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: tourism is tentatively entering its “re-opening” phase; some international airlines have announced return dates for service to Canada; and Sunwing wants you to nominate a frontline worker for a free trip.
NEWS
Americans will be the first international visitors welcomed back to Saint Lucia as the government prepares to allow flights from the US beginning June 4. The first phase of re-opening the island’s tourism sector will also see the re-opening of 1,500 hotel rooms to accommodate visitors.
Iceland plans to re-open to tourism on June 15. However, however, all arriving passengers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test, take a test at the airport, or be subject to a two-week quarantine. The test will be free for at least the first two weeks, after which there may be a charge. Social distancing restrictions in the country remain.
Following eased lockdowns after the coronavirus spread in China, Kempinski Hotels has reopened all its hotels in the country. Amongst other measures, everyone entering the hotels must under a temperature check.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line says sailings will resume onboard Grand Celebration on June 13 and onboard Grand Classica on July 10.
Florida Keys’ officials are targeting June 1 to re-open the Keys. The date coincides with the planned June 1 suspension of checkpoints on two roads leading from the South Florida mainland to the Keys and the suspension of passenger screenings at Key West International and Florida Keys Marathon International airports. Lodging is to be limited to 50% percent of standard occupancy during beginning stages of reopening.
Sunwing is giving back to frontline workers across the country by giving away 100 all-inclusive vacations to Royalton Luxury Resorts. Canadians are invited to nominate deserving health care workers, emergency service providers or anyone who has helped keep Canada safe during the pandemic. Nominations close June 30. Click HERE.
AIR
Toronto is among nine destinations that will see a resumption of service from Emirates starting this week (May 21). The airline notes that travellers will only be accepted on these flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries. This includes an approval from the Federal Authority for Identify and Citizenship (ICA) for UAE residents who wish to return to Dubai.
International flights to and from Canada will resume June 3 for Lufthansa, which plans to ramp up its return from coronavirus-induced limitations with three weekly, non-stop flights between Toronto and Frankfurt. Additional Canadian flights are currently being evaluated and planned for later in the summer. Customers must take the current entry and quarantine regulations of their respective destinations into account when planning their trip, says the airline.
WestJet is extending its suspension of thousands of flights by another four weeks until July 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier is halting all US and international flights, as well as more than 40 domestic routes. as travel controls and public health concerns continue to choke off demand.
TOURS
Citing ongoing travel uncertainty and compromised air schedules due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Globus family of brands – Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways – has suspended travel worldwide through Aug. 31. At the same time, GFOB’s Peace of Mind Travel Plan, which allows travellers booked on affected vacations to reschedule their vacation in 2020, 2021 or 2022, to any destination, on any brand, without incurring cancellation fees, has been extended to affected passengers. The plan also offers travellers a credit of up to $200 p.p. when they make their new plans. The company anticipates a return to Europe – and likely, additional worldwide destinations – by September.
Sunwing customers who book by June 30 can change their package at no charge up to three days prior to departure including altering their travel dates, hotel and destination (applicable to travel between June 26 and April 30, 2021). The tour operator has also modified its cancellation policies, allowing travellers to cancel 25 days or more prior to departure and receive a full refund in the original form of payment (subject to a $100 non-refundable deposit). The tour operator reminds that its Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver can also be purchased from $49
HOTELS
White Elephant Palm Beach, a luxury 32-room hotel located in the heart of Palm Beach is scheduled to open on Sept. 23. The new hotel represents the total renovation of the former Bradley Park Hotel — which dates back to the 1920s – transforming it into one of the most luxurious properties in Palm Beach. Architectural firm Elkus Manfredi will create a design respectful of the unique history of Palm Beach while reflecting the mood, pulse, refinement and ethos of the modern, sophisticated traveller.
RESORTS
Here are some of the resort companies that have recently announced the introduction of comprehensive safety and cleanliness policies: Sandals, AMResorts, RIU, El Sid and Palace Resorts.
CRUISE
In anticipation of setting sail once more, Avalon Waterways has developed a new Avalon Assurance program to safeguard the health and happiness of travellers throughout their vacation. The program currently features seven major categories and protocols that span across all guest experience touch-points – all of which are being shared, explored, reviewed and renewed, accordingly. Features include guest and staff health screening, electrostatic and UV cleaning, enhanced hands-free services and much more. For full details, go HERE.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Disney’s first theme park has re-opened. Shanghai Disneyland welcomed a limited number of mask-wearing guests last week, more than three months after closing on Jan. 25. Dates have not been released for Disney World or Disneyland to re-open, though some outlets in Disney Springs in Orlando are set open doors this month.
EVENTS
Sandals Resorts has retooled some of its most popular webinars for Canadian travel agents. Available on demand, the webinars will help agents brush up on important skills and strategies, especially critical to have during and after the current pandemic. Agents who participate in all three webinars – in sequence – will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of several three-night, land-only stays to a Sandals or Beaches resort. Webinar titles include: Sandals 101, Social Media Tips & Tools… Sandals Style, and How We Earn Our Stars. Contact Sandals for registration details.
The trade is invited to attend the upcoming webinar on May 20 at 1 p.m.: “Keeping You Engaged and Informed with Air Canada Vacations and Norwegian Cruise Line.”
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel agents with valid IATA/CLIA identification can book a stay at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia for $99 per night and $159 for a guest (based on double occupancy) for bookings made by July 31 for travel by Dec. 20, 2020. Direct bookings should be made with North America Reservations at 877-252-0304.
BY THE NUMBERS
On May 14, 858 people arrived in Hawaii including 252 visitors and 318 residents. On the same date last year, nearly 30,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii, including residents and visitors.
DESTINATIONS
The Israel Ministry of Tourism has signed a year-long marketing agreement with TravelBrands to promote tourism to Israel from Canada. The project will focus on positioning Israel as a dynamic destination that caters to all tourism segments such cultural tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), adventure tourism, culinary tourism and heritage tourism.
For only the second time in its 142-history, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has been cancelled due to the pandemic. The annual Toronto late summer event was last closed from 1942 to ’46 during World War II.
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.