TRAVEL BRIEFS
Thai elephants to liven up Zoom calls
Remote workers tired of staring at their colleagues' book shelves can now kick up their daily meetings with a 3,000-kilogram elephant. An Australian animal charity has teamed up with an elephant camp and resort in Thailand for the online gimmick. Participants in Walking With Giants will stroll alongside the animals as they go about their day at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. Experts will also be on hand for a Q&A session. Spokesman John Roberts told the South China Morning Post the aim is to raise funds to care for the elephants as coronavirus travel restrictions affect visitor numbers. “The initial concept was there being an elephant on the screen in a Zoom meeting and a surprise for everyone (taking part),” he said. The non-profit Human Elephant Learning Programmes Foundation is partnering in the project to ensure the 23 elephants at the 80-hectare reserve are properly cared for amid the collapse in international tourism. It's estimated at least 85 elephant camps have already closed in the southeast Asian country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ladies and gentlemen: You're history
“Ladies and gentlemen, your time is up.” In a move to adopt
gender-neutral language, Japan Airlines is dropping its traditional salutations on flights and in airports worldwide. JAL said it will in future use inclusive greetings such as “welcome, everyone” and “attention all passengers” as part of the Tokyo-based airline's campaign of gender parity. It has already announced that female flight attendants will have the option of wearing skirts or trou
sers, CNN reported. JAL spokesman Yutaro Iwasaki said: “We have been promoting diversity in the community since 2014, and this is one of our actions taken to treat everyone the same regardless of gender.” Air Canada dropped references to ladies and gentleman for “everybody” and “tout le monde” in 2019, citing efforts to be more inclusive and respectful of those who “identify with gender X.” But the move sparked backlash online, with critics describing it as the “wokening of corporate Canada.” In Europe, budget carrier easyjet said it had “provided guidance” on using inclusive terminology.
COVID-19 coverage a perk at more airlines
Forget designer slippers — today's most sought-after airline perk is a coronavirus medical cover. Air Arabia said it will offer a free medical cover for COVID-19 related expenses to all passengers travelling from Sharjah, the third-largest city in the United Arab Emirates, and the capital, Abu Dhabi. The insurance will cover medical treatment and quarantine costs for any traveller diagnosed with the virus during their trip and will be valid for 31 days, The National said. It applies to all destinations. “The new COVID-19 global assistance cover underlines our commitment to customers in helping them travel with confidence and ease of mind,” said the airline's chief executive Adel Al Ali. Under the plans, passengers can claim $50 for each day that they have to spend in quarantine, up to a maximum of 14 days, and up to $20,000 for medical bills, the Gulf-based publication reported. Middle East carriers Emirates and Etihad have previously rolled out similar pandemic-inspired medical benefits. Canadian airlines including Westjet and Air Canada have announced similar policies in recent weeks amid slumping demand from snowbirds heading south. Experts warn, though, that these insurance packages will only cover medical emergencies related to the coronavirus and should in no way be confused with general travel insurance.