News & Stories

Delhi. For India, it all began in Thrissur, district of Kerala, at the tropical Malabar Coast known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters. It was in this southern part of India that the first Indian tested positive for the dreaded Corona virus or Covid-19. The lockdown leaves deep economic scars in the country and above all unemployment for hundreds of millions of people. In addition to a popular corona app, a renowned technology expert also recommends that the government use technology more intensively for the benefit of the travel industry. We have also asked Puneet Chhatwal, CEO of India's Taj Hotels & Resorts, for a brief comment.

Madrid. The resurgence of Covid 19 is causing Spanish hoteliers to lose hope that the months of July and August could save an already unstable summer season.

Frankfurt/Main. This segment had already been booming in previous years, Corona literally made caravanning explode: New registrations of leisure vehicles reached a record level of almost 55,000 vehicles in the first half of the year. This is around 4 % more than in the first half of 2019.

Munich. Summer holidays, short-time work, home office – the job market is acting in a restricted way, but the change in "Work & Travel" is already underway. City tourism is down, according to figures from Germany and Austria. The trade fair business is not picking up either: In Cologne, presence trade fairs are again permitted, but the first ones are not taking place now because too few exhibitors are registering.

Zagreb. A rapid rise in the number of infections does not necessarily mean a second wave of the pandemic. Croatia is a current example of this: A country in which only 3,220 people have tested positive for Covid-19 so far can easily be frightened by case numbers doubling. The shock hits a coastal country like Croatia, which is dependent on tourism, particularly hard.

Bern. The Swiss Federal Council extends short-time working compensation from 12 to 18 months. Additional economic assistance is to be provided for hardship cases. From 6 July, everyone in the country will be required to wear masks on public transport for the first time.

Frankfurt. Since Corona, companies have significantly reduced their business trips. Around two-thirds of meetings have since been conducted virtually – an increase of 39%. Eight out of ten business travellers prefer face-to-face meetings – despite Corona.

Palma de Mallorca. 10,900 selected German package holidaymakers have been testing Mallorca's Corona ripening since this week. The Spanish island actually wanted to switch to quality tourism. But the cruise terminal remains under construction. And the Ballermann remains too. The German Björn Spaude, hotelier on Mallorca for seven years, about Corona findings shortly before the official restart.

Madrid. The first 10,900 tourists from Germany have arrived this week on Mallorca, backed by coordinated flights from Germany starting on June 15. The test tourists will be gradually distributed over four Balearic Islands.Officially, tourists are allowed to enter Spain on 1 July. The expectations for the summer season are high.

Munich. Expo Real 2020 changes its date and format this year: Europe's largest real estate and investment trade fair in Munich is going hybrid – reacting to the current situation. The date was shifted from October 5 to 7 to October 14 and 15. Messe Muenchen expects the green light from the Bavarian government on June 20. They were already familiar with the new concept and had basically approved it at the core.