IATA health passport gains traction

Approximately 20 airlines have agreed with IATA that they will begin using the IATA app that allows passengers to securely store and share their vaccine and test records needed to travel internationally. IATA says it is in talks with 30 to 40 other carriers.

Michael Duck’s update on the Asian market

Exhibition World interviews industry veteran Michael Duck. He offers a thorough overview of the state of the industry in Asia. He looks back at the 2003 SARS outbreak and compares it with the current pandemic and sees pent-up demand waiting for us on the other side of COVID-19.

Jim Rogers on the future of India, Japan and inflation outlook

He is not always correct, but Jim Rogers’ views are worth a look. This time he is surprisingly upbeat about India, although he sees decades of doom and gloom for Japan. He also predicts inflation ahead and a stronger U.S. dollar. And perhaps his most audacious (ridiculous) call: he likes Russia in the decade ahead. Good luck with that.

Malaysia and Indonesia to open travel bubble

Neither Malaysia nor Indonesia have COVID-19 particularly well under control, but the two countries have decided to press ahead with a travel bubble. The move is being welcomed by local industry associations.

U.K. considers rapid testing for mass gatherings

The U.K. is considering deploying rapid COVID-19 testing in order to allow mass gatherings to resume later this year. Hopefully, markets in Asia will take notice of this and consider it as a viable path to return to allowing business events.