This brand new week, we bring you our fresh new weekly Top Ten (10) digest for the most important things in Uganda’s Tourism, the world of Aviation and Travel that have trending especially in this COVID-19 Era. As always, we will be giving you highlights that make News rounds all through from start of the week. Below is our Weekly Newsletter for your readership.
01. Unique tree-climbing lions roar again in Uganda – Op-Ed
Just six months has passed since the killing and mutilation of six lions in the Ishasha sector of Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP).
If you were to visit the park, you would see these so-called Ishasha lions lazing around in the myriad branches of towering fig trees. This group is one of only two populations of lions known to climb trees, making the majestic beasts fascinating subjects for study and a popular tourist attraction. Sadly, however, these lions face numerous threats, including habitat loss, snaring, human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade and the trafficking of lion body parts.
02. Emirates Reopens 20 more Airport lounges
Emirates has reopened 20 of its dedicated airport lounges across its international network for premium cabin passengers and Skywards members in selected membership tiers. They will have access to more than 120 lounges by February.
Customers flying in First or Business class will enhance their travel experience by using Emirates’ unique premium lounge service at over 20 airports across Europe, Africa, the United States, and Asia.
03. The Omicron Effect: Legitimate Fear Or Deception?
While the Omicron strain is more infectious than the Delta strain, so far, it appears to have milder illness consequences. While it is gaining a foothold with growing numbers worldwide, the Delta variant remains the dominant strain.
Since the new strain is swiftly spreading across the globe, many countries have raised their entrance restrictions quickly.
04. UAE’s Travel Ban a hard reality for Uganda Airlines
Passengers from seventeen African countries, including Uganda, have been barred from entering or transiting through the UAE economic hub of Dubai since December 28th as part of official policies to try and counter check the spread of Omicron Covid variant.
This ban follows previous restrictions that were in place last summer. With these stringent regulations in place, passengers have been left stranded with attempts to get to Dubai or other destinations through Dubai.
05. More Six countries barred from entry and transit by the Emirates
The total number of countries barred from entry into or transit through the United Arab Emirates has increased to seventeen from eleven as by close of last year.
The UAE earlier last year imposed travel restrictions on a number of African countries due to the surging Omicron Corona variant. The pandemic induced restrictions affect passengers who have been or transited through the respective countries with in the last fortinight (14 days).
06. New York City launches first-ever NYC Hotel Week
NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation and convention and visitors bureau, has launched its first-ever NYC Hotel Week, offering a 22% discount off the standard room rate at more than 110 of the city’s finest hotels across all five boroughs. NYC Hotel Week, presented by preferred payment partner Mastercard, will run from January 4 through February 13.
07. Singapore halts new ticket sales for quarantine-free travel
Travelers who have already booked tickets under Singapore’s vaccinated travel lane arrangements will still be able to enter the country without serving quarantines. “Our border measures will help to buy us time to study and understand the Omicron variant, and to strengthen our defences, including enhancing our healthcare capacity, and getting more people vaccinated and boosted,” the health ministry said.
Singapore has so far detected 65 imported omicron cases. As of this week, there were six local omicron cases in the country, the health ministry said.
08. How travel will look like in 2022 and what will change
On March 2, four new occurrences of the virus were announced, two of which were the first cases of community transmission. These two cases were acquired in Australia, although all previous cases were imported from outside. Both cases were reported in New South Wales, with one obtained from a close family and the other from a health care worker in Western Sydney.
The federal government announced on March 25 that Australian citizens and permanent residents would be required to seek exemptions to leave the country.
09. How Internet of Things can create seamless stay for hotel guests and maintain worker safety
While there is still some uncertainty about the pandemic, with vaccinations widely available many people are eager to travel. Travel bookings are through the roof – with hotels the busiest they’ve been since prior to the pandemic. Among all this chaos, it’s important for hotel owners to protect their two most important assets: their guests and their employees.
For hoteliers looking to create efficiencies and a safe, comfortable experience for both employees and guests traveling for the first time in over a year, the Internet of Things (IoT) can help them do so. In fact, according to PwC, 70% of hospitality executives report that they already have active IoT projects in the works.
10. Africa’s International Powerhouse: 76 Years of Ethiopian Airlines
First starting its operations with former military Douglas C-47 transports, Ethiopian Airlines has grown to become Africa’s largest airline. Founded on December 21st, 1946, the carrier now has a fleet of 130 aircraft, operating a particularly diverse fleet of widebody twinjets. Having already covered the airline’s history in previous articles, let’s specifically take a look back at the carrier’s past year.
Now 76 years old, Ethiopian’s 75th year as an airline wasn’t an easy one considering the ongoing challenges presented by the global health crisis. Sadly, the airline’s 73rd and 74th years had their own issues, too, of course. Indeed, 2021 has been a continuation of problems that began in 2019- with the carrier being one of two airlines at the center of the Boeing 737 MAX crisis.
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