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:
NEWS
The U.S. Travel Association has officially cancelled IPW due to the coronavirus epidemic. A signature travel trade show for U.S. Travel for over 50 years, the event had been scheduled to take place May 31-June 3 in Las Vegas.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization has released the first in a series of podcasts on tourism and COVID-19. The inaugural entry deals with the issue of coping with the stress of working from home during the crisis and features insight and recommendations from Dr. Katija Khan, a clinical psychologist at the University of the West Indies St. Augustine, and a member of the UWI COVID-19 task force. Topics include stress (the leading pathway to mental health problems at work), boundaries, mental flexibility, substance use, communication, support from supervisors, exercise and more. Access the podcast HERE.
BY THE NUMBERS
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that, as of April 6, 96% of all global destinations had introduced some measure of travel restrictions in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
AGENTS
The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has launched a Canada Facebook group dedicated to the travel trade community. The private group, Barbados Travel Partners Canada, is intended as a tool for Canadian travel professionals to encourage clients and visitors to think of Barbados for their next vacation and return time and time again. From cruises to all-inclusive stays, the group will share promotional materials to assist with a client’s vacation choice. The group will also keep Barbados travel advisors and other industry members in direct communication with BTMI on matters related to COVID-19.
AIR
Face covering practices are now mandatory aboard Air Canada flights, based on new Transport Canada directives. The requirement will apply to customers in Canadian airports during the boarding process and during flight as directed by Air Canada staff where social distancing is not possible. Travellers must show that they have a suitable face covering (cloth, mask, mask or similar item) prior to boarding a flight or they will be provided with a suitable mask at security by CATSA.
As a result of the continuing national and international travel restrictions, the Lufthansa Group’s repatriation flight schedule will be extended until May 17, 2020, and then reduced further after this date. Originally, the already greatly reduced flight schedule was valid until May 3. The airline says passengers will been informed of changes.
Emirates says it is the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers. Implemented on an April 15 flight to Tunisia, the quick blood test was conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and results were available within 10 minutes. This test was conveniently done at the Group Check-in area of Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. Other check-in, boarding and in-flight formalities have also been adapted with social distancing in mind.
TOURS
Looking ahead to next winter, Nordic travel company 50 Degrees North has introduced a new 11-day “Lapland Circle” escorted tour visiting the northern regions of Norway, Sweden and Finland. The small group tour (12 people) includes one night at ICEHOTEL (photo), three nights in an igloo, snowmobile safari, ice fishing, northern lights cruise, and much more. The trip starts from Kittilä, Finland, with six departures starting Dec. 9 through to March 17, 2021. The Norway-based company is a member of Virtuoso and has an office in Vancouver.
ACCOMMODATION
Airbnb has launched an Online Experiences experience program with the aim of providing a new way for people to connect and travel virtually while enabling hosts to earn an income during the COVID-19 crisis. Dozens of experiences range from meditating with Buddhist monks to cooking with a Moroccan family and learning the secrets of magic to feeding the dogs of Chernobyl and working out with Olympians. Rates start from as little as US$2 p.p. for 90 minutes.
RESORTS
AMResorts has introduced a virtual vacation series and those taking part could win a trip. The series presents a new theme each week through resort-inspired recipes and activities leading to a virtual event every Friday. Check out the schedule HERE.
CRUISE
Princess Cruises has cancelled all voyages through June 30. The cruise line had previously announced a voluntary pause for 60 days, impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10. In addition, Princess has cancelled all Alaska Gulf cruise and cruisetours and reports that the five wilderness lodges, trains and buses operated by Princess in Alaska will not open this summer. Round-trip sailings from Seattle to Alaska on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess will continue to operate.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
After representing Turks & Caicos Tourism “with great passion” in Canada for over 20 years, Rosemarie Wilson has retired, effective April 17. The Toronto office will remain operational and staffed by marketing officer Layton Lewis (llewis.tcitourism@bell.net) and the telephone number remains the same, however direct contact should be made to T&C’s new director of tourism, Pamela Ewing, at pewing@turksandcaicostourism.com.
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has appointed travel marketing agency Toronto-based Development Counsellors International (DCI) as its Agency of Record for the destination’s tourism promotion in Canada. DCI will handle public relations and both consumer and travel trade marketing initiatives throughout Canada.
DESTINATIONS
Visit Costa Rica is continuing to inspire travellers to pursue “Pura Vida,” a phrase and mindset shared throughout the country to give thanks, offer a warm welcome and describe the feeling of happiness felt by the locals. Check out the following video, which is part of our “Only the Essentials” tourism campaign –
Following the successful launch of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s Division of Festivals’ online gatherings earlier this month, an expanded Virtual Carnival experience is now available. The official calendar is available HERE.
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.