The Wise Traveller wishes all its readers and clients a Happy New Year. To get 2024 off to a flying start, here are some news briefs to keep your travel plans on the up and up:
A new survey has revealed the world’s most dangerous countries to travel in. A 2024 medical and security consultancy International SOS risk map outlined several nations as “very high” risk. These are Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Niger, North Korea, Palestinian Territories, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
The riskiest nations are South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Somalia. The annual map assesses various factors to inform travellers and businesses about potential threats in countries across the globe. The safest countries are Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland and Denmark.
Nations were graded for each category of risk – medical, security and climate change – on a five-level scale ranging from “low” to “very high” for medical and climate change and “insignificant” to “extreme” for security.
Visa charges for travellers from select countries heading to China are to be cut to boost its tourism sector. Visa fees have been cut by a quarter for inbound travellers from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Mexico. The scheme is valid until November 2024.
While inking a reciprocal visa deal with Singapore for 2024, China previously agreed on visa-free agreements with France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.
Nordic carrier Norse Atlantic Airways has revealed plans to strengthen its ties with Bangkok with more flights from its Oslo hub for next summer. It is a continuation of its seasonal direct flights, spurred by increasing demand. The carrier operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Travel metasearch website WayAway has revealed the results of a survey of online harassment experienced by travellers. The findings showed the need for targeted actions from social media companies, law enforcement, tourism destination marketing bodies and travel stakeholders.
Nearly 40% of travellers said they had received some form of online harassment while active on social media and exploring new destinations. The survey showed that 51% of women reported online harassment, while 70% of women had received unsolicited, sexually explicit photos.
More than half of survey respondents reporting abuse said the experiences negatively impacted their travel experiences. Additionally, 50% said they felt vulnerable in a foreign country and the potential unresponsiveness of local law enforcement.
As a result, travellers would adjust their phone’s location settings and file a complaint with social media platforms, with 18% updating their marital status on social platforms. WayAway urged travellers to maintain stringent privacy settings and report all incidents of harassment.
Qatar Airways has announced plans to boost its European connections in 2024 with a new flight to Hamburg and the relaunch of its Venice-bound destination.
The airline will offer seven weekly Hamburg flights starting 1 July 2024 and the return of Venice flights from Doha with seven weekly flights beginning 12 June 2024. The flights are part of an expansion push on Qatar Airways’ winter schedule with greater flight frequencies to Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona and Miami.
Those looking to stay in serviced apartments worldwide have had their choices boosted by Onyx Hospitality Group. Through its Shama brand, it plans to introduce new properties in Greater China, Malaysia and Thailand.
The company says the demand for serviced apartments is rising and aims to meet this with two in China, including Hong Kong, two in Malaysia, and one in Thailand. Shama offers serviced apartments with a balance of luxury and practicality for short and extended stays.
ONYX Hospitality Group operates 16 Shama locations, including six in Thailand, six in Hong Kong, and four in China.
Kenya has announced that in 2024, it will be scrapping visa requirements for all international visitors, as it marks the country’s 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain.
President William Samoei Ruto has long advocated for Kenya to become a visa-free country. After gradually scrapping visas for citizens of other African countries in 2023, his wish is finally coming true in 2024. “It will no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya,” he said.
To implement the policy, the government has developed a digital platform where travellers must register before arriving in the country. Visitors will still be identified but receive an electronic travel authorisation instead of needing to apply for a visa.
Andy Probert is an experienced freelance business travel journalist and PR specialist.
