ROUND-UP:Aug. 10-14, 2020

A blocked-border extension for Canada and the US; a new South brochure from Transat; and Sunwing doing “business,” are among the need-to-know travel news you may have missed last week. Read it brief here:

NEWS

Canada and the US have agreed to extend the temporary restriction of all non-essential travel across the Canada-US border until Sept. 21, 2020.

Acknowledging that challenging times call for unique measures, The Travel Corporation has issued a ‘$300 Million Dollars Peace of Mind’ promise to travel advisors stating that the company is financially sound and accredited in all the countries in which it does business. The promise “gives the reassurance to our loyal travel advisors and their clients that their monies for future travel are safe and this goes beyond our commitment to having a memorable holiday with us,” says chief executive Brett Tollman. The century-old TravCorp company has 40 brands under its umbrella including Trafalgar, Insight and Contiki.

RE-OPENING/STARTING

Canadians will be among international passengers from 22 “green zone” countries eligible to travel to Jordan as international flights resume this week (Aug. 18).

Following Italian government approval, Costa Cruises will resume cruises from Italian ports effective Sept. 6. The return to cruising will be progressive, involving an increasing number of ships, the first being Costa Deliziosa offering weekly cruises from Trieste to Greece on Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27. The Costa Diadema sails on Sept. 19. The rest of the fleet remains docked until Sept. 30.

Luxury small ship operator Aqua Expeditions has begun welcoming back domestic travellers aboard its ocean explorer yacht Aqua Blu in Indonesia, with international travellers expected to get clearance by Sept. 12. Enhanced health and safety protocols are in effect.

DELAYED/CANCELLED

The US Virgin Islands is closing its doors once again to leisure visitors, effective Aug. 19, for a period of at least one month due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the territory.

With the continuation of travel and port restrictions due to global health concerns, Holland America Line is extending its pause of cruise operations and cancelling departures on all ships through Dec. 15, 2020. Those with impacted cruises automatically will be cancelled, and no action is needed for guests opting for the Future Cruise Credit (125% FCC of the base cruise fare paid in full to HAL, or double the amount of the deposit for those not paid in full up to the base cruise fare paid).

AIR

Although the European market has seen an increase in the number of flights in recent months, supported by the reopening of borders between countries of the Schengen area and the non-Schengen EU states, flights are still more than 50% below the same period in 2019, according to IATA. Passenger numbers are currently forecast to fall by around 60% in 2020, which represents about 705 million passenger journeys. Passenger demand in Europe is expected to recover gradually and will not reach 2019 levels until 2024.

TOURS

Oberammergau

In 2021, the Globus family of brands will conduct 15 faith-based small group Discover tours throughout Europe, Israel and Jordan. Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways are also offering travellers 13 itineraries to witness the “Passion Play” in Oberammergau, Germany, with reserved seating and premier accommodations, in 2022. The iconic once-a-decade production was postponed from this year due to COVID.

The new 2020-21 South brochure from Transat includes 320 properties grouped under its four collections—Luxury, Distinction, Family and Solo— in over 30 destinations in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, St. Maarten/St. Martin and El Salvador.

The book accompanies the brand’s “Here Comes the Sun Promo.”

Check it on Transat Agent Direct; print copies are coming with details to be announced on Facebook. (See Incentives section below for more).

HOTELS

Osaka, Japan’s new, 16-storey Zentis Osaka features 212 rooms and suites, and a commitment to service that stems from Palace Hotel Tokyo – the homegrown brand that is the only independent Japanese-brand hotel to achieve a Forbes Five-Star rating year on year. Set in its own garden, Zentis is situated where the riverside area of Dojimahama and the high-end business entertainment district of Kita-shinchi meet, a five-minute taxi from Osaka station.

RESORTS

Sunwing has unveiled “Upgrade Your Office” packages in three destinations for Canadians who ready to flee their home work spaces. Available from Nov. 1, “workcations” stays of 14, 21 or 28 nights can arranged at Royalton resorts in Negril, Cancun and Punta Cana with each package including complimentary access to the resort business centre, “All-In Connectivity” including resort-wide Wi-Fi, portable power banks, access to the Diamond Club Lounge, and more. When the work day is done, there are daily sunset yoga classes, nightly happy hours and other amenities not found at home. The Safe With Sunwing commitment assure health and safety protocols are in place.

CRUISE

Kontiki

Ecuador-based Kontiki Expeditions will set sail in December promising “a new concept in luxury ocean vacations focusing on conscious travel and immersive experiences.” The small-yacht expeditions include both under-the-water and on-land experiences. The first two eight-day itineraries, The Toquilla Expedition and The Spondylus Expedition travel along the Ecuadorian coast highlight the country’s wealth of birds, animals, flora, fauna, indigenous foods and cultural traditions while adhering to a philosophy of sustainability and giving back to communities. Kontiki’s luxury boutique yachts, which have only nine staterooms each, are able to visit smaller ports.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Transat is offering travel agents exclusive fares on flights and packages to Cancun and Riviera Maya (Mexico), as well as Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). Rates start at $399 for flights and $449 for seven-night all-inclusive packages to one of nine resorts. Packages are available for agents in single or double occupancy with a companion of their choice. The limite space offer is valid through Oct. 31 and is available on weekly departures from Montreal and Toronto. Agent Direct for details.

EVENTS

Aug 19 – ACTA is hosting a webinar on Wednesday focusing on the independent travel agent model. Held in collaboration with HR à La Carte, the hour-long session will talk place at 1 p.m. EST and is free for members, or $75 for non-members. Subject matter includes a human resources overview of the independent travel agent model, including becoming one or incorporating the business model into your travel agency. There will also be a Q&A. Check out ACTA’s website for details and to register.

Aug. 20 – A virtual tour of Jordan is being hosted by G Adventures on Thursday at noon EDT. The webinar will include a look at Bedouin life in the vast desert of Wadi Rum, the beauty of Petra (through your screen), and a relaxing float in the Dead Sea. Register HERE.

DESTINATIONS

Bermuda is the latest to woo long-term visitors with a special “work from…” program. For a US$263 p.p. application fee, the program, allows travellers 18 years and older to move to the island for a year while working remotely, including the flexibility to travel back and forth seamlessly and to bring the family along as well. The application portal can be found HERE.

“The Palm Beaches Pledge” is a unified promise by hotels, attractions, restaurants, transportation services and a variety of other businesses in the south Florida city to follow CDC and government guidelines, among taking other measures, such as an accreditation program. Businesses will also continue encouraging guests to follow mandated mask, social distancing and sanitation guidelines. The pledge is a public commitment to the health and wellbeing of employees, local patrons and visitors, says Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), the official tourism marketing organization for the city.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

* Future dates and events listed here are up to date at time of printing, although obviously subject to changes due to ever-involving pandemic information. Travel Industry Today accepts no responsibility for sudden or unreported inaccuracies.