Kite travel news from ATOL bonded agent
Mid May update
Planet Kitesurf have been in operation since 2000, are well connected to most of the major kitesurfing travel destinations, and have a wealth of knowledge on what’s happening in the travel industry. They aim to keep everyone updated on how world travel is being affected by the coronavirus pandemic in view of getting you back at your dream kite locations as soon as it’s safe to.
Planet say:
In today’s world, there’s a lot of news out there and we know that sometimes it can be difficult to poke your head above the water. We also know that what you really want to know is when you can get out there and go kitesurfing again. We work with hotels and centres all around the world and have the inside scoop into whats happening in your favourite kitesurfing destinations. Here’s the latest travel news from some of your favourite kiting spots around the world:
FeelViana in Portugal Reopens in June
Slowly things are returning to a “new normality” in Portugal. Our favourite kitesurfing hotel in the country, Hotel FeelViana, has taken this difficult time to do all the improvements and works they were planning for during the year. This includes new improvements on the restaurant, breakfast, beach and cable bar and the water centre at the beach. Even though the hotel has invested a lot on new improvements, they will be maintaining their current prices through to 2021.
FeelViana Sport Hotel has the following opening dates for 2020:
– 4 May: Opening of the store and sports centre with sports activities
– 23 May: Opening of Restaurant, Tavern, Beach Bar, and Wakepark Bar
– 1 June: Complete re-opening of the hotel
The hotel has prepared an extensive manual with new safety measures and have a “Safe and Clean” certification from the Portuguese Tourism Board. In addition, full payment for any booking for accommodation at FeelViana with Planet will only be required 15 days before check-in.
Read KWs Travel Guide to Viana do Castelo
Mauritius On The Road To Re-open
No new COVID-19 cases have been registered during the past 17 days in Mauritius and there are currently no active COVID-19 patients. Despite this encouraging trend, local authorities in Mauritius have extended the sanitary curfew until 01 June, with certain essential services and offices resuming gradually as from 15 May. Currently, sports centres in the country remain closed and there is, as yet, no set date on when borders will be reopened, although airlines like Air France and Emirates are planning flights as from mid. June/early July.
Our favourite hotel, located virtually on the spot at Le Morne, the St Regis Mauritius, is offering free cancellation 7 days before your arrival for any COVID-19 related changes. So you can start planning a kiting getaway to one of the best spots on the Planet and rest assured you’ll be covered if your trip can’t go ahead!
Read KWs Travel Guide to Mauritius
Sri Lanka and the Maldives have Minimal Cases
As we head into another week of lockdown we are starting to see a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. While we don’t know when restrictions will be fully lifted and travel will resume, things are looking good in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Sri Lanka is showing clear signs of flattening the curve. The daily new cases are down from 65 a day to just 6. As of 13 May 2020, they have a total of 915 cases, 9 deaths and 445 cases successfully recovered. The Maldives sadly saw its first community case in the capital only two weeks ago. Contract tracing is underway, and all positive cases are now isolated in a separate quarantine island away from the general population. They have a total of 955 cases, 4 deaths and 40 cases successfully recovered as of 13 May 2020. The government measures are working as new cases are less than 6 a day.
We are hoping that these destinations will have their borders open to most countries when flight restrictions are lifted around July. The appeal of the Indian Ocean in the post-COVID world is a safe, secluded place with no over-tourism, perfect for that wellness break. Both destinations also already have great special offers for anyone looking at booking in advance for that 2021 getaway.
Read KWs Travel Guide to Mannar and Kalpitiya
Cape Verde Looks Ahead to 2021
In consideration of recent proclamations and directives issued by the Government of Cape Verde to prevent the spread of COVID-19, top kiting hotel in Sal, Hotel Morabeza, has decided to extend their closure to July 11th 2020. However, this date remains subject to the decisions that the Cape Verdean government takes with regards to its borders and the resumption of aviation activity.
This luxury property is, however, looking forward to 2021 and have extended their special offer for Planet guests. Booking with us for a stay up until the end of October 2021 and only pay for 6 nights when you stay 7!
Read KWs Travel Guide to Sal and Boa Vista
No Cases in Dakhla
Dakhla, with its year-round wind and super-flat lagoon, is one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world. Dakhla is the region of Morocco where COVID-19 has struck the least. Only two cases were recorded and these two people recovered after medical and clinical tests which confirmed their complete remission. The region, therefore, becomes safe again with zero cases now. The region is nevertheless very serious about respecting the measures imposed by the Ministry of Health and that of the Interior.
October half-term bookings for Dakhla are filling up fast with very little accommodation left so if you are looking for Dakhla for a getaway later this year or even early in 2021 you need to think about booking it now.
Read KWs Travel Guide to Dakhla
The situation is constantly changing as you know, so keep checking Planet’s site for the latest updates: www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
CLICK HERE TO GET THIS NEW ISSUE AND OUR 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE FOR FREE!
