China faces an economic reckoning as Covid-19 turns world against globalisation

One of the more worrying consequences of the coronavirus is that it looks likely to become a catalyst for deglobalisation.

At the centre of this will be the decoupling of the Chinese economy with developed economies and the US in particular. The world’s three largest free economies – the European Union, the United States and Japan – are all drawing up separate plans to lure their companies out of China.

European Union trade commissioner Phil Hogan has called on companies to consider […]

Interesting read on how cruise lines dealt with and contributed to the fast spreading around the world of Covid-19

The Apex was nearly finished. A brand new cruise ship for the Celebrity Cruises line, it was a towering, 117,000-ton vessel with luxuries like a “resort deck” featuring martini-glass-shaped jacuzzis and a movable platform cantilevered off the side – known as “the Magic Carpet” – to be used as an outdoor restaurant. As the builders put the finishing touches to it, the company held parties for crew and contractors, even as the rest of the world was shutting down to […]

Get ready for post-corona air travel: It won’t be much fun

SINGAPORE – Aviation commentators are painting a grim picture of air travel once the Covid-19 virus has been beaten into submission.

Get ready for four-hour check-in times. Passenger disinfection tunnels. Thermal scanners. Facemasks onboard aircraft. And cabin crew dressed in full personal protection gear.

Most likely, your meal– if there is one – will come in a disposable sealed cardboard box. Forget the drinks service. And the airline magazine in the seat pocket will be a thing of the past.

Already, new stricter […]

Bali’s guides left without tourists to guide

DENPASAR – The plight of hotel workers and tour guides in Bali is worsening as total flight bans across Indonesia impact both domestic and international tourism.

In the first 20 days of April less than 600  foreigners were processed through Ngurah Rai Denpasar airport. These mainly comprised ship and airline crews, diplomats and permanent residents.

Tour guides have been especially badly hit with an estimated 5,000 of them now out of work and without income.

Speaking to Kompas.com, the chairman of the Bali […]

Time to fly? Yes, say these airlines

HONG KONG – Whether we are chomping at the bit to get back on a plane, or cautiously letting other travellers be early adopters, it is a good sign for Asia that airlines are gradually planning to get back  into the sky.

China was first out of the blocks to open domestic flights, and according to a survey 53% of first-tier city dwellers are planning international travel.

August, October and December are the most popular months so far and 71% of travellers […]

Elephants starve as tourism comes to a standstill

The World Elephant Foundation (WEF) has launched the Save the Asian Elephant campaign to raise funds and awareness of the mammals’ plight amid lockdowns, as elephants in shelters and parks throughout Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos face starvation as tourism dries up.

The crux of the matter lies in the fact that the elephant shelters and parks rely on tourism for revenue. WEF intends to set up a registry for rescue organisations and sanctuaries to indicate their numbers and needs. This […]