News

In 2020, the world changed forever. Rather than hopping on planes to explore the world, we put away our passports and stored our luggage for the greater good. However, as more people get the COVID-19 vaccine, a return to travel is coming. We’re celebrating the reopening of borders and planning […]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday that U.S.-bound international air travelers can meet COVID-19 entry requirements using certain self-administered tests. In January, the CDC mandated that all airline passengers aged two and older — including U.S. citizens — be able to provide negative COVID […]

Taipei, May 11 (CNA) A travel bubble arrangement between Taiwan and its Pacific diplomatic ally Palau will remain in place, even though the Taiwanese carrier that operates flights destined for Palau is combating a pilot shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Transportation Minister Chi Wen-jong (祈文中) said Tuesday. The […]

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has endorsed the University of Fiji’s Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Studies. PATA – founded in 1951 – is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. […]

Azamara has announced its “Explore Well at Sea” program ahead of the line’s return to service in August. All guests will be required to be vaccinted.  Guests cruising in August and beyond can expect advanced screening protocols such as fully vaccinated crew and guests, enhanced sanitation measures, and enhanced medical […]

CruiseOne, Dream Vacations and Cruises Inc., which are part of World Travel Holdings, are launching a “new tiered learning path that provides a personalized approach to supporting advisors’ ongoing education and professional development.” World Travel Holdings has announced this in a press release. The cruise agency said that the program’s […]

The lockdown imposed in Wallis and Futuna in March is being eased as Covid-19 cases have plummeted. The territory went into a sudden lockdown on March 9th when the first community case was detected, which within days snowballed into hundreds of infections. A total of 434 cases have been recorded, […]

BANGKOK, May 6, 2021 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the election of two new government members to the PATA Executive Board. Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Maldives and Ms Noredah Othman, General Manager, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia were both elected for a […]

BANGKOK, May 11, 2021 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has today become a signatory of The Future of Tourism Coalition with the global mission to place destinations at the centre of recovery strategies. PATA CEO Dr Mario Hardy said, “While decades of growth before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have been celebrated […]

The French overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu says for France to allow French tourists back to Tahiti, 70 percent of French Polynesians have to be vaccinated against Covid-19. To date about 10 percent have had two jabs, with the government saying it hopes to immunise 70 percent by September. Last year’s […]

In preparation for the bubble opening with New Zealand, Cook Islands Tourism has delivered the Kia Orana Plus Training Programme to over 80 businesses and over 450 employees across Rarotonga and Aitutaki since September 2020. The one-day training programme was developed to equip businesses with the necessary basic facts, best […]

Solomon Islands remains COVID-19 free. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during his nation-wide address yesterday announced that there are no new COVID-19 cases recorded in the last two to three weeks. “I am extremely pleased to announce that we have now been COVID-19 free for more than two weeks,” he said. […]

LONDON, 11 MAY 2021 (REUTERS) — Data from the rollout of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine shows one dose of the shot results in 80 percent less risk of death from the disease, Public Health England said on Monday. It also said protection against death from the Pfizer-BioNTech (PFE.N), vaccine rises from […]

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Yacht Code (the “Code”) has been updated and amended making it more pragmatic than ever for modern and innovative owners and shipyards to choose the RMI as a building standard. The Code was first published in 2013 and this is the most significant update […]

SUVA, 11 MAY 2021 (PACNEWS) — A new fund aimed at helping build preparations ahead of disasters to help Pacific nations cut the cost of rebuilding and recovery is doing a stage one launch Wednesday, with the main launch of funding support timed for October 2021. Forum Secretary General Dame […]

Nauru’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign has exceeded the government’s expectations. A government release says 7,392 people, or 108 percent of the adult population have received the first dose. This exceeds population estimates of 6,812 adults living in Nauru based on figures in a 2019 census, as stated by the Bureau of […]

The publication, entitled “Boosting Tourism Development through Intellectual Property,” highlights good practices, features case studies and recommendations for policymakers and other tourism stakeholders on how to ensure that creativity, innovation, traditions and cultural heritage in tourism are properly protected and commercialized and that the benefits are shared by all. In a joint […]

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has released the Kiribati Tourism Industry Review 2020 report which is a consolidation of data from various local sources and provides a general overview of Kiribati tourism sector in 2020. The report reveals an 82% year on year (YOY) drop in international visitor arrivals […]

A comprehensive review of the SPTO Tourism Insights Programme was conducted by Eagles Consultancy early this month to evaluate the current state of the programmes and platforms available and provide recommendations to benefit SPTO members and partners. The review involved a detailed SWOT analysis, analyzing feedback from online surveys and […]