In case you missed it, and even if you didn’t, here’s a quick look at some of last week’s need-to-know travel news:

COVID-19

For every five Aeroplan Miles a member donates to a charity engaged in fighting the COVID-19 crisis before April 30, they will receive one Altitude Qualifying Mile – up to a maximum of 25,000 AQM – all of which count towards 2021 status for the member. Other Aeroplan updates:

• Automatic extension of 2020 Air Canada Altitude status to the end of 2021
• If a member has already achieved Altitude status for next year, or does so by the end of 2020, they can gift it to a friend or family member

Porter Airlines is also providing greater flexibility for frequent flyers who are unable to travel due to COVID-19. Porter Pass holders and VIPorter loyalty members will continue receiving the full value of their travel programs. Meanwhile, pass holders with vouchers set to expiring March 2 and July 31, 2020, now have until June 30, 2021 to use their passes. The system is automatically updated and no action is necessary.

United Airlines is extending members’ current MileagePlus Premier status earned for 2020 through January 2022. In addition, for the 2021 status year, United is reducing thresholds for Premier qualification by 50% for each status level, to make reaching an even higher status tier easier.

Air Canada Vacations says it will work to support travel partners by disputing chargebacks on their behalf by collaborating with financial institutions and government bodies to reduce the mutual risks associated with chargebacks. Subject to an approved chargeback by a credit card company, the burden of payment will not be passed to travel agents.

NEWS

With Carnival Corp. shares down over 80% this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund has snapped up an 8.2% stake in the company worth approximately US$369 million. The move was seen as a bargain for the fund and, at the same time, a welcome sign of investor confidence in Carnival, the world’s largest cruise operator. Shares jumped 18% on the news.

TOURS

Three new Grand Suites can be booked on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express this season. Guests travelling in the suites on the London-Venice route will enjoy private transfers to and from the train and a personal 24-hour cabin steward available for all onboard services.

RESORTS

Meliá Koh Samui, a 159-room and 41-suite resort with a lagoon pool (photo) that loops through its grounds like a river and suites made from teak wood vessels, has opened on Thailand’s second largest island, Koh Samui. The first property in Thailand launched under Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International, the resort boasts two restaurants, an executive lounge, a swim-up bar, spa, fitness centre, ballroom and, for families, a kid’s club, outdoor playground and mini water park. Fronting the sands of Choeng Mon Beach, on the north-eastern tip of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, the nautical-themed luxury beachfront resort is located 15 minutes from Samui International Airport.

HOTELS

Traditionally, hotels in Japan offer one or two beds per room. The Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo caters to family travellers by offering suites with four beds in the room, a comfortable nursing room, and child-care services. Universal designs and services are accessible for wheelchairs and hearing impairment. There are on-site medical clinics. There are even special toilets for guide dogs. A convenience store and a shopping floor caters to every need. Each hotel room is equipped with a complimentary smart phone service

Now open:

IHG’s Hotel Indigo Madrid Princesa is located within walking distance of one of Madrid’s main shopping districts, Calle de la Princesa and located next to one of the Parque del Oeste. The hotel has 101 guest rooms featuring two distinct room designs based around nature and taking cues from the lush greenery of adjacent park. Each room boasts premium bedding, a smart TV and high-speed internet.

CRUISE

Viking (photo) has launched Viking TV a new digital platform designed to provide enriching cultural content and livestreaming video experiences from around the world. And each day at 11 a.m. PT in the “Conversations with Karine and Friends” section, there will be a livestream conversation, demonstration or virtual tour where viewers can participate by submitting questions in real time. All content sessions will be archived for anyone who cannot view at the original time of broadcast. Click HERE.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have developed resources available to help families virtually explore the wild world of animals and nature for grades K-12. Users can explore hands-on, creative resources including Classroom Activities, Teacher’s Guides, Saving a Species Video Series, Animal Bytes and Animal Info Books – all accessible at the organization’s web site.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

The adults-only, all-inclusive Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas’ “WPIB Travel Agents Incentive Program” provides eligible retail travel professionals with cash bonuses up to US$65 per booking throughout 2020 on top of regular commissions up to 20%. For details, e-mail sales.wpid@warwickhotels.com.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Unique Vacations (UVI), an affiliate of the worldwide representatives of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, has announced the retirement of long-time CEO Tammy Gonzalez and named veteran travel executive Jeff Clarke as her successor effective April 14. Most recently, Clarke served as UVI Chief Operating Officer.

DESTINATIONS

It may not be the same as actually being there, but a 360-degree reality film produced by the Japan National Tourist Organization might be the next best thing. The cool video, titled “Where Tradition Meets Future,” transports visitors to such spectacular, wanderlust-inducing locations and experiences as the sculptures of Naoshima, breathtaking bamboo forests, Geisha performances, sumo wrestling and sushi making. Other experiences include a live feed of Tokyo’s world-famous Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, a popular Neko (cat) Café in Kyoto and Jigokudani , a park in Nagano known for its feisty snow monkeys.

Check it out HERE.

andBeyond and wildlife broadcasting experts WildEarth have come together to stream twice daily, authentic and unscripted game drives that armchair travellers can view from the comfort of their home. Each lasting approximately three hours, the safaris will be streamed from two renowned game reserves in South Africa, andBeyond Ngala Private Game Reserve and Djuma Private Game Reserve. The drives will be streamed over a variety of social media platforms each day in April and viewers will be able to interact and have their questions answered in real-time, just as if they were actually on the game drive vehicle.

* 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.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com.