It was a busy week in the travel neighbourhood: Canada (at last) announced the easing (though not removal) of testing and other arrivals measures at the border; COVID restrictions begin to diminish in Europe; the CDC lowered its risk level for cruise ships; and a certain fully vaccinated Mouse can now put its mask away in Orlando.
NEWS
Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a molecular COVID-19 test to enter Canada starting Feb. 28, however, arrivals will still need to produce a negative antigen test taken with 24 hours of travel. Other restrictions have also been eased, including the removal of quarantine requirements for children, and the government has dropped its blanket advisory against non-essential travel.
Crystal Cruises has closed its US offices leaving a trail of debt in its wake. The cruise line owes customers more than US$100 million in deposits and payments. The cruise line reportedly owes money to passengers who paid for trips up until 2024, along with travel agents, vendors, crew members and approximately 100 land-based employees who were given 48 hours’ notice before offices were shut down and their paychecks cut off.
The Dutch government has announced that it will scrap virtually all its remaining coronavirus restrictions by the end of the month as infection rates begin to decline and pressure on health care services eases. The Netherlands is following neighbouring Belgium and other European nations in easing restrictions as the continent increasingly looks for ways of co-existing with the virus without the economic and social damage wreaked by lockdown measures. Austria announced that most of its measures will similarly end by March 5 and Germany by March 20.
Elsewhere, on Feb. 17 Aruba eased COVID-19 protocols to allow locals businesses and restaurants to return to regular hours and capacities and lifted a prohibition on dancing and large gatherings (such as weddings). Masking remains mandatory at all indoor venues, including the airport.
BORDERS
Vaccinated travellers can now enter Britain without taking any coronavirus tests. Visitors who have had at least two doses of an approved coronavirus vaccine now only need to fill out a passenger locator form before travelling to the UK. Unvaccinated people still have to take tests both before and after arriving but no longer need to self-isolate until they get a negative result.
On Feb. 16, Switzerland eased coronavirus restrictions, including ending health checks for incoming travellers and the need to have COVID-19 passes to enter many public venues.
All visitors entering Belize are required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance – a mandatory insurance that helps protect travellers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay. Cost of the policy is US$18 and provides coverage for up to US$50,000 in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days as well lodging expenses due to quarantine up to US$2,000 (max $300/day) and trip cancellations and expenses incurred by COVID-19 positive travellers for extended stays. The insurance can be purchased in advance or upon arrival. For more information and the fine print, visit belizetravelinsurance.com
As of Feb. 18, fully vaccinated travellers to the Cayman Islands are no longer required to complete on-island antigen testing on days 2, 5 and 7 after arrival. A negative antigen or PCR test conducted the day prior to arrival is still required for entry and applies to all travellers aged five and over.
BY THE NUMBERS
The number of tourists visiting the Sunshine State in the last quarter of 2021 surpassed the visitor count in the same quarter before the start of the pandemic. Florida had 30.8 million tourist visits between last October and December, a slight increase over the fourth quarter in 2019, according to Visit Florida. The overwhelming majority of the visits were from domestic tourists – more than 29 million. There were only 359,000 Canadian visits in the same period, a two-thirds drop from the same quarter in 2019.
AIR
On Feb. 12, 1947, Turkish Airlines launched its first flight from Ankara to Athens (via Istanbul); 75 years later the carrier has grown from 33 aircraft to 371, flying millions of passengers to 128 countries on five continents. Last week the airline celebrated its milestone anniversary with the same flight and a celebration in the Greek capital at the end (photo) that included Turkish State Airlines General Manager Osman Nuri Baykal.
Azores Airlines will start a new summer service between Montreal and Terceira, running from June 15 to Sept. 14. Operating on Wednesdays, it will compliment services already operating from Toronto to Terceira (up to two times per week), as well as up to five times per week service from Toronto to Ponta Delgada. Terceira is one of nine islands in the Portugal’s Azores.
The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group will expand its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) network to 47 cities from 25 countries in the coming weeks. Starting Feb. 25, Singapore Airlines will progressively add Dubai, Hong Kong, Manila, Phuket, and New York (Newark), amongst others to the network. The latter service commences March 27 with daily flights, joining existing daily service from JFK.
This month, Icelandair is introducing a new livery with colours inspired by Icelandic nature, including the northern lights. As part of a complete refresh of the Icelandair brand, this is the first time the whole livery design has changed since 2006, supporting the airline’s promise of “bringing the spirit of Iceland to the world.”
TOURS
Agents and customers will get a helping hand from Sunwing in navigating Canada’s revised border measures through key website and content updates. The tour company is updating the Travel Requirements page on Sunwing.ca, agent portal, and agent Facebook page with helpful information and resources, in addition to sending out email reminders around the changing requirements. Updates on Sunwing’s hotel detail pages will also reflect which resorts offer on-site antigen tests and associated costs for travellers. Additional communication will be provided on the Travel Advisories page and within the Sunwing App.
‘An Ocean Away, Right Next Door’ is the latest campaign from Globus, reminding agents and travellers that “there’s so much to see, this side of the sea.” From the sweeping views of the Gaspé Peninsula to the sparkling lakes of the Rockies, floating icebergs of Newfoundland, famous fromageries of Charlevoix, and cobblestone avenues of Québec City, Globus getaways “offer travellers the beauty they expect from North America with a flair of Europe they’ve been missing,” says Stéphanie Bishop, managing director for the Globus family of brands. Half a dozen tours are on offer, including California and Cape Cod south of the border.
RESORTS
All-inclusive pioneer Club Med is planning to open 17 new resorts by 2024, tapping into booming all-inclusive market for families and upscale travellers. Combined with enhanced destination-forward experiences, digital innovations, and new product novelties, the robust expansion plan also includes renovations or extensions of more than a dozen existing resorts. Locations range from Utah to the European alps, as well as Japan, Thailand, and Borneo.
From Cuckoo Coconut Fish Fingers to Cheesy Crispy Ricer Dippers, Dreams Resorts & Spas by AMR Collection is unveiling new kid-friendly culinary offering created in collaboration with popular young chef Eitan Bernath (The Drew Barrymore Show). Three new, globally inspired dishes for children (the other is a Sunny Day Parfait) are available through May 31 as part of the new “Foodie Explorers” rotating menu series at Dreams Vista Cancun Golf & Spa Resort, Dreams Natura Resort & Spa and Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa in Mexico.
HOTELS
RIU Hotels & Resorts has opened the Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan, the Spanish hotel chain’s second establishment in New York City. Just like its predecessor, this hotel is a new build in the heart of Manhattan, near the theatres on Broadway and a stone’s throw from Times Square. The 656-room hotel aims to submerge guests in the Big Apple’s renowned theatrical world from the moment they walk through the door. RIU took its first steps in Manhattan in 2016 when it opened the Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square.
Hilton’s Conrad luxury brand will make its California debut with the opening of the Conrad Los Angeles this year. The 305-room hotel will be part of The Grand LA mixed use project, which is being designed by architect Frank Gehry and is across the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall. The hotel will feature a 1,500-sq.-m. rooftop terrace and pool deck; and 1,100 sq. m. of meeting space. The Grand LA will also include 16,400 sq. m. of retail and restaurant space, and 400 private residences.
CRUISE
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lowered its Travel Health Notice risk level for cruise ships week from level 4 to level 3 – from “very high” to “high.” CLIA called the decision “a step in the right direction.” The CDC had raised its threat designation to level 4 on Dec. 30, 2021, at the peak of the omicron wave, indicating that more than 2,000 cases had been detected aboard cruises ships in the past 14 days. Level 3 indicates between 1,000 and 2,000 cases identified during the two-week time period.
The Disney Wish hit the water for the first time when it floated out of an enclosed building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Marking the world’s first look at the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the major construction milestone was celebrated in true Disney style in preparation for its maiden voyage on July 14 from Port Canaveral, Fla., on a series of three- and four-night itineraries to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Walt Disney World in Florida has announced that face coverings are now optional for fully vaccinated visitors in all indoor and outdoor locations, with one exception: Face masks still will be needed for visitors aged two and older on enclosed transportation, such as the resort’s monorail, buses, and the resort’s sky gondola. The change in mask policy took effect Feb. 17. However, unvaccinated visitors still need to continue wearing masks in all indoor locations, according to Disney.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Barbados’s newest all-inclusive, O2 Beach Club and Spa, is inviting Canadian travel agents to visit the property in person at preferential rates. For bookings made by Feb. 28 for travel through April 17, 2022, agents have the opportunity to choose from three room categories: Club Collection ($228), Luxury Junior ($354), and Concierge One Bedroom ($524). All rates are all-inclusive, per day, listed in US dollars, and subject to availability. Friends and family can join at the same rates (p.p.). To book, email info@canlinktravel.com.
Through March 31 travel agents who secure a minimum of two bookings to Antigua & Barbuda through WestJet Vacations for travel before Dec. 15 will be entered into an exclusive draw. Bookings must be registered through www.antiguabarbudata.com. The prize: a seven-day trip for two to the all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa Antigua, with roundtrip economy airfare courtesy of WestJet Vacations. The winner will be randomly selected on April 8. At the same time, for a limited time, clients can save $400 off any Antigua & Barbuda package booking made through the tour operator.
EVENTS
Air Canada Vacations announced more enhancements to its self-service tools. For the first time, travel agents can access reservations for bookings in Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, and Orlando, where future travel credits can be applied as payment for all bookings made online, Aeroplan numbers can be added, and special accommodation requests made. Access is through ACV’s website and all external distribution channels, including Sirev, Galileo Vacations, and Sabre Vacations. To help introduce the new enhancements, ACV will host a 30-minute trade webinar on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. EST (with chance to win a $250 Future Travel Credit. Register HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Huntington Travel Group has announced the appointment of Firdosh Bulsara as Director of My Escapades. The 30-year travel industry veteran has worked with such brands as Sunquest, Alba Tours, Goway, and most recently with Vic Tours International, and notably managed My Escapades from 2007 to 2014, launching it to the market where it enjoyed success with FITs and private groups to Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. “It is like coming full circle, back to what I have enjoyed doing the most in my career,” says Bulsara. He can be reached at
firdosh.bulsara@myescapades.com.
The Travel Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has announced Mary Wimmer as its new Director of Communications & Media Relations. Wimmer joins TIAC with a decade of experience in communications, including the last several years at CAA in Ottawa. Previously, she reported for a national tourism trade publication based in Toronto and prior to that worked in marketing communications for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s Canadian office.
DESTINATIONS
The best beaches, restaurants, and adventures in Los Cabos, Mexico, are now at one’s fingertips with the all-new Los Cabos app. Designed by the Los Cabos Tourism Board, the App delivers convenience and functionality in both English and Spanish and includes ‘Activities, Restaurant and Events’ tabs loaded with the latest info, as well as current travel and health requirements, including arrivals and departures protocols.
Throughout March, Key West will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first permanent settlement of the most southerly Florida city. Set for March 19-30, “Key West 200th” will feature a host of events, including a re-enactment of the official flag planting on March 25. The bicentennial party will include a gala, concert, films, picnics, exhibits at local attractions, and much more.
Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com