Cruise ships are in the revival mode

In early 2020s, cruise ships were in the news for all the wrong reasons. Some people even went to the extent of predicting the industry would never recover. There were news related to outbreaks, port refusals, travelers stuck onboard. Fans of cruises say all that is ancient history. As a Singaporean said - “Given a choice, we would be living on the cruise ship for the remainder of our lives.” He goes on to add that those are issues of 2020 and “not of any concern” today because people are vaccinated and they observe personal health protocols.” He and his wife loves cruises and have already planned three cruises through 2023. They love to wake up in a different country the next day. A recent report mentioned about COVID-19 outbreak in a cruise ship circumnavigating Australia. According to a survey published by Cruiseline.com and the booking app Shipmate, 91 percent of respondents planned to take a cruise by 2023. Afraid to cruise? Not at all, say fans who are causing ‘an explosion of bookings’.

Arrivia is a travel loyalty provider. It operates programs for American Express, Bank of America and USAA and 75 percent of members indicated plans to cruise in the next two years. Moreover, regular leisure travelers are also open to cruising again. The fear of the pandemic gradually reduced. An example is an Indian national who said he had “no qualms” about cruising this month with his family – it was his first cruise ever. He said he felt safe and that his family wore masks in crowded areas and might cruise again next year. A market research provider says the global cruising industry will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2027. In Asia, the problem is due “mainly to the slow recovery in China … due to the strict zero-tolerance COVID-19 policies.”

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Bristol Zoo, the fifth oldest zoo in the world, to close after 186 years

The zoo appears to be losing its charm. Children used to be eagerly waiting to go to the zoo and see the wild animals. However, in the age of smartphones and TV, they now have many more options and visiting the zoo is no longer attractive. This is borne out by the closure of the186 year old Bristol Zoo in Clifton. It seems this is the fifth oldest zoo in the world. There are many original Victorian buildings in its premises. These are the gatehouse, the old giraffe house and its monkey temple. One of the reasons cited by the Bristol Zoological Society for the closure is the financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The society plans to focus its resources on its site in south Gloucestershire. This site was not open to the visitor but its use was restricted to breeding and quarantine purposes. In fact, it was a sort of nursery for Bristol Zoo’s botanical gardens, apart from growing fodder for its animals. In 2008, the society put up plans to the council for constructing a walking safari park. That led to the Wild Place Project five years later. Staff at the zoo are sad to be leaving the famous Bristol city site. It retains its Victorian walls. Bristol Zoo closing for good after 186 years as it's hammered by pandemic. The Bristol Zoo was originally a sort of menagerie. Those associated with the zoo are looking forward to the conservation opportunities that would be available in the more spacious facilities in Gloucestershire.

Dr Grainne McCabe is head of field conservation and science. When asked what she is most excited about with the big move, she replied - “One of the best things I think about Wild Place is it will be much more like what I feel like when I go in the forest in the wild to see the animals. She might walk into …. you may see the animal, you may not. She admits some of the animals might struggle with the change. However, it will be a much, much more enjoyable experience for them. This is because they would be in a more natural enclosure. The overall objective is to get the animals linked to the conservation work.

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Bali converts Boeing aircraft to tourist destination and Singapore Airlines converted Airbus into restaurant

Aircraft like Boeing and Airbus are designed to carry passengers who love to use the aerial route to travel from one place to another. These patrons value their time and want to reach their destination at the earliest. To them, time is money and they bring in revenue for the airlines. However, a time comes when these aircraft are used for purposes other than flying. One such example has become news. It seems inhabitants in Bali are witness to such a situation. Bali inhabitants baffled by Boeing 737 resting in field. Its location is near the popular Pandawa beach in a limestone quarry close to a highway. Its front portion has runway steps leaning against it. Incidentally, it has become a popular tourist destination. Its origin remains a mystery.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore Airlines had the bright idea of converting two of its Airbus into restaurants. It was to allow people to enjoy the thrill of dining in a different surrounding. Travel-starved diners eat in parked jets turned into restaurants. it was a huge success and travel-starved diners enjoyed the unique experience. At that time, the aviation industry was in a crisis and had to dream up strategies to remain visible. The airline was the flag carrier of Singapore and it offered passengers the chance to dine on board two A380 superjumbos -- the world's biggest passenger jet.

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From 1st of April COVID-19 has vanished

It is official that the pandemic that had made life miserable has become a thong of the past. Social distancing has gone, as have new concepts of online education. Students are excited to be back among their friends and not remain cooped up in their under the constant glare of elders. It was a testing tune for the elders who had to adjust to a new culture called work from home. They also missed the office culture of spying on colleagues and pulling the rug from under the feet of some of them.

Life is back to normal as is evident from the traffic on the roads and the hustle and bustle of people. The best part is the sports arena. Right now, it is cricket time and cricket means Indian Premier League IPL – the magic wand that turns youngsters into millionaires overnight. Let us hope another virus like COVID does not strike again.


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