TOURIST LIFE TRAVEL & TOUR

By Getachew Teklu

Ethiopian cuisine offers a diverse range of delicious dishes. Here are five of the most popular and iconic dishes in Ethiopia:

1. Injera: As mentioned earlier, injera is a sourdough flatbread that serves as the foundation for Ethiopian meals. It is often used as a utensil to scoop up various stews and side dishes. Injera is a staple of Ethiopian cuisine and is enjoyed at every meal.
2. Doro Wat: Doro wat is a rich and spicy chicken stew that is considered one of Ethiopia’s national dishes. It is made with chicken cooked in a flavorful sauce made from berbere spice, onions, garlic, and ginger. It is typically served with injera and sometimes accompanied by hard-boiled eggs.
3. Kitfo: Kitfo is a dish made from minced raw meat, often beef, and mixed with spices. It is like steak tartare but has its unique Ethiopian flavors, including mitmita (a chili pepper powder) and niter kibbeh (clarified spiced butter). Kitfo can be served raw, lightly cooked, or fully cooked to cater to different preferences.
4. Shiro: Shiro is a popular vegetarian dish in Ethiopia made from ground chickpeas or lentils. It is cooked into a thick stew with the addition of spices and niter kibbeh. Shiro can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side dish and is commonly served with injera.
5. Tibs: Tibs are stir-fried or grilled pieces of meat, often beef, lamb, or goat, seasoned with spices, onions, and sometimes peppers. Tibs can be served in a range of styles, such as Awaze Tibs (with a spicy sauce) or Kitfo Tibs (cooked like kitfo but with small pieces of meat). It is a popular dish that highlights the flavors of Ethiopian spices.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious dishes you can find in Ethiopian cuisine. Ethiopian food is known for its vibrant flavors and communal dining style, where people share their meals on a common plate or injera.

In addition to injera, Ethiopia offers a wide variety of flavorful and aromatic dishes, including doro wat (a spicy chicken stew), kitfo (minced raw meat mixed with spices), shiro (a chickpea or lentil stew), and a variety of vegetable and lentil dishes. Ethiopian cuisine is also known for its use of berbere spice blend, a fiery mixture of chili peppers and other spices, which adds a distinctive heat and flavor to many dishes. Coffee is another significant aspect of Ethiopian culture, and the country is known for its traditional coffee ceremonies.

By Getachew Teklu

From family vacations to business trips, travel insurance gives people the peace of mind that they are protected from unforeseen circumstances. These are some of the top reasons to purchase trip insurance.

1. Trip Cancellation Or Interruption

With any kind of prepaid travel plans, trip interruption or cancellation usually comes with hefty fees or may not be refundable.

Trip cancellation coverage allows you to cancel your trip for covered reasons and be reimbursed (pre-departure). If a traveler is unable to make the trip due to health reasons, a death in the family, work changes or other covered reasons preventing arrival at the destination, trip cancellation coverage pays for the financial loss.

Trip interruption coverage allows you to cancel your trip for covered reasons and return home (while you are on the trip) while reimbursing your at risk trip costs and some or all of the costs to return home. If a traveler has to cancel their trip and return home while on their trip for covered reasons such as medical issues, death of a non traveling family member or other circumstances, they can be reimbursed for the unused portion of their trip costs as well as costs to return home, which can be steep at the last minute.

The covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption vary by policy and can be seen by clicking on the trip cancellation or trip interruption benefit when quoting on our site.

Travelers who want to ensure full coverage can buy a “cancel for any reason” policy for a higher fee.

2. Medical Issues

It is common for people to get sick in foreign destinations. When an injury or major illness occurs abroad, most domestic health insurance companies won’t cover care from foreign providers. Medicare does not provide coverage abroad. However, medical travel insurance is a must when traveling to at-risk countries. The U.S. State Department issues updated warnings about at-risk areas. Medical travel insurance typically covers new illnesses, routine care and emergencies sicknesses and accidents/injuries. Pre-existing conditions are covered by some policies if you purchase it within a set amount of days of your trip payment date.

3. Lost or Delayed Luggage

Luggage may be lost, damaged or delayed while on your journey. When this happens, baggage insurance covers the lost or damaged items along with providing daily dollar amounts for purchasing essentials while you are without your delayed belongings. Home insurance might cover certain baggage items depending on the insurance company although most travelers find that the exclusions list leaves them not covered. Baggage insurance can cover what is not covered by a home insurance policy.

4. Other Coverage

Those are three of the most important types of coverage to have in a travel insurance policy. Most policies come with additional forms of coverage, and they are often bundled together in different tiers. These are some additional types of helpful coverage:

• Terrorism insurance covers non-refundable fees if a destination experiences a terror attack.
• Trip delay coverage can cover meals and hotel expenses when you are delayed beyond a set period of time.
• Medical evacuation insurance covers the cost to transport a traveler out of an area after experiencing destination-induced medical issues.
• Financial default insurance covers any money paid to a company that closes due to bankruptcy.
• Missed connection coverage can reimburse you for additional fees paid if you miss your connection due to bad weather and other circumstances.

To select an optimal policy, always read the terms carefully. Compare policies to see which ones offer the most useful inclusions for individual needs.

Photo: MICHAEL TEWELDE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

For much of the past four decades, Menelik Palace loomed over Addis Ababa as a symbol of imperial imposition. Now, nearly two years into his term and with a Nobel Peace Prize already under his belt, the country’s reformist prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, has opened the 19th-century palace to the public and tapped local artist Elias Sime to build a public garden, slated to open midyear alongside the once-forbidding space. It’s the latest sign that something has shifted in Ethiopia’s capital — and thanks to a major expansion of Addis Ababa’s airport that’s tripled capacity and brought new routes, U.S. travelers can easily witness the change firsthand. Last year, Sime and his partner, the curator and cultural anthropologist Meskerem Assegued, opened the Zoma Museum after a 20-year planning and building process. Situated in the Mekanisa neighborhood, the museum blends Ethiopia old and new, using vernacular architecture as a backdrop for contemporary art — including some of Sime’s own pieces. In its attention to both traditional and modern influences, Zoma parallels the aims of Addis Foto Fest, a biennial photography festival that will be held again in December 2020. Until then, find work by the country’s finest artists on display at institutions such as St. George Gallery, Addis Fine Art, and LeLa Gallery. —Hannah Giorgis

by Daniel McCarthy 

The 24-hour inbound testing requirement is the single biggest barrier to the travel industry’s full recovery in the U.S., and it is time for the White House to remove the requirement for vaccinated travelers.

That’s the message in a new article from Zane Kerby, the president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), published on Thursday.

Kerby wrote that the 24-hour requirement, which was a 72-hour requirement until late last year, represents a practical challenge for many Americans and a missed opportunity for the White House, which has continuously pushed for incentives to get more Americans vaccinated (the vaccination rate in the U.S. has sat in the low 60% range for months).

“If the Administration is serious about achieving its primary policy goal of getting more Americans vaccinated, it should rescind the CDC’s testing requirement for those U.S. citizens who are fully vaccinated,” Kerby wrote.

Doing that will “re-open the world to 200 million Americans (95 million of whom traveled abroad in 2019) who are already vaccinated but hesitant to risk being ‘stuck’ abroad,” he added.

The CDC has been slow to change its rules—CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told Yahoo Finance earlier this month that while it was optimistic about the decline in COVID-19 cases, a continued uncertainty has prevented it from removing requirements, including the testing requirement.

Kerby added in his message that vaccinated and boosted travelers, who are 13 times less likely to test positive for OCVID, 16 times less likely to be hospitalized, and 68 times less likely to die from getting COVID, have already “done their part…yet the inbound testing requirement applies to all.”

“The solution is simple and within our reach: exempt fully vaccinated travelers from the inbound testing requirement now,” he added.

Other countries have already started to wind down requirements.

Canada said it will remove its PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travelers starting on Feb. 28 (rapid tests taken the day before arriving in the country will be allowed instead). The United Kingdom also has already exempted fully vaccinated travelers from its testing

By Jesse Clark

According to national data, just under one-third of all Americans are now fully vaccinated
against the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC has indicated that fully vaccinated Americans
can now travel safely within the United States. However, the pandemic is not over, and Mayo
Clinic notes travelers should still plan to take safety precautions. But they can still get away
affordably and safely with sensible planning.

1. Get Vaccinated
   The CDC currently recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. A person is fully
   vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of two-dose vaccines, such as Moderna or
   Pfizer, or 14 days after receiving a single-dose shot, such as Johnson & Johnson. The vaccine
   is available at no cost from a variety of providers, and in convenient locations like your local
   Walmart or CVS.
2. Wear a Mask
   Buses, subways and rideshare vehicles are particularly budget-friendly modes of travel, but all
   members of your traveling party, except for children under the age of two or persons who

cannot wear a face covering safely due to a disability, should wear a mask that covers the
mouth and nose when taking public transportation.
The CDC also recommends wearing masks in indoor public settings, such as restaurants and
theaters. You can save money on face coverings by purchasing a few reusable masks before
your trip instead of using disposable ones. Most cloth masks can be hand washed if you do not
have access to laundry facilities while you’re on the road.

3. Get Tested If You Are Unvaccinated
   If some of your family members are not fully vaccinated, they should take a COVID-19 test one
   to three days prior to your trip. They should also be tested three to five days after returning from
   the trip and remain in quarantine for seven days after travel. Additionally, they should avoid
   contact with people at high risk of suffering severe disease for 14 days after traveling. COVID-
   19 tests are available at no cost nationwide.
4. Avoid Large Crowds
   Fully vaccinated people can safely interact with small crowds outdoors without masks and larger
   outdoor crowds with masks. It is still recommended to avoid large indoor crowds. Travelers who
   are not fully vaccinated should continue to practice social distancing, wear masks and avoid
   large crowds both indoors and outdoors.
5. Check Travel Restrictions
   Whether you are traveling to another state or another country, check for travel restrictions
   before you plan your trip. Some locations may require COVID-19 testing, have different mask
   rules in place or may enforce quarantine requirements for international or out-of-state travelers.
6. Stock Up on Supplies
   It can be expensive to purchase supplies while you are on the road, so it is a good idea to stock
   up on items you may need, including face masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, before
   you leave for your trip. Similarly, if you need travel gear or just want a new outfit for your vacay,
   plan far enough ahead to stretch your dollar. Bigger retailers like Kohls have it all, and you can
   look for Kohls coupons and promo codes to save on everything you need for your adventure. As vaccination rates rise and infection rates fall, traveling should continue to become safer. However, it is still important to manage your risks while traveling to keep your family and those around you safe.

Source:

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Jesse Clark

Tatiana Rokou 

The Indian Ocean island destination has announced that it will be welcoming visitors from across the globe, irrespective of their vaccination status, as from March 25, 2021. Visitors from South Africa will still not be permitted to enter Seychelles for the time being until further review.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde in a press briefing this morning, Thursday, March 4, 2021, at the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) conference room at Botanical House following the Tourism Task Force Committee meeting. 

Visitors will now only be required to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure. There will be no quarantine requirement nor restriction on movement upon entry into Seychelles. Additionally, the minimum stay in establishments upon arrival will no longer be applicable.

However, visitors will still be required to adhere to other public health measures put in place in view of the pandemic these will include wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular sanitisation or washing of hands. The new measures also give visitors access to all communal area within the hotel premises inclusive of bars, swimming pools, spas and Kid’s club. 

Minister Radegonde stated that the decision to review and relax the entry procedures in the country has been made possible in view of the success registered in the aggressive vaccination campaign that the country embarked on earlier in the year.

“The vaccination campaign has been quite successful. The government has done everything in its power to make sure that the population is protected. We have now arrived at the point where opening our borders further is the next step to allow for our economic recovery. The measures being announced reflect broadly the recommendation of our tourism partners and have been done in full consultation with and the endorsement of our health authorities.”

Commenting on the reopening of the destination, Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO, BRANDit, the Marketing and PR office for Seychelles Tourism Board in India said, “As Indians are looking for more destination choices to travel internationally, Seychelles opening up to India without any restrictions comes at a great time when people are ready to emerge out of their COVID cocoons and plan trips abroad. Being a dynamic country with a lot to offer to tourists, we are excited to motivate the trade and consumers to plan their next getaway in Seychelles”.

The small island nation off the east coast of Africa whose economy is based primarily on tourism was the first African country to launch a bold, comprehensive and effective Covid-19 immunisation campaign, in January 2021. 

The destination will continuously review the new entry measures to ensure that at all times the health and safety of the visitors and the local population are not compromised.

About the Author

Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers. 

• On October 1, Ethiopian Public Health Institute announced the presence of 76,098 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.
• Under the Government of Ethiopia State of Emergency, masks are mandatory in public where social distancing is not possible; funerals are limited to a maximum of 50 people; all other gatherings are limited four people.
• Fact Sheet – The U.S. Response to COVID-19 (Updated August 21, 2020)

Latest Updates: Effective October 2, 2020

• All passengers traveling to Ethiopia MUST present a negative RT PCR test certificate for COVID-19 before boarding a flight. The certificate validity shouldn’t exceed 120 hours on arrival from the date sample is given.
• Negative RT PCR test result is not a mandatory requirement for diplomatic passport holders while entering Ethiopia. However, diplomats are required to self-isolate for 14 days after entry.
• Children less than or equal to 12 years of age are exempted from the RT PCR test certificate requirement.
• There shall be no COVID-19 test to be done on arrival at Addis Ababa.
• A Rapid diagnostic test (RDT antibody test) will not be accepted for this purpose.
• The above requirement does not apply to transit passengers.
• https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/aa/travel-updates/updates-on-covid-19(coronavirus)
• https://et.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

by Daine Taylor / June 19, 2020

As demand for travel is steadily increasing, travel companies are considering the best way to resume service while keeping guests safe. In a combined effort, the leading tour operator associations; United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO), and the European Tourism Association (ETOA), have collaborated to develop a unified set of health and safety standards for tour operators called TOURCARE.

The TOURCARE initiative provides guidelines for tour operators across all levels of service to help them maintain appropriate sanitation standards and adhere to WHO, CDC, and local health protocols.

“By their very nature, tour products are complex, involving many different variables that are under the watchful eye of the tour operator, yet not every element fully under their control. We felt that our members – and the tour operator industry as a whole – would benefit from one set of guidelines developed with their specific needs top-of-mind,” said USTOA President and CEO Terry Dale, ETOA Chief Executive Tom Jenkins, and CATO Executive Director Pierre LaPage in a joint statement announcing the program.

“The TOURCARE Guidelines will help our tour operator members fulfill their mission to safeguard the health and wellbeing of their passengers while continuing to provide exceptional travel experiences in destinations around the world.”

The guidelines comprises training methods and sanitization protocols for customer-facing employees, equipping them with PPE’s and facilitating social distancing whenever possible.

It also lays out steps tour managers can take to further ensure the welfare of the tour, like asking guests to disclose their COVID-19 exposure prior to departure and agree to adhere to all recommended and required health and sanitization procedures including wearing of masks, gloves, and social distancing where appropriate.

Some of the protocols are:

• Promoting frequent hand washing for all staff and passengers.
• Promoting the use of face masks.
• Exercising social distancing where viable.
• Providing and promoting the use of hand sanitizers.
• Requiring a passenger health declaration form pre-travel.

Source: TravelMarket