DOHA - Qatar Tourism has launched a new international multi-media campaign to drive forward the country’s tourism goals and cement its ambition to welcome more than six million visitors a year by 2030. The campaign features nine unique, engaging key chain characters designed to introduce travellers to the destination, which will roll out across 15 international core markets.
Under the tagline, 'Experience a World Beyond', Qatar Tourism will launch its latest development via a TV-led, multi-media campaign, featuring the voice of Indonesian singing sensation, Raisa. Six key chain characters introduce travellers to the variety of experiences that Qatar offers, with a further three, friendly local characters representing Qatari tour guides.
The global campaign is inspired by the insight that today, more than ever, international travellers want to engage in authentic experiences that will enrich their lives, rather than pose for the perfect Instagram picture. It brings to life that Qatar is an accessible introduction to the Middle East, blending cosmopolitan modernity and beautiful landscapes with Arabic traditions, cuisines and cultures.
Leading hospitality and travel safety is also at the heart of the campaign, as Qatar was named the world's safest country by Numbeo's 2020 Safety Index. Amongst the increasingly competitive Middle Eastern tourism industry, the uniquely friendly and familiar campaign is designed to stand out from the crowd, helping raise mass awareness of the country and its undiscovered potential.
The new advertising campaign reflects Qatar’s commitment to expanding its tourism proposition, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030. Qatar has already welcomed over two hundred thousand in-bound travellers since the country's borders re-opened in July 2021.
A new website launched by Qatar Tourism, www.visitqatar.qa is available in five languages and supported by a recently launched Personalised Travel Companion mobile app, designed to showcase the world-leading destination.
Qatar’s new tourism strategy puts the visitor at the heart of all new programmes and initiatives and will leverage the peninsula’s variety of existing experiences, while capitalising on a wave of new hotels, theme parks, shops and major leisure projects that have recently opened, or are set to launch, in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM.
To drive significant growth in annual international visitor arrivals, Qatar Tourism has appointed travel representative agencies in the eight key source markets in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Russia, China, India and the United States of America, as well as the addition of in-market sales managers in Australia and Turkey.
To aid knowledge and development for travel agents, Qatar Tourism’s travel agency training platform, TAWASH, has also been refreshed with a new interface design, content and training modules. The training platform supports Qatar’s mission to become a leader in Service Excellence. Designed to offer an improved learning experience, the upgraded programme functionality includes features such as interactive maps and knowledge check quizzes, alongside a new module structure to deliver an agile learning solution.  
Agents can receive a ‘Qatar Expert’ certificate, which can be upgraded to ‘Qatar Specialist’ through completion of additional elective options. Learners who have already completed the former programme will automatically receive the ‘Qatar Expert’ level.
With the goal of raising tourism to 12% of GDP by 2030, Qatar will grow and improve assets and attractions, including the addition of 105 new hotels and serviced apartments to its extensive growing portfolio. The strategy will enhance the end-to-end customer experience and deploy a tailored marketing strategy to target point-to-point and stopover visitors.
Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “As we work towards realising Qatar’s mission of becoming a world-class tourism destination, our international markets team will be the driving force in engaging key travel trade in key regions.
"Our aim is to promote Qatar’s new value proposition to tour operators, online travel agencies and consumers. We welcome international travellers to the country to experience Qatar's rich cultural heritage, unique hotels and resorts, incredible outdoor activities, beaches and multi-cultural culinary scene. In Qatar, visitors will truly Experience a World Beyond.”
Qatar is renowned for its warm hospitality and commitment to excellence, exemplified by its award-winning carrier Qatar Airways, which is the only airline to be voted World's Best Airline six times by Skytrax. This is further complimented by the airline's home and hub, Hamad International Airport, which was voted World's Best Airport in 2021 by Skytrax. Such accolades further reinforces the country's warm and hospitable reputation as it looks forward to welcoming tourists to the State of Qatar through a seamless journey.

LONDON, United Kingdom — The travel and tourism sector in the Caribbean is recovering at a faster rate than any other region in the world, with its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) expected to increase by just over 47 per cent this year, compared to 30.7 per cent globally, according to new research from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The council, which represents the global travel and tourism private sector and conducts research on the economic impact of the industry in 185 countries, noted that the recovery globally has been hindered by a lack of international coordination, severe travel restrictions and slower vaccination rates.
“However, the Caribbean is now benefiting from more relaxed restrictions around the world and low infection rates which are, in turn, boosting international travel spend and aiding the region's swift economic recovery,” the WTTC said this week.
The council said that the sector's contribution to the global economy this year will amount to US$1.4 trillion — mainly driven by domestic spending — while the Caribbean an expect a year-on-year increase of nearly US$12 billion, driven by both international and domestic travel spend.
“However, while the Caribbean is recovering faster than other regions, this is still below its performance in 2019, a record year for the sector, where travel and tourism represented more than 14 per cent of the region's GDP, contributing more than US$58 billion to its economy,” the WTTC said.
The research also reveals that at the current rate of recovery, travel and tourism's contribution to the Caribbean economy could see a further year-on-year increase of 28.7 per cent in 2022, representing a boost of US$10 billion.
The data also reveal that at the current rate of recovery international visitor spend across the region could see a year-on-year increase of 61.7 per cent in 2021, ahead of domestic spend which could climb 52.6 per cent.
“Next year, international spend can continue to rise with a further year-on-year jump of 43.1 per cent, with domestic spending also increasing by 13.6 per cent,” the WTTC said.
The council noted that last year, when restrictions brought much of international travel to a grinding halt, 680,000 tourism jobs were lost across the Caribbean, equating to almost a quarter of all jobs in the sector.
“However, this year the research reveals an expected 12 per cent rise in jobs — compared to a meagre 0.7 per cent globally — with a similar potential year-on-year jobs rise across the sector next year by a positive 11.5 per cent,” the WTTC said.
“Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic stole almost a quarter of all travel and tourism jobs from the region, but due to a significant increase in international and domestic spend, both jobs and GDP are on the rise,” said WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson.
Reacting to the research findings, that the introduction of enhanced health and safety protocols at the very beginning of the pandemic reassured travellers and are now helping to drive travellers back to the region, new WTTC Executive Committee member Adam Stewart said “Confidence and trust are what drive visitor arrivals, and are the key to keep our economies thriving in our region. ”
Stewart, the executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, said his hotel group credits its Caribbean-wide rebound largely to the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness which it introduced early in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the local ministries of health in the countries where Sandals operates.
“These enhanced measures are based on a thorough assessment of all points of guest contact, resulting in the integration of advanced hygiene practices across 18 key touchpoints — from airport arrival through to departure,” said Stewart who is also executive chairman of the Jamaica Observer.
“Our recently announced Sandals Vacation Assurance programme is a continuation of this effort to build trust and boost confidence,” he added.
According to the WTTC, the tourism sector's contribution to the region's GDP and the rise in jobs could be more positive this year and next, if five vital measures are met by governments around the world.
These measures include allowing fully vaccinated travellers to move freely, irrespective of their origin or eventual destination; the implementation of digital solutions which enable all travellers to easily prove their COVID-19 status, in turn speeding up the process at borders around the world; recognition of all vaccines authorized by the WHO; agreement from all relevant authorities that international travel is safe with enhanced health and safety protocols; and vaccine equity to ensure no region is left behind.
“The research shows that if these five vital rules are followed before the end of 2021, the impact on the economy and jobs could be considerable,” the WTTC said, pointing out that the sector's contribution to the economy could increase by 51.3 per cent this year (approximately US$13 billion), and a further year-on-year rise next year of 36.9 per cent (nearly US$14 billion).
“This, in turn, could have a positive effect on employment with 15 per cent increase in jobs this year and a year-on-year increase next year of 18.6 per cent to over 2.8 million, more than 75,000 jobs than in 2019 when travel and tourism was at its peak. 

The Cayman Islands border will reopen on the 20th November 2021, Premier Wayne Panton announced on Friday October 22nd 2021.
At that point, all quarantine requirements will be lifted for most vaccinated travellers entering the jurisdiction as the island moves to Phase 4 of government’s reopening plan.
The much-anticipated announcement, made at a government press briefing, paves the way for visitors to return to the islands.
There are still several restrictions in place, including testing requirements for arriving passengers. But the removal of quarantine is considered key to allowing tourism to resume. As it stands, children – who cannot be vaccinated – will not be able to come to the islands without quarantining, but Panton said this was being kept under consideration.
He said, “While we’ve had some visitors during the recent months, our tourism partners have always made it very clear that the real economic turnaround will come with the removal of quarantine for vaccinated travellers.
“This now gives us the opportunity as a country to rebuild our reputation, rebuild our world-class tourism destination and get many families and businesses back to work.”
He said Cayman was on the cusp of reaching the 80% vaccination target and he expects that threshold will be reached before 20 Nov.
Panton added that the government was moving forward cautiously with the health of the community as the number one priority.
“COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future. We know there’s no better time than now to continue with our reopening plan,” he said.
“We’ve looked at this issue every which way. We don’t see… a better time to do this. So this is our time. This is the moment that the country will go forward and succeed.”
Tourism minister targets recovery
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan confirmed that visitors will still be required to show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival and proof of vaccination.
With those conditions met, he said, “visitors will be allowed to head straight to their hotels to begin enjoying all that the Cayman Islands vacations have to offer.”
Bryan acknowledged that it had been a “long and difficult year” for tourism but highlighted the announcement of the reopening date and the return of commercial air services, which began last Saturday, as the beginning of the recovery.
“There are now four airlines with confirmed routes to the Cayman Islands, namely, British Airways, JetBlue, Air Canada and Cayman Airways. I thank these airlines for the confidence that they are showing in the government’s reopening strategy, and I hope that following today’s announcement, the other international carriers will consider bringing their return dates forward in line with the government’s commitment to reopening.”
Bryan said the ministry and department of tourism would continue to work with the private sector to fine-tune preparations to welcome back visitors.
As the tourism industry prepares for a “new reality of living with COVID”, he said vaccination levels in the industry were extremely high, mask mandates would be in place and that training was taking place to ensure safe interactions with visitors.
Lateral flow tests to be deployed
Health Minister Sabrina Turner said 29 additional staff had been hired to support the work of the Public Health Department.
She also revealed a $1 million budget to help support people who suffer financially after being forced to isolate because of COVID.
Turner said various modelling exercises of a potential COVID outbreak indicated Cayman was well equipped with enough beds and ventilators as well as medical personnel.
She said the ministry was “poised, prepared and funded” to procure further resources in case of a “surge scenario”.
Turner highlighted the arrival of rapid lateral flow tests as a “game changer” that was already helping to reduce the number of people in quarantine when a positive case is identified.
She said the Ministry of Education is in the process of implementing a policy for how the tests can be used to ensure continuity of learning. Turner said 20,000 tests are being made available to schools.
She said the tests would be distributed free of charge and would be a useful tool in the community alongside mask wearing, contact tracing and, where necessary, quarantine requirements to prevent the spread of the virus. Further details on how the tests will be used in the wider community are anticipated before reopening.
Deputy governor outlines plan
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson outlined some details of the plan designed to allow the country to reopen safely and not have to shut down again, something he said few countries in the world have achieved so far.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson at Friday’s press briefing. – Photo: Alvaro Serey
He said the Cayman Islands COVID-19 Critical Preparedness, Readiness and Response Plan would seek to ensure there was no significant escalation in serious cases once quarantine requirements are removed.
Manderson said the plan would include 10 key categories including policies to ensure continuity of essential services, healthcare systems and educational institutions, among others.
He added there would also be procedures for managing cases at hotels.
Manderson said the plan would be made public and feedback invited.
He added, “We are now engaging with the private sector, the people who are going to help us make this magic happen.”
Panton said vaccinated travellers from countries where at least 60% of the population had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine would not be required to quarantine upon arrival in Cayman. Also, passengers from countries with less than a 60% inoculation rate but who can provide electronically verifiable documentation that they had been vaccinated can also forego quarantine.
He added that there would be a portal through which travellers can upload their vaccination documentation, which Customs and Border Control will review. If approved, the travellers will be issued with a travel certification.
The premier said more details of the specifics of the reopening plan would be released in the coming days.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee meanwhile confirmed 34 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest round of testing, comprising four travellers and 30 community cases, including 11 children.
Individuals in quarantine either because they have come into contact with community transmission cases or there is a positive case in their families, and who need assistance with groceries or other deliveries, are now being advised to contact a newly set up Isolation Support Team. Previously, they had been advised to contact the Flu Hotline for assistance.
Danielle Coleman, director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands, said the Flu Hotline had been “somewhat overwhelmed” by the number of calls it has received recently, as the numbers of people in isolation grew.
As a result, a new dedicated support line has been established, she said. It can be contacted on 946-3530 or 1-800-534-3530, or via email on isolationsupport@gov.ky. 

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Maldives.
The economy is recovering after an unprecedented pandemic-induced fall in tourism. Real GDP contracted by 32 percent in 2020. The authorities deployed a prompt and comprehensive set of policy responses starting early 2020 that have helped to partially mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and maintain financial stability. These measures were complemented with a rapid rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program. Low aggregate demand, low oil prices, and price subsidies on utilities put inflation at -1.6 percent in 2020. A moderate economic recovery started with the reopening of the country to tourism since mid-July 2020, while both a longer than initially expected global pandemic and an ambitious infrastructure plan are further contributing to large pre-pandemic fiscal and external vulnerabilities.
The strong but still partial recovery in tourism has improved the growth outlook. Growth is projected at about 19 percent in 2021, and medium-term prospects remain positive. Inflation is projected at 1.4 percent in 2021 and to increase to 2.3 in 2022 on the back of higher commodity and food prices. Nonetheless, fiscal and external positions are projected to remain weak over the medium term, underpinned by capital expenditure plans. The Maldives remains at a high risk of external debt distress and a high overall risk of debt distress. The total public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) debt-to-GDP ratio increased from 78 percent in 2019 to 146 percent in 2020, reflecting mostly the contraction in nominal GDP, but also an expansion in nominal debt. PPG debt is projected at 123 percent of GDP in 2026. External financing needs have been large and dollar shortages have persisted, as reflected in large spreads in the parallel foreign exchange market. The recent USD 200 million Sukuk bond issuance on September 3, 2021 covers unsecured financing needs for 2021. The risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside with COVID-19 variants increasing the possibility of a protracted global pandemic, expenditure and policy pressures related to the 2023 presidential electoral cycle, and the uncertainty of vaccine coverage in many source tourism economies.
Executive Board Assessment
Executive Directors noted that the pandemic has hit the Maldives hard and welcomed the authorities’ prompt response to the pandemic as well as the rapid rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program, which helped save lives and alleviate the impact of the crisis on households and businesses. However, Directors noted that risks to the outlook are substantial. They called for prudent and well-coordinated fiscal and monetary policies to safeguard macroeconomic stability, restore debt sustainability and sustain the current exchange rate peg, while supporting sustainable growth.
Directors stressed the importance of ensuring fiscal and debt sustainability over the medium term. They noted that a combination of revenue and expenditure measures is needed to achieve a growth‑friendly fiscal consolidation. In this context, Directors emphasized the need to mobilize revenue and diversify the tax base toward domestic sources once the current crisis abates. They recommended rationalizing capital spending plans, further controlling current spending, and containing external and domestic borrowing. Directors cautioned against central bank financing of the government and encouraged developing a comprehensive debt management strategy, coupled with public financial management reforms, to manage the risks from large infrastructure projects and state-owned enterprises. They also saw the need to develop contingency plans in case downside risks materialize.
Directors agreed that a tighter monetary policy stance may be needed to ensure compatibility with the exchange rate peg, lower external imbalances and build‑up reserves. They supported the Maldives Monetary Authority’s ongoing efforts to modernize monetary policy and the foreign exchange operations framework, including those aimed at eliminating exchange rate restrictions and multiple currency practices.
Directors welcomed the steps to safeguard financial stability and encouraged further efforts to strengthen bank supervision, governance, transparency, and the AML/CFT framework. They welcomed that the Maldives has undertaken a Fiscal Transparency Evaluation mission and commended the authorities for their continued collaboration during capacity development activities.
Directors underscored the importance of addressing climate change-related vulnerabilities. In this regard, they welcomed the Strategic Action Plan, which sets goals on the blue economy, climate resilience and sustainability, and good governance, and their links to the sustainable development goals. However, Directors agreed with the authorities on the need to secure grants and concessional financing to address climate resilient investment needs in a sustainable manner given limited fiscal resources.

For full press release click here
​www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2021/10/07/pr21287-maldives-imf-executive-board-concludes-2021-article-iv-consultation?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news

Over 20 cruise ships are returning to service in October.
According to data from the October edition of the Cruise Ships in Service Report by Cruise Industry News, the big news for the month include not only the continued reintroduction of vessels sailing from U.S. ports, but also the return of cruising to China and the expansion of the offer in Europe.
Here are the details:
Ship: Zhao Shang Yi Dun (Viking Sun)
Cruise Line: Viking Cruises China Merchants
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 930
Built: 2017
Homeport: Shenzhen (China)
Itinerary: South China Domestic Cruises
First Cruise: October 1

Ship: Disney Wonder
Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 1,750
Built: 1999
Homeport: San Diego (United States)
Itinerary: Three- and four-night cruises to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas
First Cruise: October 1

Ship: Liberty of the Seas
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 3,600
Built: 2007
Homeport: Galveston (United States)
Itinerary: Seven-night Western Caribbean
First Cruise: October 3

Ship: Ventura
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises 
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 3,100
Built: 2008
Homeport: Southampton (England)
Itinerary: Western Europe, Mediterranean and Canary Islands
First Cruise: October 3

Ship: Carnival Freedom
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,974
Built: 2007
Homeport: Miami (United States)
Itinerary: Six- and eight-night Southern and Eastern Caribbean
First Cruise: October 9

Ship: Koningsdam
Cruise Line: Holland America Line
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,650
Built: 2016
Homeport: San Diego (United States)
Itinerary: Three- and four-night cruises to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas
First Cruise: October 10

Ship: Carnival Elation 
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,040
Built: 1998
Homeport: Port Canaveral (United States)
Itinerary: Four- and five-day cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean
First Cruise: October 11

​Ship: Azamara Journey
Cruise Line: Azamara
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 690
Built: 200
Homeport: Piraeus (Greece), Civitavecchia and Venice (Italy)
Itinerary: Greek Islands
First Cruise: October 13

Ship: Spectrum of the Seas
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,100
Built: 2019
Homeport: Hong Kong
Itinerary: Seacations for local residents
First Cruise: October 14

Ship: Seven Seas Explorer
Cruise Line: Regent Seven Seas
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 738
Built: 2016
Homeport: Barcelona (Spain), Trieste and Civitavecchia (Italy)
Itinerary: Western and Eastern Mediterranean
First Cruise: October 15

Ship: Riviera
Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 1,258
Built: 2012
Homeport: Istanbul (Turkey) and Trieste (Italy)
Itinerary: Eastern and Western Mediterranean
First Cruise: October 18

Ship: Norwegian Bliss
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200
Built: 2018
Homeport: Los Angeles (United States)
Itinerary: Mexican Riviera
First Cruise: October 24

Ship: Amadea
Cruise Line: Phoenix Reisen
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 570
Built: 1991
Homeport: Bremerhaven and Hamburg (Germany)
Itinerary: British Islands and Canaries
First Cruise: October 24

Ship: AIDAdiva
Cruise Line: AIDA Cruises
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,030
Built: 2007
Homeport: Rostock-Warnemunde (Germany) and La Romana (Dominican Republic)
Itinerary: Transatlantic crossing ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean
First Cruise: October 26

Ship: Ruby Princess
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 3,070
Built: 2008
Homeport: San Francisco (United States)
Itinerary: California Coast and Mexican Riviera
First Cruise: October 31

​Other vessels returning to service in October, after short operational pauses:

• Adventure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
• Serenade of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
• Majestic Princess (Princess Cruises)
• Scarlet Lady (Virgin Voyages)
• Asuka II (NYK Line)
• Viking Orion (Viking Cruises)
• Crystal Endeavor (Crystal Cruises)

UNWTO Tourism Barometer - Issue 5 - September 2021

• International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) dropped by 40% in January-July 2021 compared to the same period of 2020. Yet, this was still 80% below the levels of pre-pandemic year 2019.
• This sharp decline represents a loss of some 677 million international arrivals compared to the same seven months of 2019, or 110 million compared to 2020.
• After a weak start of the year, international tourism saw a gradual improvement during the months of June and July 2021, especially in Europe.
• These results were underpinned by the reopening of many destinations to international travel, mostly in Europe and the Americas. The relaxation of travel restrictions for vaccinated travellers, coupled with progress made in the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, contributed to lifting consumer confidence and gradually restoring safe mobility in Europe and other parts of the world. In contrast, most destinations in Asia remain closed to non-essential travel.
• Most destinations reporting data for June and July 2021 saw a moderate rebound in international tourist arrivals compared to the same months of 2020. Small islands in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia and the Pacific, together with a few small European destinations recorded the best performance in June and July according to available data, with arrivals coming close to, or sometimes exceeding pre[1]pandemic levels.
• Among the destinations reporting data, Albania (- 2%), Saint-Maarten (-4%), Aruba (-9%), Dominican Republic (-13%), Antigua and Barbuda (-14%), Andorra (-16%), Curaçao (-22%), Montenegro (- 33%), Maldives (-36%) and Seychelles (-39%) were the best performing destinations in the period June[1]July 2021, over the same two months of 2019.
• July (-67%) saw comparatively better performance than June (-77%), making it the best month so far since April 2020. An estimated 54 million tourists travelled across borders in July 2021, compared to 34 million in 2020, though well below the 164 million recorded in 2019.
• By regions, Europe and the Americas recorded the smallest decreases in international arrivals in June and July, supported by intraregional demand. Several large destinations contributed to these results, recovering in some cases up to 80% of 2019 levels in the month of July, including Mexico (-19%), Croatia (-22%), Turkey (-33%), Greece (-50%) and Spain (-55%).
• Asia and the Pacific continued to suffer the weakest results in the period January to July 2021, with a 95% drop in international arrivals compared to the same period in 2019. Only essential travel was recorded in many Asian destinations, as most countries remained closed to international travel. The Middle East (-82%) recorded the second largest decline in arrivals, followed by Europe and Africa (both -77%). The Americas (-68%) saw a comparatively smaller decrease.
• By sub-regions, the Caribbean (-52% over 2019) recorded the best relative performance in January[1]July 2021. Growing travel from the United States has benefitted destinations in the Caribbean and Central America, as well as Mexico. The Caribbean (+11%) as well as Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+1%) were the only sub-regions to record growth in Jan-July 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
• Most sub-regions saw comparatively better results in July than in June, with Southern and Mediterranean Europe, Central America and the Caribbean all posting decreases below 50% in July over 2019.
• Despite the relative improvement in performance over the low levels of 2020, international tourism remained overall well below 2019 results. This is reflected in the evaluation made by the UNWTO Panel of Experts in the September survey, showing mixed results for the period May-August 2021.
• Domestic travel continued to drive the recovery of tourism in several destinations, especially those with large domestic markets. In China and Russia, domestic air seat capacity already exceeded pre[1]crisis levels. However, the rebound in domestic travel in many markets has not compensated for the large drop in international tourism.
Modest improvement of international tourism receipts and expenditure in June and July
• Destinations continued to report weak international tourism receipts in the first seven months of 2021, though several countries did record a modest improvement in June and July, and some even surpassed the earnings of 2019. Among the larger destinations, Mexico earned roughly the same tourism receipts in June 2021 as in 2019, and in July posted a 3% increase over 2019.
• The same is true for outbound travel. Among the larger markets, France (-35%) and the United States (-49%) saw a significant improvement in July, though tourism spending was still well below 2019 levels. Other countries such as Portugal (-25%) and Ukraine (-35%) saw a significant improvement in July, though tourism spending was also below 2019 levels. Romania spent roughly the same amount on outbound tourism in July 2021 as in 2019.

Most revenue is generated from global cruise operations
Published October 01, 2021
Carnival Corp. (CCL) and Carnival Plc (CCL.L) operate a cruise line company that is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and as an American depositary share (ADS) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The dual-listed company functions as a single economic entity through contractual agreements of the two separate legal entities. Carnival Cruise Line is the company's leading brand, offering year-round cruises in The Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico, and seasonal cruises in Bermuda, the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. Its eight other brands are: Princess, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard, AIDA, Costa, P&O Cruises Australia, and P&O Cruises U.K.
Carnival faces direct competition within the cruise line industry from Royal Caribbean Group (RCL), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), and Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc. (LIND). But as part of the broader travel and tourism industry, the company also faces competition from operators of hotels, resorts, casinos, and theme parks. Carnival's indirect competitors include The Walt Disney Co. (DIS), Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), Marriott International Inc. (MAR), and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT).
KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Carnival operates a portfolio of cruise-line brands offering both year-round and seasonal cruises throughout the world.
• The company's North America & Australia cruise operations are its largest source of revenue.
• Carnival is gradually resuming guest operations on its cruise ships as the travel and tourism industry slowly recovers from the worst of the pandemic.
• The company's Seabourn brand announced the resumption of cruise operations of one of its ships beginning February 2022.

Carnival's Financials
Carnival announced in late September financial results for Q3 of its 2021 fiscal year (FY), the three-month period ended Aug. 31, 2021. While the report showed improvement, the company's revenue, net income and operating profit performance were dramatically weaker than before the COVID-19 pandemic started sweeping across the globe in early 2020. In Q3, Carnival reported a net loss of $2.8 billion, a slight improvement from the net loss of $2.9 billion reported in the year-ago quarter. Revenue rose more than 17.5 times to $546 million in the third quarter, rebounding significantly from last year. Carnival, which uses operating income as the profit metric for its individual business segments, reported an operating loss that narrowed to $2.1 billion from $2.3 billion in the same three-month period a year ago.
Carnival's core business, along with the rest of the cruise and travel and tourism industries, has been severely adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company halted its guest cruise operations in mid-March 2020. Eight of the company's nine brands have resumed guest cruise operations and 35% of its capacity is operating with guests on board as of Aug. 31, 2021. Carnival expects to post a net loss in both Q4 and FY 2021, which ends Nov. 30, 2021.
Carnival's Business Segments
Carnival operates four separate business segments: North America & Australia (NAA) cruise operations; Europe & Asia (EA) cruise operations; Cruise Support; and Tour and Other. The company provides a breakdown of revenue and operating income for each of these segments. Because all four segments posted an operating loss in Q3 FY 2021 a separate pie chart for operating income was excluded from the diagram above.
North America & Australia cruise operations
The NAA cruise operations segment is comprised of five of Carnival's nine cruise brands. Those brands, their total passenger capacity, and total number of ships as of Nov. 30, 2020, are: Carnival Cruise Line at 66,400 passengers and 23 ships; Princess Cruises, 42,610 passengers and 14 ships; Holland America Line, 18,820 passengers and 9 ships; P&O Cruises (Australia), 7,230 passengers and 3 ships; and Seabourn, 2,570 passengers and 5 ships.6 The NAA segment reported an operating loss of $1.3 billion in Q3 FY 2021 compared to an operating loss of $1.8 billion in the year-ago quarter. Revenue for the quarter expanded more than 18 times to $271 million, accounting for nearly 50% of companywide revenue.
Europe & Asia cruise operations
The EA cruise operations segment is comprised of Carnival's other four cruise brands. Those brands, their total passenger capacity, and total number of ships as of Nov. 30, 2020, are: Costa Cruises at 34,980 passengers and 11 ships; AIDA Cruises, 31,930 passengers and 14 ships; P&O Cruises (U.K.), 19,020 passengers and 6 ships; and Cunard, 6,830 passengers and 3 ships.6 The EA segment reported an operating loss of $696 million in Q3 FY 2021 compared to an operating loss of $465 million in the year-ago quarter. Quarterly revenue improved from -$4 million in the year-ago quarter to $232 million, comprising more than 42% of Carnival's total revenue.
Cruise Support
The Cruise Support segment is comprised of Carnival's portfolio of port destinations and other services, which operate in support of the company's cruise brands.6 The segment reported an operating loss of $94 million in Q3 FY 2021 compared to an operating loss of $86 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenue for the quarter rose 14 times to $14 million, accounting for less than 3% of total revenue.
Tour and Other
The Tour and Other segment is comprised of Carnival's tour company, Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, which operates in Alaska and the Canadian northwest territory of Yukon. The tour company owns and operates hotels, lodges, glass-domed railcars, and buses. It complements the company's Alaska cruise operations. The Tour and Other segment reported an operating loss of $10 million in Q3 FY 2021 compared to an operating loss of $11 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenue rose 40.0% year over year (YOY) to $28 million, accounting for about 5% of companywide revenue in the third quarter.
Carnival's Recent Developments
On Sept. 29, 2021, Carnival announced that the cruise ship Seabourn Encore will return to service on Feb. 19, 2022, about two months earlier than expected. The ship is part of the operations of Seabourn, the company's ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel brand. The Seabourn Encore will offer a series of 10- and 11-day itineraries to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean from Lisbon, Portugal. The return of Seabourn Encore will be the third ship in Seabourn's fleet to resume guest operations. 

Financial Performance 3rd Quarter 2021

Carnival Brands
www.carnivalcorp.com/corporate-information/our-brands

Carnival Annual Report 2020
www.carnivalcorp.com/static-files/48701769-9f2c-48c6-ac4f-4772bad2ff8b

Carnival Annual Report 2019
​www.carnivalcorp.com/static-files/9ba84dfd-b96a-486f-8617-34e49820077a