Riyadh launches sleep pods, Bhutan cuts tourism fees in half -Premier Medical

As Bali copes with the influx of tourists, Bhutan is introducing efforts to attract more tourists to Bali.

Meanwhile, in Europe, an airline became the first airline on the continent to introduce a child-free zone on board, and EasyJet launched its first flight from London to Cairo.

In case you missed it, here’s a roundup of the latest travel and tourism news.

Riyadh Airport Launches Sleep Pods

News of King Khalid International Airport’s sleeppods made headlines around the world last week when Riyadh introduced a Wassan Lounge in Terminal 5’s departure lobby.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the capsule will be equipped with air conditioning, interactive screens, charging ports and luggage storage space. The bed is 2 meters long and 1.5 meters wide.

The pod is designed for passengers with short layovers who need a break between flights, but can also be used for work or leisure. It can accommodate up to 300 passengers per day.

Bali announces $10 entry fee

The Indonesian island has been dealing with unruly tourists this year as millions flock to its shores. This includes the introduction of stricter policies such as mandatory scooter licenses, a ban on mountaineering and entry fees of 150,000 rupiah ($10) per person. The fee, announced earlier this year, must be paid before or upon arrival.

The move is expected to go into effect in February and is part of an effort to “clean up the tourism scene” in Bali, said Chokorda Bagus Pemayun, head of the Bali Tourism Board, in an interview. bloomberg last week. The funds will be used for conservation and sustainability projects, he confirmed.

Bhutan halves tourism fees

Visitors to Bhutan currently have to pay $200 per person per night as part of the Himalayan country’s sustainable development costs. This was raised from $65 last September after two years of COVID-19 restrictions and was intended to offset the carbon dioxide generated by tourists.

But the government announced this weekend that the daily rate will be halved, with a new rate of $100 per night starting in September. The changes, which have been in place for four years, are part of an effort to boost a struggling tourism industry.

easyJet Flights London to Cairo

The British low-cost airline has announced a new route to Cairo, which will first depart London’s Luton on 31 October. The flight will take off three times a week and operate year-round.

This will be EasyJet’s first service to Cairo, joining Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada in its Egyptian network.

“Cairo, the capital of Egypt, has some truly iconic landmarks and will undoubtedly become the destination of choice for passengers traveling from London Luton Airport,” said London Luton Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer. Chief Jonathan Rayner said.

First European airline to launch child-free zones

In November, passengers traveling with children on Turkish-owned Corendon Airlines will be the first European airline to offer child-free seats, so be careful not to end up in the “adults only” zone.

The service, which can be used by passengers over the age of 16, will be the first European airline to do so, after Corendon has followed international airlines such as AirAsia.

The first will be on flights between Amsterdam and Curacao.

Korean Air to weigh passengers

South Korea’s largest airline has confirmed that it will “measure the average weight of passengers along with carry-on items for flight safety” in the coming weeks. This follows a similar move Air New Zealand announced in June.

Travelers departing from Gimpo and Incheon International Airports (both in Seoul) will be asked to weigh themselves. However, the airline said those who wish to keep their weight private can opt out by telling staff.

This process helps airlines update aircraft weight and balance control standards and determine aircraft weight distribution. These measurements should be taken every 5 years.

Updated: Aug 28, 2023, 2:09 PM