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| Impact of Corona Virus Source: ForwardKeys |
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office would like to inform its partners on the latest developments around COVID-19. We are constantly gathering updates on the measures taken by the different destination countries to stop the spreading of COVID-19.
The outbreak of the corona virus has hit some destinations particularly hard, as a stark decline in Chinese Outbound tourists, and a general fear of traveling, especially to some destinations in Asia. While nobody can predict when things turn back to normal, or if we need to adapt to a new reality in travel, destinations can do a few things during this time, instead of solely focusing on declining numbers and fear:
- Diversify Source Markets: We have seen many destinations have relied dangerously on the Chinese market. And when it comes to the Chinese market, many destinations have focused on easy to capture, but less profitable mass tour groups, that showed nice growth numbers. Diversifying should be one of the biggest lessons from the corona virus, and even within China, there are multiple market segments that drive more yield and sustainability.
- Develop a robust Feeder Market Channel Strategy vs the usual market segmentation channel strategy. Focus on your short-haul feeder-markets and especially on your drive-in feeder markets. Why? People will continue to travel, especially on short-haul and shorter stay trips.
- Develop a Sustainability Strategies and Programs: Now is also a good time to step back and look at developing more robust and scalable digital platforms, reduce single-use plastic and food waste, and revamp your product and distribution strategies. Implementing sustainability strategies sometimes is not always top priority, especially when business is good and the hectic of the day to day operations makes implementation challenging. Many of these programs can result in financial benefits in the long-term, in addition to saving the planet.
- Leverage Industry Association and Partnerships: For destinations in the Mekong Region, taking advantage of the free or low-cost programs of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. Also organizations like the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has various services in the region, as well as other travel industry associations. This is a way to collaborate as judging from the past SARS outbreak, individual destination campaigns are unlikely to be very effective with long-haul travelers, even if the destinations are virus-free. North American and European travelers will be hesitant to return to Asia until it is completely safe. Now is the time to collaborate to work together in restoring confidence and rebuilding business. This cannot be done alone in silos but has to be done in partnership as a united industry.
- Assess risks and prepare solutions to potential challenges in advance. Destinations have to assess potential risks and prepare for potential emergency cases in advance. This does not only apply for cases such as COVID-19 or natural disasters. It can also be responses to over-crowding of destinations or environmental emergencies. Destinations have to take long-term look and opportunities and challenges and prepare in advance. We are working with destinations to support them in their strategies and align them throughout the region.
As many destinations have relied on the Chinese outbound market, the effect has resulted in a drastic decline in tourism numbers.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has released an official statement, stressing the good relationship between Thailand and China, support and sympathy, and assurances that they are working very closely to monitor the situation together with the governments and public health authorities. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has also been very active on Weibo, with health tips for travelers, and a heartfelt video from the tourism office, expressing their support for China, and able to provide assistance to any Chinese travelers in the country.
However, it’s not just the Chinese outbound traveler we need to be concerned about. Global business travelers are holding off travel to Asia unless absolutely necessary, especially to destinations traditionally visited by the Chinese. Singapore, Mumbai, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur are all impacted.
With lots of information available online, we recommend relying on the trusted information released by the World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int
The latest report about COVID-19 by BMJ Best Practice of COVID-19 is available here
We are closely monitoring the situation on a daily basis via the real-time tracker developed by the Center for the Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University: https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6 as well as real-time statistics by Worldometer: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus
Please see below for updates about travel requirements in each of our six GMS member countries:
CAMBODIA
There are no travel restrictions issued by the Cambodian government. Officials perform temperature screenings on arriving travelers at international airports.
The General Department of Waterway And Maritime Transport, and Ports of Cambodia has announced that from the 13th Mar 2020 until future notice, all international tourist cruises are not allowed to enter Cambodia.
The Cambodian government has announced a temporary entry stop for Italian, German, Spanish, French and American citizens for a period of 30 days starting from Tuesday the 17th of March till 16th April 2020.
Other nationalities can technically still arrive however given the introduction of quarantine measures in which travellers can get caught up, we advise nationalities other than the 5 above to POSTPONE any travel to CAMBODIA until 31 March 2020. Read more
Last updates on temporary closure for 18th of March
Phnom Penh
The National Museum is closed until further notice.
The S21 Toul Sleng Museum is closed until further notice.
The Killing Fields are closed until further notice.
Wat Phnom is closed until further notice.
The Royal Palace is closed until further notice.
The Silver Pagoda is closed until further notice.
The Angkor National Museum is closed until further notice.
Source
Official Tourism Department Website
CHINA PR
China has banned outbound tourist groups and individuals.
Authorities have introduced preventative measures across China, including temperature checks at transport hubs and other locations; quarantine arrangements for travel between different parts of the country; and restrictions on travel between and within cities.
Many tourist attractions are closed, in addition to other public and private entities such as schools and businesses.
On Wednesday (March 11), Beijing announced a 14-day mandatory quarantine on all international travelers arriving in the Chinese capital.
Meanwhile, international business travelers will be required to stay at a select number of designated hotels in Beijing where they will be tested for the virus. They will not be allowed to leave until their test results have been returned.
Countrywide, passengers arriving from Iran, Italy, Japan or Korea and traveling to Beijing, Guangzhou, or Shanghai are subject to quarantine for 14 days. Read more
Official Tourism Department Website
LAO PDR
Lao PDR has suspended flights to China. There are no official restrictions for travellers entering Laos.
Lao PDR has sealed off Golden Triangle roads at the borders with China and Myanmar.
Official Tourism Department Website
MYANMAR
Last updated on March 18: The government of Myanmar has announced that all entertainment venues such as KTV, movie theaters, night clubs, spas, and massage parlours are closed until further notice. Source
Latest updated on March 16:
The Myanmar government is preparing to quarantine or turn away tourists from Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and Iran, the countries that have been hit the worst by COVID-19, according to the Union of Myanmar Travel Association on Sunday (March 15).
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has ordered the closure of all preschools and nurseries starting March 16 until the end of April as part of the efforts to protect people from COVID-19 pandemic.
The Central Bank of Myanmar announced March 13 that the implementation of a 0.5 percent cut in interest rates will start on Monday (March 16), instead of April 1 as originally planned.
The Myanmar Rice Federation announced on March 13 it will ensure a steady supply of grains in the local market to support demand. It also said the public need not worry about rice shortages as Myanmar has sufficient reserves. Dealers will continue distributing rice at normal prices. Read more
Sunday 15 March. The government of Myanmar has issued a 14 days quarantine on arrival for citizens of the following nations AND for travellers having visited these countries: China, Italy, Iran, S-Korea, Spain, Germany, France. We advise ALL travellers to POSTPONE any travel to MYANMAR EFFECTIVE today Sunday 15th March until 31 March 2020. We will keep you updated if travel to Myanmar and vis policies are able after this date. Source
Travellers from outbreak regions are asked to report to the Airport Quarantine Desk to fill in a medical report form. Upon arrival at the point of entry Travellers are subject to primary fever screening. Temperature checks are also set up at hotels and shopping malls.
No restrictions have been put in place for tourist attractions.
Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has suspended visas-on-arrival for Chinese travelers to Myanmar. Read more
Official Tourism Department Website
THAILAND
On March 18, The Government of Thailand has announced the following measures:
•Thai New Year, or Songkran, holidays and celebrations, from the 13th to the 15th of April, 2020, are postponed until further notice.
•14-day closure of universities, international schools and tutorial schools, from the 18th to 31st of March, 2020.
•Temporary closure of Muay Thai stadiums, sports stadiums, horse race tracks, cinemas, pubs/bars, and entertainment venues in Bangkok and the vicinity until further notice.
•The hosting of events and activities which attract large crowds; such as, concerts, exhibitions and trade fairs, and religious, cultural and sports events, will be up to the discretion of each provincial governor and the local communicable disease control office.
For venues that need to remain open, including shopping venues, markets and office buildings, the government has asked for stricter surveillance measures. Operators of shops and restaurants are also asked to implement stricter screening and cleanliness. Source
On March 15, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide clarification on our recent update issued on 13 March, 2020, titled “Thailand temporarily suspends visas for 21 countries to contain COVID-19,” especially for passport holders of South Korea, Hong Kong SAR and Russia. Read more
Upon arrival at the point of entry travelers are subject to primary fever screening by thermo scanners and infrared thermometers and a questionnaire on their travel history and contact information. Travelers with no fever will receive a health beware card and be allowed to enter the country. Travelers with a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius and who have COVID-19 symptoms will be isolated and transferred to a designated hospital for quarantine or treatment. Travelers who have been in contact or seated in the close vicinity of the suspected cases will be followed up for 14 days in accordance with the disease prevention and control standards.
Thailand has recently announced the visa on arrival cancellation for 18 countries and visa exemption of three countries including South Korea, Italy, and Hong Kong. Read more
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has stepped up its surveillance, prevention and control measures for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Don Mueang Airport. Aimed at ensuring health confidence among travellers, the enhanced measures at Don Mueang Airport include extra screening points with handheld thermometers at:
Immigration’s passport control, International Departures, Level 3, International Passenger Terminal 1
Security screening, Domestic Departures, Level 3, Domestic Passenger Terminal 2
Entry screening, Domestic Arrivals, Level 1, Domestic Passenger Terminal 2
The extra screening points are in addition to the entry screening points at the International Arrivals, Level 1, International Passenger Terminal 1.
Due to the extra screening, travellers are advised to arrive at Don Mueang Airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure time.
Read more
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has stepped up its surveillance, prevention and control measures for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The enhanced measures include:
5 entry screening points with thermal scans and handheld thermometers
2 at the Arrival Concourse D.
3 at the Immigration’s passport control.
4 departure screening points with thermal scans and handheld thermometers
1 at the security screening, International Departures Zone 3.
1 at the Immigration’s passport control, Fast Track Lane, International Departures Zone 3.
1 at the Immigration’s passport control, Fast Track Lane, International Departures Zone 2.
1 at the Immigration’s passport control, International Departures Zone 1.
Extra entry screening of travellers from the Disease Infected Zones*
Assigned parking bays adjacent to Concourses C, E, F and G for separate entry screening upon arrival.
Travellers with a body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher and have respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath) with a history of travel to the COVID-19 epidemic areas will be isolated and transferred to a designated hospital for quarantine or treatment. Read more
Official Tourism Department Website
VIET NAM
Latest updated on March 18: Vietnam Airlines has announced it will suspend its flights to France starting from the 17th of March until further notice. The national carrier added that their flights between Vietnam and Malaysia will be suspended from the 18th until the 31st of March because of the Malaysian government’s temporary border closure announcement.
The government of Vietnam has announced measures in the following provinces:
• Binh Thuan: all boats, all accommodations, all tourist sites, and all restaurants are closed until further notice.
• Ha Giang: all accommodations, all tourist sites, and all restaurants are closed until further notice.
• Dong Nai: all tourist sites, and all entertainment venues are closed until further notice.
Phu Quoc
• Aquatopia Water Park (Hon Thom) is closed until further notice. The Hon Thom cable car remains open.
Source
Latest update on March 15: Starting at 12 PM Sunday, 15 March 2020 (for 30 days), no entry to visitors from the European Schengen Area and U.K, or visitors coming from these countries, is allowed. Visitors travelling through or coming from China, South Korea, and Iran will also be denied entry. Visa-on-arrival for all foreigners will not be possible.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed Vietnam from the list of destinations with risk of community spread.
Upon arrival at the point of entry travelers are subject to primary fever screening by thermo scanners and infrared thermometers and a questionnaire on their travel history and contact information. Travelers with no fever will receive a health beware card and be allowed to enter the country. Travelers with a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius and who have COVID-19 symptoms will be isolated and transferred to a designated hospital for quarantine or treatment. Travelers who have been in contact or seated in the close vicinity of the suspected cases will be followed up for 14 days in accordance with the disease prevention and control standards.All flights to and from mainland China on all airlines have been indefinitely suspended by the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam. Flights connecting to Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan are operational with many airlines running reduced routes. Read more
Travelers arriving from as well as those who have transited through South Korea are required to submit medical declarations upon arrival in Vietnam, and may be placed in quarantine if showing symptoms of the virus.
Travelers who have transited through mainland China, and outbreak areas of South Korea within the past 14 days will be refused entry to Vietnam.
The Italian Embassy has confirmed that visitors from Italy and Iran will be placed under quarantine for 15 days, or will be asked to return to their port of departure. Italian citizens arriving from other countries are asked to fill in a form upon arrival and undergo a temperature check. Each case will be decided upon separately by the Vietnamese Immigration Police.
Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific have announced they will temporarily waive flight change and refund fees for passengers flying to or from Chinese cities until further notice.
Vietnam Airlines and Air Seoul have reduced flights between South Korea and Vietnam, while Bamboo Airways’ routes from Nha Trang and Đà Nẵng to Seoul are cancelled indefinitely from February 26.
Visitors from other affected countries may be subjected to restrictions at the discretion of the Vietnamese government.
The following events have been cancelled or postponed:
Yen Tu Festival in Quang Ninh – Cancelled
Tam Chuc Festival in Ha Nam – Cancelled
Tran Temple Festival in Nam Dinh – Cancelled
Huyen Tran Festival in Hue – Cancelled
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2020 – Cancelled
Activities for Visit Vietnam Year 2020 in Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu – Postponed
Huế Festival 2020 – Postponed to August 28, 2020
Da Lat Sufferfest – Postponed
Quang Binh Marathon – Postponed
Techcombank Ha Noi Marathon – Postponed
Sunrise Sprint – Postponed to May 3, 2020
Vietnam’s inaugural Formula One Grand Prix is postponed. New dates will be announced later on this year.
Pedestrian and walking zones in Hue and Hanoi — common gathering places for locals and tourists — will be closed until the situation improves.
Official Tourism Department Website
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
c/o 3rd Floor, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 154 Rama 1 Road
National Stadium, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Web: www.mekongtourism.org
Tel: +66 2038 5071-1
Mobile: +66 8555 44234, +66 8098 95853
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