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: More tour operator and cruise cancellations, an extension from TICO, and a unique birth has saved the United Kingdom.
NEWS
Tours departing through July 31 have been suspended by G Adventures due to COVID-19. G Expedition departures up to and including Aug. 31 have also been cancelled. All travellers booked and fully paid on a tour departing up to July 31 will receive a 110% travel credit on all booked tour services to be used on any tour departing up to two years from the end of the month of their tour’s suspension. Travellers who haven’t yet made their final payment will have their Lifetime Deposit kept on file for a future tour.
Air Canada Vacations has launched new health and safety standards to provide customers with greater peace of mind through the various stages of travel. As an extension of Air Canada CleanCare+, these new health and safety standards include the enhanced grooming of vacation transfer vehicles and other safety protocols throughout the travel journey for vacation packages to Sun destinations.
Unique Vacations Canada, representatives of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, has created an exclusive new Facebook Group for Canadian travel advisors as an additional platform to stay in touch during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. By joining the private group, advisors can learn more about the latest product updates, incentives, events and more from the Canadian sales team for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Advisors can request to join the group HERE.
TICO has extended its original 90-day fee deferral on all fees to now include year-ends on April 30 and May 31 (fees due Oct. 31 and Nov. 30 respectively).
BY THE NUMBERS
Tourism employment in Canada is down 881,700 jobs (43%) in recent weeks according to Tourism HR Canada. Meanwhile, the latest data released by the US Travel Association shows that travel-related unemployment in the US is now at 51% – more than double the worst national unemployment rate recorded during the Great Depression (25%).
AIR
Previously used for sports teams, Air Canada Jetz aircraft is being introduced for general service on select flights – YYZ to YUL and YYZ-YOW – starting June 1. The spacious cabin configuration has 58 business class seats and provides more comfort and personal space with a recliner seat with a 42-49-inch pitch. On board Wi-Fi is available for purchase and passengers will receive two complimentary checked bags. Members are also able to redeem miles for these flights as well.
The Lufthansa Group Airlines – Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air Dolomiti – are now allowing passengers to rebook flights for free through Dec. 31, 2021 (extending the deadline from April 30, 2021). This rule applies to tickets booked up to and including June 30, 2020, and with a confirmed travel date up to and including April 30, 2021.
TOURS
The Travel Corp. has announced newly enhanced COVID-19 related protocols and hygiene standards for guided vacations across all its brands (including Trafalgar, Luxury Gold, Insight, Contiki and Costsaver) once domestic and international travel resumes. The protocols are designed in accordance with guidelines from the World Health Organization and will be updated as needed.
A new app from TravelBrands allows agents to manage their files on the go from their mobile devices. The MyBookings app is available on both the App Store and Google Play and features a variety of functions including receiving notifications on upcoming payments, making payments, viewing e-docs, looking up commission levels, and connecting to the TravelBrands sales team. Meanwhile, TravelBrands reports that Sunquest is now available on its Access platform, as are cruise and air packages.
HOTELS
Kempinski Hotels’ new worldwide ‘Make A Travel Promise’ campaign offers guests the possibility of now making themselves, their partners or family and friends a travel promise for a future stay at one of the brand’s luxurious hotels around the globe through March 2021 when booked by June 10. The offer includes an upgrade to the next higher room category, a bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast and a 25% discount at restaurants and bars, as well as flexible arrival and departure times. On top of this, the cancellation and rebooking conditions have been formulated in “quite a generous manner.”
RESORTS
Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, Florida, will re-open on June 12, 2020, with an updated Free Cancellation Policy to provide flexibility and peace of mind to anyone booking a Club Med stay up to December 2020. Club Med has also introduced new “Safe Together” hygiene and safety protocols in all of the brand’s international resorts.
CRUISE
Given ongoing global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has suspended most sailings through July 31, with the exception of sailings from China, which will be suspended through the end of June.
Small ship cruise operator Windstar Cruises reports that the 148-guest Wind Spirit will be its first yacht to resume sailing after suspending operations further due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Wind Spirit will resume sailing in Tahiti with its first cruise departing on Sept. 3.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Universal Orlando Resort will begin a phased re-opening beginning June 5. Theme park execs says the reopening will be carefully managed and include a wide range of new and enhanced best-practice health, safety and hygiene procedures – including temperature checks for guests – based on guidelines from the CDC and health officials. Plans for re-opening onsite hotels are being finalized. The park has been closed since May 14.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
CIE Tours has released its 2021 groups incentive offer earlier than ever before and with an enhanced advisor bonus. Travel advisors can earn an $800 booking bonus plus commission for booking a group of 10 or more travellers on pre‐set itineraries to Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Iceland and Italy. Plus, there is zero risk with no money required at booking. Additional promotion perks of note: 50/50 co-op is available, there is a special discount for online transactions, advisors can earn up to three free places when booking a full coach, and they can extend an 5% early booking bonus. The offer is valid through June 30.
EVENTS
VisitBritain’s flagship annual Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) event MeetGB, will be run as a virtual educational event on June 17 (for North American buyers). Approximately 60 business event destinations in the UK are expected to participate. For more information and to register, check HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
The US Travel Association and Brand USA named 57 of the world’s highest-volume tour operators and buyers of US travel as recipients of its annual Chairman’s Circle Honors awards. Among the honourees are three Canadian companies: Air Canada Vacations, TravelBrands, and WestJet Vacations.
DESTINATIONS
COVID hasn’t affected the corvids at the Tower of London. Three new raven chicks were born in April, ensuring that the bloodline of the guardians of the palace is secure. Legend has it that if the six resident ravens leave, the kingdom will fall.
The shutdown on Broadway has been extended again — until at least early September. Although an exact date for performances to resume has yet to be determined, Broadway producers in New York are now offering refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased for shows through Sept. 6.
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.