Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com | 15 GLOBAL WRAP Visit Finland - the Finnish travel promotion organisation – is making the most of Finland's United Nations ranking as the world's happiest nation for three years in a row. "Rent a Finn Goes Virtual" is a new social media initiative which lets people experience the Finns' natural way of life and daily routines for feeling happier while staying at home. In addition to the live stream series that will showcase how to "Eat with a Finn", or "Be Active with a Finn", those seeking a deeper experience can apply for an exclusive one- to-one session with the Virtual Happiness Guides. THE BEST OF TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA'S GLOBAL WRAP e-DAILY Travel Weekly Asia writers wrap up the best of the news from Asia and the rest of the world. Fancy a fling with a Finn? Crew members are provided with personal protective equipment onboard. Chinese keen on Boracay when travel returns. CREDIT: TVOREC-XTRA/ISTOCK/GETTY- IMAGESPLUS/GETTYIMAGES CREDIT: ZOFF-PHOTO/ ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGESPLUS Visit Finland wants people to share the country's secrets to happiness. Genting welcomes first recovered COVID-19 workers Genting Cruise Lines has been working closely with Singapore authorities to welcome on board SuperStar Gemini the first foreign workers who have recovered from COVID-19. SuperStar Gemini is one of two ships that have passed a thorough assessment by Singapore's government agencies to provide alternative accommodation for Singapore's foreign workers who have recovered from COVID-19. Safety features on board include ensuring that only fresh air is filtered into cabins and public areas with no recirculation of air within the ship. Workers have access to ensuite toilets and in-cabin dining, in- cabin Wi-Fi and entertainment and scheduled outdoor time. Safe distancing measures and strict infection control measures are observed at all times. Thai Airways to be restructured Thailand's cabinet has approved a plan to restructure Thai Airways International Plc's finances through a bankruptcy court. Thai Airways said it will be able to operate flights and run its business as usual while the plan to restructure is being implemented through the Central Bankruptcy Court of Thailand. Should the request be accepted by the bankruptcy court, Thai Airways would be granted an automatic stay restricting legal action from creditors. Chinese eye Philippines getaways The balmy beach resorts of the Philippines will be the first to benefit when Chinese travellers begin to move outside their own country. Outside of Manila, resort locations led by Boracay, Bohol and Cebu will be the preferred destinations of first movers, comprising independent travellers taking short breaks. According to the China Philippines Travel Sentiment Survey, conducted in the first week of May by hospitality consulting group C9 Hotelworks and Delivering Asia Communications, the key conclusion is that the first wave of international travellers will be attracted to beach destinations whose appeal have Carry on flying the flag, SIA The Singapore government has vowed it will ensure national carrier Singapore Airlines flies out of the crisis with its business intact. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the airline and its employees had done their bit to assist during the pandemic and the government would support them. "SIA has always flown Singapore's flag high all over the world and made us proud. We will spare no effort to enable it to do so again," PM Lee said. Parked aircraft in intensive care More than 16,000 passenger jets – roughly two thirds of the global fleet - are grounded worldwide, according to industry researcher Cirium. All of which presents a huge headache for airlines seeking space to park their aircraft and maintain them ahead of restarting operations. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad said its engineers are working around the clock to maintain its grounded fleet, a process that includes running engines and powering up aircraft, checking flight controls, and covering sensors and engines to protect inner workings from sand and dust. Sri Lanka tourism eyes return to business Sri Lanka's tourism industry hopes to welcome international visitors in July as the country's government begins to wind back Covid-19 lockdown measures. Although no timeline has been established for the resumption of international tourism, the industry is hoping to restart domestic tourism in mid-June and international tourism a month later. Sri Lanka's famous stilt fishermen. been enhanced by the Covid-19 self-isolation and social distancing hangover protocols. ASEAN's road map for recovery ASEAN tourism ministers have agreed to cooperate on a range of measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Most notably, the ASEAN member countries will accelerate the exchange of information about travel, especially related to health standards. As well as health, other cooperative measures agreed by ASEAN relate to information, transportation, immigration as well as external partners.

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