Message from PATA CEO

3 Topics Have Been Recurring

Dear PATA Members and Industry Colleagues,

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of news and activities. Three topics have been recurring for me in meetings, conversations and events. A) the complexities of travel reopening, B) vaccine equity, and C) women and their role in a sustainable travel recovery.

First, in the world of omicron versus travel - it has been a period of mixed messages and cautious optimism. A spate of markets across Asia-Pacific announced their imminent easing of travel restrictions and border requirements (each to varying degrees and specifics). In the backdrop, the region is experiencing the Omicron-fueled tidal wave of cases which started late last year in Western nations.

Each market is weighing this through their filters of cultural norms, politics, economics, and resources. I'm observing an easing to a more risk-based approach here in Singapore and some other markets. For PATA, we'll continue to seek ways to support expediting and smoothing the openings.

This past week, both SKIFT and TTG approached me to speak about PATA's advocacy for vaccine equity and its importance in driving a global recovery. As noted in the SKIFT article and TTG Interview, with the demand for boosters, the challenge of getting vaccines to low income /less developed nations get heightened. The pandemic isn't over until it's over everywhere.

And lastly, I've been frequently approached this past week on the topic of Women in Travel. Our industry in this region is comprised of 60% women and, since they predominate the front-line service roles, have been disproportionately among the hardest hit with the industry downturn. We piloted an Informal Workers Support Project in Thailand providing health and safety and business advisory to 500 individuals in this most impacted segment. We would love to see this replicated across the region so would welcome any sponsors for this.

The current situation is complex but please know that as PATA we're working to identify and develop every bright spot we can to best support our members and the industry at large in emerging stronger and better.

Best regards, LIz

Read More: https://www.pata.org/blog/travel-reoening-vaccine-equity-and-women-in-travel-industry

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Are you a travel advisor, member of the travel trade or travel media?

The Friday Travel Trade Summit @ The New York Travel & Adventure Show is ready to welcome you with a comprehensive overview of the industry that’s designed with you in mind. Click here for more information!

Come see us at Booth 402, PATA New York

Health & Safety Protocols: TAS The Travel & Adventure Show follows the guidance of state, local, and venue health guidelines. Vaccines and masks are no longer required in New York City. For more information, click here.

Face coverings are no longer required to enter the building.

NY PATA supported TAS in Washington DC which was the last in-person event pre-pandemic.

Higher Prices due to Surge in Price of Oil

Gasoline in NJ hit a high of $4.65 a gallon this week, up from $2.16 at the end of 2021, as the war in Ukraine continues to drive a surge in crude oil prices. The average price seen for gas was between $4.20 - $4.30 a gallon.

We can expect cost of air and cruise travel to increase too.

Alaska Airlines is the first U.S. mainline carrier to report that it is adjusting capacity due to the fuel price jump. It has cut its capacity outlook for the first half of this year by 3% to 5% less capacity compared with 2019.

Cruises: Meraviglia | Virgin Voyages | Wonder of the Seas

MSC Meraviglia Homeporting in New York

MSC Cruises announced plans today to bring the modern and glamorous MSC Meraviglia to the Big Apple to offer year-round cruises, homeporting at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal starting in April of 2023 and making it easier than ever for guests to enjoy the stunning beauty of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The announcement marks a significant milestone for MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand of the Cruise Division of MSC Group. https://mailchi.mp/d576e1e9015c/new-york-here-we-come?e=7994a592c0

Virgin Voyages revealed a fleet-wide partnership

with movie and music icon Jennifer Lopez.

Lopez has joined the cruise line as both Investor and Chief Entertainment & Lifestyle Officer. Virgin Voyages goes global this year with homeports in Miami, Barcelona and Athens.

Making its US debut in October 2021, Virgin Voyages is gearing up to welcome its second and third ships in an initial fleet of four. Valiant Lady sets sail in March, and Resilient Lady starts sailing in August.

Royal Caribbean Debuts Wonder of the Seas; World’s Largest Cruise Ship

At full capacity Royal Caribbean’s new ship can carry 6,988 total guests on 18 decks. Wonder of the Seas, brings even bigger adventures to the award-winning Oasis Class. Like eight unique neighborhoods, including the all-new Suite Neighborhood.

For the suite crowd, including the best and biggest 10-person Family Suite at sea, Wonder of the Seas for the first time collects all the pieces—rooms, pool deck, restaurant—into one single secluded neighborhood. And on the pool deck, the ship now has an adult pool on one side and the kids splash area on the other, so parents and grandparents can sit in the middle and keep an eye on everyone.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/wonder-of-the-seas

NY PATA NTO Members; Travel Advisory

Note that conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time

Masking Requirements for Airlines, Buses, Trains & Ferries Extended

Two years into the pandemic, the U.S. recovery is uneven, the road ahead unclear. While masks are coming off around the country, Americans will still have to cover up during air travel and on public transit for another month. Transportation officials on Thursday extended masking requirements for commercial airlines, buses, trains and ferries through at least April 18.

Nepal: No RT-PCR test required for fully vaccinated travelers

Nepal has opened its doors and most of the travel restrictions are eased. The Government of Nepal has ended the pre-departure PCR test requirement for all vaccinated travelers, effective from March 10, 2022. All they will need now is to present their vaccination certificate. However, the unvaccinated travelers need to perform RT-PCR test.

India Lifts Ban on International Flight from March 27

India is lifting its ban on regular scheduled international flights after over two years. The Civil Aviation Ministry will allow normal scheduled services again from March 27.

Since mid-2020 flights have been operating to and from India under two-way bubble agreements with specific countries. It had air bubble agreements with 37 countries allowing a limited number of international flights. From March 27, these agreements will expire and normal scheduled services will resume.

Thai Airways International and Saudia Airlines

begin direct flights between the two countries

Thailand expects bookings from Saudi Arabia will surge as flights between the two countries resume after a 30-year hiatus, following the visit of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to Saudi Arabia late last month. A break in diplomatic relations brought travel between them to a grinding halt in 1989.

More than 200,000 people are expected to visit in 2022 with the resumption of direct flights and mutual tourism promotions. Saudia Airlines will start operating direct flights between the two countries. Thai Airways International (THAI) report they plan to launch direct flights between Bangkok and Riyadh in May.

From March 1^st, Japan’s immigration regulation will change as follow:

New entry of foreign nationals into Japan under the supervision of receiving organization is allowed

(1) New entry for a short-term stay (less than 3 months) for commercial or employment purpose

(2) New entry for long-term stay

Entry for Tourism purposes is still not allowed.

*Under certain conditions, for those who have been fully vaccinated (2 vaccinations shot + booster shot) quarantine will not be required.

*Depending on countries/ regions and vaccination certificates, a 3-days quarantine is required.

(for more detail, please check the Ministry of Foreign Affair Website https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html )

All tourists travelling to Antigua and Barbuda are required to be fully vaccinated;

however, visitors do NOT require a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test for entry into Antigua and Barbuda, effective March 16, 2022. The Cabinet has also agreed that the regulations governing the wearing of face masks is to be repealed, making the wearing of masks optional effective Wednesday March 16, 2022.

Travelers returning to the USA must show a negative rapid test taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure. Captain Bluff hotel offers tests on site via their in-house doctor for a cost of US$95.00 per person.

JP Morgan Chase to Buy Frosch

JP Morgan Chase signed a definitive agreement on February 17, 2022, to buy corporate and luxury travel agency Frosch. The deal represents a new “business line” for the bank, according to Bryan Leibman, the agency's president and CEO.

Frosch International Travel (Frosch) acquired Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) on April 30, 2021, a move that brought together two New York City-based agencies run by two generations of families that built their respective brands into multimillion-dollar travel businesses. FROSCH maintains offices nationwide, placing it among the top ten agencies in the U.S. Over the past fifteen years, FROSCH has grown from 30 employees to 1,800.

Japan Showcase; 18 presenters

Yokohama | Shizuoka | Nagano | Tokyo + 14 Suppliers

The Japan Showcase is a travel and trade conference and networking event. Travel advisors who sell Japan to consumers were invited for free to have the opportunity to make direct contacts with Japan travel suppliers and receive the most up to date and accurate information about Japan, Endless Discovery.

Members of NY PATA attended the event hosted by Japan National Tourism Organization. JNTO gifted miso soup base for us to have at home a cultural food experience.

Colombia Travel Report by:

Joebert Opulencia and Alejandro Garrido

Colombia is a transcontinental country spanning South America and an insular region in North America. It is known for having the best coffee, emeralds, bananas and roses in the world.

DAY 04 - Starting with a panoramic tour of the modern area of Bocagrande and Castillogrande.

Then a walk through the streets and squares of the Getsemaní neighborhood, steeped in history, culture, and local traditions that are alle reflected in its architecture, murals and inhabitants.

Toured the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, the most amazing fortress of Spanish engineering in America built in 1657 with the purpose of defending the city from constant pirate attacks. Here, one gets to see the beauty of Bogota from above.

Lunch was special @ the famous Restaurante Celele in the hip neighborhood of Getsemaní, a restaurant that is leading the way for contemporary Colombian cuisine. Celele is the result of chefs Jaime Rodríguez and Sebastián Pinzón’s investigative project, Proyecto Caribe Lab, which seeks to highlight the rich gastronomy of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Rodríguez and Pinzón spent years exploring the colorful cuisine of the region and its indigenous communities. The collaboration and research has resulted in a restaurant that provides diners with a well-thought-out, beautifully presented menu using local ingredients in a casual, welcoming ambiance. Tasting lunch with drink pairing was sure an experience.

Visited the Santa Clara Sofitel Hotel, again, the hotel I used for the Sony Incentive Group in 2015. It was great remembering the different functions we had at the hotel

Dinner was at the Vedana Restaurant of the Ananda, a beautiful 5star boutique hotel. Food was yummy.

DAY 05 - Cartagena Cooking Experience at Cafe Lunatico. Here we discovered their coastal culinary identity and the origin of each dish.

Upon your arrival, we were greeted by Chef Maria Delgado and with a refreshing drink of Panela, the Colombian

Redbull. She then introduced us to the local ingredients and the dishes that will be cooked.... its was an experience to eat the food you helped cook.

Last night dinner in Cartagena was at the Amacagua Lounge & Grill of the Hyatt Regency Cartagena.

Hyatt Regency Cartagena is located in Bocagrande district, in 20 minutes' walk of Bocagrande beaches, features views of the bay. Boasting setting next to Maria Mulata, this modern venue offers a swimming pool onsite as well as a special menu and a children's club for children. The accommodation is set in the historic part of Cartagena, a few minutes away from Museo Historico de Cartagena de Indias. Guests will be 18 minutes' walk from the grand 16th-century church "Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver". Carulla Bocagrande is a few minutes' walk away.

It was one great fam tour I had with nine (9) other Travel Advisers and Tour Operators. Five (5) nights in Cartagena was a "wow" for me. I did things I never have done and saw other parts of Cartagena that I never visited before.

Thank you GEMA TOUR and its representative, AMIRA RODRIGUEZ, and PROCOLOMBIA and its representative CAMILA CUADROS ... they both took care of us and were always there when we needed something. BOTH WERE THE "PERFECT HOST"

Flight tomorrow for Bogota for the COLOMBIA TRAVEL MART 2022

By Joebert Opulencia

St Patrick's Day, the day where people across the world wear green

Irish pride will be on view down Fifth Avenue once again (it was a long two-years without it) during the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade. From pipe and drum bands to dancers and performers in regalia, midtown Manhattan will transform into a big party with a sea of green revelers.

The procession starts at 11am and ends around 5pm.

The parade begins at 44th Street, marching up Fifth Avenue—past St. Patrick's Cathedral at 50th Street—all the way to 79th Street. It finishes at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th Street.

Sláinte,

New York PATA Board

Elizabeth Chin

Immediate Past Chair

PATA New York Chapter

Email: newyorkpata@gmail.com

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