Fast Five Travel News Stories of November
The current predicament of the coronavirus has impacted the travel industry heavily, but currently, many milestones are taking place that we can look forward to. We have compiled five interesting stories from around the world to get you excited about what the travel industry has in store for the future.
Here are the latest travel developments of November:
1. Virgin Hyperloop Completes its First Journey with Passengers
On November 8, Virgin Hyperloop completed its first journey carrying passengers on its test track in Las Vegas, marking a tremendous milestone in high-speed travel. The test ride, which lasted 15 seconds, reached speeds of 172 km/h. Virgin predicts that the hyperloop will attain speeds of 1,080 kilometres in an hour; proposing a 45-minute travel time from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The system doesn’t produce any carbon emissions and employs magnetic levitation to achieve the speeds, similar to those used in advanced high-speed trains in Japan.
Tip: We can’t yet say much about the comfort of travelling in the Hyperloop, but maybe you want to know how it is to fly First Class?
2. South Africa Opens its Borders to Tourists
Following the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement, the country opened its borders to tourists on November 12. Travellers must follow strict health protocols such as presenting a negative Covid-19 test before departure (taken no more than 72 hours prior) or quarantine on arrival in South Africa. Travellers arriving in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban must adhere to the safety guidelines in place, which include midnight curfews and wearing face masks in public. Tourists are also required to have appropriate health insurance.
Tip: The re-opening of some of our favourite countries is something to look forward to. Check out when your bucketlist destinations are expected to open again.
3. Mauritius Launches Nomad Visa for Remote Workers
The Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius has just launched a Premium Visa which offers a renewable 12-month residency for people wishing to relocate for work, leisure or retirement, including digital nomads. Applicants must have proof of his/her long stay plans and sufficient travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay. The visa is free and you can get more information and apply here.
Tip: Are you interested in working from abroad? Several countries around the world have launched remote work visas for foreigners in efforts to stimulate their economies. Take a look at some of the countries and their long-term visa schemes to see which interests you.
4. British Airways Launches Line of Travel Items
British Airways recently released a line of items for sale which were once onboard its now-retired Boeing 747 aircraft. The items on offer include crockery, towels, champagne flutes, brandy glasses and more. The airline is even selling luxury items, such as the aircraft’s food and drink trolleys for £250 and £200 respectively. The items are available for purchase at WhataBuy; a great gift for those who miss travelling.
Tip: Need more ideas about travelling from home? Here's how to statisfy your wanderlust at home.
5. Japan has launched a luxury sightseeing train in Kyushu
Japan has launched a brand new luxury sightseeing train in Kyushu. The locomotive will offer tours around seven Kyushu prefectures and comes with a lounge and buffet room where passengers can enjoy sake and refreshments. The train consists of 6 cars; with cars 1 to 3 containing private compartments, car 4 housing the lounge, and car 5 and 6 comprising of regular seating. The journey costs start at 12,000yen (£86) for adults (including tax and a meal) and 8,500 yen (£61) for children.
Want to get a head start on planning your 2021 travels? Check our our blog on the top 5 tips on travelling to Japan.
You’re all caught up with the travel news around the world. We hope that reading some of these stories got you excited about travelling in the future. If you enjoyed reading this article, check out our September and October compilations. To get updates and be notified of changes in the travel industry, sign up for our weekly newsletter.