Madeira is open for exploration

Golfers looking for a safe destination with excellent courses and beautiful weather this summer are in luck as the award-winning islands of Madeira and Porto Santo are now fully operational and welcoming international travel.

The islands – which were last year hailed as the ‘world’s best emerging golf destination’ at the World Golf Awards, and as Europe’s ‘leading island destination’ for the fourth successive year, as well as the world’s ‘leading island destination’ for a staggering fifth year running in the 2019 World Travel Awards – are delighted to be able to welcome back tourists and have taken every step to ensure the safety of every resident and visitor.

Determined to be renowned as a ‘safe destination’, the Madeira islands have been working with SGS, the world leader in certification, to ensure good practices for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and other possible infections. The certification process is available to all companies in the tourism industry and is easily identified by the logo appearing under the umbrella of "Madeira Safe to Discover".

GNTB recognised for strategy

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) now belongs to the Champions in the TOP 100 Innovation Competition. In the 27th round of the scientific selection process, the GNTB convinced the jurors in the "class B" of corporations (size: 51 to 200 employees) with its innovative achievements.

Specific projects that contributed to the jury’s decision were the use of new technologies, such as the "Mixed Reality" application "Palaces, Parks and Gardens," in which internet users virtually visit Neuschwanstein Castle, or Sanssouci Palace. A speaker describes the details of each castle in the selected national language. In the #CelebratingBauhaus campaign, experts honored the digital presentation and cultural marketing of the 100th anniversary of the famous Bauhaus art school. Another project included in the evaluation was the GNTB’s pioneering role in the application of face filters for tourist campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. These filters allow users to combine their profile pictures with predefined motifs to create individual image compositions.

Explore the Lake Geneva region

As the global lockdown slowly eases with many countries relaxing their restrictions, normality is on the horizon for those longing to travel and break away from the confines of their homes. After a difficult few months, we now begin to see many European countries announcing the opening of their borders for travel and tourism this summer.

Once the travel restrictions are eased, experts predict that travellers would want to rediscover nature and choose quieter destinations, away from crowded cities. This makes Canton de Vaud in Lake Geneva Region of Switzerland the best secluded, yet prettiest places to travel to from the GCC. Furthermore, Switzerland has been ranked the safest country in the world, according to the recent Covid-19 Regional Safety Assessment by Deep Knowledge Group.

Without doubt, Canton de Vaud which stretches along the northern shore of Lake Geneva region of Switzerland, radiates sheer calmness, classic charm and stunning natural beauty. Top 6 undiscovered experiences in Canton de Vaud are Rochers de Naye, the historic steamboat cruise, the peak walk at Glacier 3000, Chillon Castle, the panoramic stroll in Lausanne and the vineyards of Lavaux.

Malta welcomes back tourists

Malta’s exemplary recovery has been credited by the European Commission, the Commonwealth, The World Health Organization, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and others. Provided that, many influential publications have reported that Malta is one of the safest destinations post Covid-19.

Malta International Airport reopened fully for commercial flights on July 15, 2020 whilst it opened to a list of European approved ‘safe’ countries on July 1.

On arrival, travellers will be subjected to a thermal screening and will be asked to fill a self-declaration form requesting information on their travels in the last 30 days.

Malta Tourism Authority encourages its visitors to follow 4 basic principles when visiting the island; maintain social distancing at all times, take care of your personal hygiene, wear a mask or visor where necessary and most importantly, have fun!