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: air travel “turns the corner”; a slew of re-openings; and more cruise line delays and cancellations.
NEWS
Air travel has turned the corner, reports IATA. Passenger demand rose 30% from April 21 (low point) through May 27, albeit from a low threshold. Air service had plunged a historic 94.3% during April compared to year previous due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions. “While this uptick is not significant to the global dimension of the air transport industry, it does suggest that the industry has seen the bottom of the crisis, provided there is no recurrence,” says IATA.
A new “Safe with Sunwing” commitment is designed to ensure the health and safety of customers across their entire vacation experience, from the moment they check in, to their airport transfers, throughout their resort stay and their journey home. New measures include self-service check-in where possible and social distancing measures at the airport; enhanced health and safety protocols at Sunwing-owned hotels, as well as with Sunwing Experiences excursions.
RE-OPENING
Universal Orlando opened to the public Friday, the first major theme park in the city to do so after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Guests faced various health protocols, such as one person per row on rides. Legoland Florida opened earlier in the week.
Phased re-openings (with capacity limitations) of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island will begin on June 11. The reopening of the parks will include enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements, and temperature screening. A new online reservation system will also help manage capacity
American Airlines flight 2405 from Miami arrived in Antigua on Thursday (June 4) marking the Caribbean’s re-opening to international tourism.
Jamaica will begin a phased-in reopening of its borders starting on June 15. All arrivals will be subject to a health and risk screening process (temperature checks, symptoms observation) and if assessed to be high risk, will be required to self-quarantine at their destination until the results are available.
On July 1, the Bahamas will re-open its borders to international travellers. Commercial airlines will be able to resume service, hotels and vacations rentals can re-open, and taxis, jitneys and buses operate again.It’s a sign of the times that many destinations are not merely re-opening for visitors as pandemic conditions evolve but are doing so in a responsible fashion.
Myrtle Beach, SC, for example, is eager to welcome Canadians when the border re-opens and offers a YouTube video as part of its clever “The Beach is Back” campaign to help visitors prepare and know what to expect (for example, masks not required, but suggested; social distancing in effect on the beach, etc.) Check out the video HERE. There is also more Canada-specific info at VisitMyrtleBeach.ca.
With mask-clad dealers, casinos in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada are open again for the first time since March. The shutdown lasted 78 days.
Iberostar reports that the second half of June will see the scaled reopening of a selection of hotels in destinations such as Spain (in the Balearics, Canaries and Andalusia), Montenegro, Budapest, Greece, Portugal and Mexico. The first hotel to open will be Iberostar Cristina in Majorca. The company assures that is maximizing health and safety with more than 300 measures designed by the Group’s Medical Advisory Board, made up of experts in Public Health for the tourism industry.
DELAYED
The temporary fleet-wide halt of cruise operations by MSC Cruises has been extended through to July 31. MSC Cruises Canada is offering guests affected by the cancelled cruises up until that date a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valued at 125% of their cruise fare which can applied to a future cruise of their choice – on any ship, for any itinerary – through to the end of 2021.
Royal Caribbean has cancelled all northbound cruises out of US ports, ending the much delayed 2020 Alaska season after Canada extended its ban on cruise ships until the end of October.
AIDA Cruises says it has had to suspend all its cruises with ports in the US and Canada this year.
Another cruise line, another pause in operations: this time until Oct. 15 for P&O Cruises, which sails to over 200 destinations worldwide and offers itineraries generally ranging from two to 17 days and also an annual world cruise.
AIR
A new charitable initiative by Swoop and The Frontline Fund has been launched to raised funds in support of Canada’s healthcare workers and hospital foundations. The carrier is making disposable masks available until Aug. 31 at check-in for a suggested minimum donation of $2, with 100% of after-tax proceeds going directly to the Fund. Additionally, Swoop is donating $5 per traveller, per booking from new bookings made during the month of June.
DEALS
Guests at Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts can take advantage of a limited time two-for-one room re-opening offer when booking any of the companies’ 10 properties in Mexico and Jamaica by June 30.
TOURS
With RV rentals skyrocketing in Canada this summer, Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) has partnered with CanaDream, one of the largest recreational vehicles rental and sales companies in in the country with a fleet of more than 1,300 luxury vehicles available to rent (photo) in seven gateways.
HOTELS
South Africa’s The Royal Portfolio hotel collection has a new program offering travellers vouchers for future stays at its four luxury properties across the country. Each voucher will include a donation to The Royal Portfolio Foundation, funding counter-poaching initiatives and food donations to vulnerable communities. In addition to the donation, the voucher includes an added value of 25% donated by the company.
CRUISE
The latest dates for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to resume sailings are July 25 for the Grand Celebration and Grand Classica on Oct. 2.
Poseidon Expeditions has signed an agreement with ship owner SunStone Ships, Inc. to extend the charter of the 114-passenger expedition ship Sea Spirit for two years. This will keep the ship flying the Poseidon Expeditions banner until May 2024.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
‘Picture Me in Jamaica,’ is the Jamaica Tourist Board’s new online photo contest designed to test travel agents’ knowledge of Jamaica’s top attractions and lesser-known hidden gems. Each Wednesday in June, five different photos of unique destinations will be posted online along with a series of clues. Agents who identify all five photos correctly will be entered into a weekly prize drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Enter HERE.
EVENTS
The Virtual Summer Safari by African Travel Inc. continues with more dates this month. Agents can learn more about safari experiences, local wildlife, luxury lodges and camps across Africa on June 12 (Q&A Sabi Sabi), 19 (Shamwari Game Reserve live game drive), and 25 (Elewana Loisaba, Kenya). All events are at 11 a.m. EST and space is limited. More info and registration HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Flight Centre Travel Group has announced the appointment of Marc Casto to the new role of president, Leisure Brands, Americas division. Casto has over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, including as Sr. VP of FCM Travel Solutions USA, and before that, president and CEO of Casto Travel in San Francisco.
DESTINATIONS
It won’t be the same but give organizers of this year’s Mango Fest Key West kudos for trying the make the most of these pandemic-plagued days by holding this year’s fourth annual event virtually. Set to take place June 22-28, the schedule includes mango-themed culinary and cocktail demonstrations, competitions for writers and artists, educational activities, and the Mango Mania Virtual Vendor Village. If you’re moved by mangoes, google mango fest key west.
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.