Thailand is preparing to welcome back tourists

Thailand will start issuing special visas to foreign tourists starting October, easing a more than five-month-old ban on visitors. Globe Aware provides two volunteer vacations in Thailand is excited move forward with this new travel update.


Thailand Moves a Step Closer to Welcoming Back Foreign Tourists

Bloomberg
Natnicha Chuwiruch and Suttinee Yuvejwattana
Bloomberg

September 15, 2020

(Bloomberg) — Thailand will start issuing special visas to foreign tourists starting October, easing a more than five-month-old ban on visitors to revive the nation’s ailing tourism-reliant economy.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s cabinet approved a proposal to issue visas to tourists planning to stay between 90 and 280 days in Thailand, according to government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. The tourists will undergo a mandatory 14-day state quarantine on arrival at partner hotels or hospitals and follow health and safety regulations, she said.

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Countries re-opening to tourism as lockdown restrictions are eased

As lock down restrictions are eased in many countries, borders are being opened up again too. Many countries rely heavily on travelers during the summer therefore it is vital for the economy to get tourists vacationing back in their country again.


Where can I travel this summer? Countries open for tourism

June 15, 2020

The coronavirus has forced several countries to close borders and airline companies to ground flights but what countries can I travel to this summer?

The coronavirus continues to spread in some areas of the world and is fluctuating in others from week to week. As lockdown restrictions are eased in many cities and countries, borders are being opened up again too. Many countries rely heavily on tourism during the summer with Spain, for example, relying on the tourism industry for €159 billion a year and 2.65 million jobs. Therefore, it is seen as pertinent to the health of the economy to get tourists back into the country.

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Globe Aware volunteer recognized for community service, awarded scholarship

Globe Aware volunteer recognized for community service will share in a Lions Club scholarship as she prepares to attend Duke University.


Saratoga Lions Club Awards 2020 Scholarships

THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2020
BY SARATOGA TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Lions Club Scholarship Committee proudly presents $32,500 in academic awards to seven Saratoga Springs High School Seniors. All seven seniors are pursuing four-years + in academic programs with diverse fields of study.

It is disappointing that the annual Lions awards luncheon was unable to be held this June, however, we are anxious to share these students and the honor they receive for their hard work and perseverance during this difficult senior year.

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How the Travel Industry Can Do Its Part in the Fight Against Racism

Racism, like in many other sectors of society, has been built into the travel industry. Globe Aware, a nonprofit that specializes in volunteer vacations, takes their responsibility to be anti-racist seriously.


How the Travel Industry Can Do Its Part in the Fight Against Racism

ALEX TEMBLADOR
JUNE 02, 2020
TravelPulse.com

One of the first features I wrote about the subject of race and racism in the travel industry, a travel executive reached out to me to ask me who or what had made me so angry to write the piece. As a brown woman of color, he was essentially inferring that I was an “angry brown woman,” a stereotype that has long been used to highlight women of color who discuss controversial topics such as racism.

To say that I wasn’t surprised by his reaction is accurate. The travel industry tends to think of itself as a space of leisure, fun, and escape where such things like racism are left behind for good times. The problem is, for black individuals and people of color, escaping racism is not something they can do by taking a vacation. Racism, like in many other sectors of society, has been built into the travel industry, both knowingly and unknowingly.

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Is it safe to travel now?

Travel is slowly starting up again and people locked down for months want to go out, whether its a road trip or international volunteer vacation. Learn how you can safely explore the world without endangering yourself or others.


Is it safe to travel now? It depends.

Here are the best practices for getting on the road without endangering your health—or anyone else’s.

BY JOHANNA READ
National Geographic

PUBLISHED MAY 28, 2020

ALTHOUGH MANY RESTRICTIONS are still in place, travel is slowly starting up again. People locked down for months want to stretch their legs, see something other than a screen, and boost the economy. Restaurants and some tourist attractions (Florida’s Universal Orlando Resort, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston) are opening for local and domestic travel. A few countries (Greece, Italy) are starting to welcome international travelers.

But how can you safely explore a world of potentially deadly encounters with friendly people who might infect you (or who you might expose to the virus)? Is the airplane really a soaring petri dish? Is visiting a national park possible while social distancing? And if you choose a seemingly safer road trip, can you stop to use a public restroom?

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Thailand Reopening to tourists after COVID-19 closure

Once Thailand opens to international tourists, they’ll likely only be able to visit certain vacation spots. This will be beneficial for both tourists and local residents, Globe Aware will continue to track when volunteer vacations can resume in their Thailand locations as well.


THAILAND REOPENING TO TOURISTS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

MAY 29, 2020

TREVOR KUCHERAN
TRAVEL NEWS

The Thailand Tourism Authority has said that tourists will have to wait a few more months before visiting.

The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said that tourism could return in the fourth quarter of this year.

Here is everything you need to know about Thailand reopening to tourists and what to expect when one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world opens their border.

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‘Travel Bubbles’ may allow for safe air travel

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation to tourist destinations such as Mexico and South America, it’s time to consider creating “travel bubbles. Volunteer vacation destinations closer to the U.S.’s proximity may be more likely to open for travel.


U.S. ‘Travel Bubbles’ Would Let Us Fly Safely and Bring Back Millions of Jobs

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation to tourist destinations in Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America, it’s time to consider creating “travel bubbles.

Andres Oppenheimer
Miami Herald (TNS)
May 26, 2020

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation to tourist destinations in Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America, it’s time to consider creating “travel bubbles” — or corridors — between countries. That’s what Australia and New Zealand have just done, and it should be done everywhere.

Granted, it may be too soon to expect a significant resumption of international travel in the Americas. But it’s time to start planning for it.

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Coronavirus will reshape travel

Coronavirus will change your next volunteer vacation because you may be paying less for travel, and there will be more flexibility. Larger gatherings like festivals and concerts will not be at the forefront of many people’s travel plans.


Coronavirus will reshape your next trip, for better or worse. Here’s what to expect

Christopher Elliott
Special to USA TODAY

Henry Perez’ summer vacation will be a little different this year. In addition to packing his swimsuit and camera for an Eastern Caribbean cruise this August, he’s also planning to bring plenty of masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant.

“I will now personally sanitize my whole stateroom,” says Perez, who works for an extermination company in Boston. “The attendants do a good job, but I want that extra layer of security.”

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Volunteer vacations to bridge the generational gap

Grandparents have little in common with their grandchildren, or so it seems. It may just take a shared experience such as a volunteer vacation in Guatemala to brdge the generational gap.


 Memories worth making

The gap in relating with grandchildren has grown so much wider in the last couple of decades due to the domination of technology in the younger generations. Some grandparents may struggle to relate to the world their grandchildren now live in. Despite this gap in understanding each other, there are still ways to come together, share experiences and make memories that will bring them closer together.

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Top-trending Travel Locations 2020

India has many wonderful, magical travel destinations. Globe Aware offers volunteer vacations in this diverse, culturally-significant country.


Kochi or Cochin was voted the year' s trending destinations in the TripAdvisor' s Travelers' Choice Awards 2020.

By Clinton Moodle
Feb 27, 2020
Source: IOL

The city in southwest India’s coastal Kerala state saw the biggest spike in reviews and ratings on the travel website. And, judging by its many attractions, there' s plenty to keep you occupied.

TripAdvisor revealed why travellers were enticed by this Indian city:

"A blending of several small villages on the southwestern coast created the current incarnation of Kochi (or Cochin), where sunset strolls, sampling fresh fish from seaside vendors and boat rides through the islands just offshore top visitors’ to-do lists.

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