Age Of Caution

Some countries are already lifting border restrictions and gradually opening businesses amid the covid-19 outbreak, but many are eagerly wondering: is it wise to travel now? Most airlines and hospitality establishments choose to be tight-lipped about the issue, and instead, focus on upping their sanitation protocols to a hilt.

- Ara Luna-Reston

A LIFE-THREATENING PANDEMIC

A life-threatening pandemic is upon us, and it is showing no signs of slowing the economic upheaval. Depending on the country’s COVID-19 response, several nations have been successful in curbing the spread of the virus, while others are struggling to keep the number of cases down. Regardless of how dire or good each country is responding to the ravages of this disease, hotels are beginning to open their doors again, and airlines are gradually plowing the skies.

Both sectors are raring to reclaim their share of the global revenue pie. While some may argue that extending nationwide lockdowns is crucial until a vaccine is discovered, the travel landscape seems to refuse to be bogged down by uncertainty. And with reinvigorated security and health measures in place, hotels and airlines are keeping their head above water as they resiliently adjust in this new reality.

First Point of Contact

Maxim Tint was aboard an international flight six years ago when the idea for GTRIIP dawned on him. The CEO and founder of the digital identity platform was mid-jot on his passenger arrival card when he realized in frustration that he’d be filling out another form with the same particulars upon hotel arrival.

“What really bothered me was the fact that my details are already online, yet I was still doing manual data entry repeatedly,” the Myanmar native shares. “I come from a data-building warehouse systems background, so I knew there was a better way to do this menial task.”