, it is possible that the first destination that may become viable is Vietnam, which may soon issue visas for Hongkongers. Hotels are soft-opening in Thailand, as the local hotelier industry is hoping for a come back in late July or August, although Thai authorities have said we should look to the last quarter of 2020.
The Maldives government is working full steam on a reopening plan. A governmental task force with stakeholders has drafted the guidelines for restarting tourism in the Maldives. It may be one of the first places in the region to be accessible. The Government of Seychelles has included Hong Kong in a list of countries at the lowest end of the risk scale, authorising arrivals into the country, although at least until the end of June, with a quarantine system.
So-called Travel Bubbles will be the first step towards reopening travel. China, which has already established a business corridor with South Korea, is set to expand its bubble to include Hong Kong and Macau.
You might have seen Cathay Pacific announcement that by end of June will increase capacity and frequency to Asian destinations.
No words on other plans of lifting restrictions in other Asian countries or around the world.
The good news is that I have negotiated unprecedented flexibility
Blueflower is taking a leadership role in the industry to shift towards a new model for the post-COVID era, one that accounts for flexibility, financial soundness, health and sanitation, and meaning.
My main task for the return of travel has been negotiating flexibility with many choice properties, well beyond industry standards, so that Blueflower clients may book with peace of mind.
Consider the following to place a cancellable reservation
The Bensley Collection in Cambodia, which includes two gorgeous properties that naturally favour privacy and are offering no-penalty cancellation or postponement for any COVID-related disruption. At Soneva Fushi, one of our favourite Maldives resorts, full refund is now available for cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival. The same applies for all Resplendent Ceylon properties, our hotels of choice in Sri Lanka, such as Tea Trails and Wild Coast Tented Lodge. Jamtara, a spellbinding camp in tiger country, is also offering full flexibility, as it is owned by my friend Amit Sankhala.
While allowing last-minute cancellations would be ideal, for some properties it is unfeasible. However, we have devised mechanisms to allow Blueflower travellers to book with confidence. Time + Tide, who own some of the best camps in Zambia and one of my favourite places on Earth, Miavana in Madagascar, are offering an extended hold policy; if the dates are contested, they can be secured with a small deposit; should there be COVID-related disruption, then postponement until late 2021 is possible. Singita, some of the top lodges in South Africa and Rwanda, will offer a full refund up to 60 days before arrival. Furthermore, all deposits are escrowed, a policy also being adopted by Quasar Expeditions, whose cruises in the Galapagos are one of a kind, such as the M/Y Grace.
Obviously, to make it into our new portfolio, properties need to have strict sanitation protocols that also do not detract from the experience.
Perhaps less obvious, as there are still many challenges to travel, is my belief that we should go to places that mean something, that have integrity and respect for local communities and nature; that espouse our values of beauty and sustainability, in short, to travel with purpose.
What our favourite properties are doing to protect your health
At the very minimum, our favourite properties are implementing their respective government recommendations and guidelines. However, ad hoc measures will be adopted to increase safety and confidence. For example, Gangtey Lodge in Bhutan benefits from the country’s tourism policies which limit the number of outside visitors. Bhutan also restricted travel early and did not develop community transmission; furthermore, Gangtey Lodge will be operating at reduced occupancy and screen all staff every single day. Zenagi in Japan, Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia and Bulgari Resort in Bali are also implementing daily monitoring of their staff.
Some exclusive properties are taking advantage of their isolated location; for example, Island Escape in Thailand will monitor any visitor to their island, both guests and staff, even making testing kits available for incoming guests. Nay Palad Hideaway in the Philippines have quarantined their whole 72-strong team, guaranteeing that they are COVID-free.
Social distancing, which plays a role in prevention, will also be implemented by most properties. Staff will wear masks, hotels will be operating at reduced occupancy, hand sanitizer will be readily available and thorough cleaning of common areas will be scheduled many times each day.
Will the sanitation measures affect the experience?
One important aspect to watch for is that the new norms and measures do not detract from the experience. We have seen some overzealous hotels inadvertently turn their holiday experience all about COVID safety, making it a bit stressful. To get it right is not simple.
On the best practice side, let us look at Aman, who by offering Immune Support Retreats, are creating the right environment for relaxation and promoting health in a sustainable way. In particular, Amanemu in Japan, Amanpuri in Thailand and Amanoi in Vietman. We have a special relationship with Aman properties which means through Blueflower you can get the best terms and rates.
Those properties that are in privileged locations and have immediate access to natural landmarks and national parks will be obvious choices, such as Zenagi in Japan, and Shinta Mani Wild, from the Bensley Collection in Cambodia.
Promising places to consider outside Asia, possibly just placing a cancellable reservation at the moment
While it is still very uncertain whether countries will reopen their borders to leisure travellers according to plan, some destinations are eyeing July to allow international visitors once again.
New Zealand and Australia are two destinations to keep in mind, especially if the Tasman Corridor travel bubble is successful. New Zealand, with its approach to nature and adventure travel, should be a top-of-the-list destination for those wishing to travel during late 2020 and early 2021. At Blueflower, we have close connections with many luxury lodges and New Zealand Tourism.
Iceland is taking the lead and will be welcoming international visitors starting 15 June. What’s the catch? You need to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in lieu of a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Those arrivals testing positive will be required to self-quarantine.
As for Europe, Italy will allow international leisure travel as of 3 June. However, only Schengen, and other European countries are included in this provision. We will know more on 14 June. Spain will also reopen its borders for leisure travellers in July. For Italy, we have negotiated unparalleled flexibility with Sikelia in the lovely and remote island of Pantelleria, and a handful of boutique hotels in the mysterious region of Irpinia and many others.