From a sad historical tourism milestone to a and a predicted surge in cruise bookings to TravelBrands plans for a virtual travel expo, here’s a recap of some of last week’s need-to-know travel news:
NEWS
The United Nations World Tourism Organization reports that, for the first time in history, 100% of destinations now have travel restrictions in place. Of these, 83% have had COVID-19-related restrictions in place already for four or more weeks and, as of April 20, so far, no destination has lifted them.
Sunwing Travel Group says it will bring 1,800 employees back on payroll through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program. WestJet announced it will save more than 1,000 pilot jobs through similar measures.
BY THE NUMBERS
Global passenger traffic results for March 2020 show that airline passenger demand has declined 52.9% – the largest drop in recent history – compared to a year ago, according to IATA. In seasonally adjusted terms, global passenger volumes returned to levels last seen in 2006.
AIR
Airlines continue to invoke face-covering protocols for passengers. The latest include the Lufthansa Group, Alaska and Frontier airlines.
Porter Airlines is extending its temporary suspension of all flights due to COVID-19 by four weeks until June 29. The airline stopped flying on March 21 as travel restrictions and public health measures were increasing in North America.
TRAINING
Free online professional development courses covering a range of diverse topics are now being offered to Canadian travel counsellors by the Jamaica Tourist Board. Developed in partnership with ACTA, the JTB-sponsored training program will give agents an opportunity to enhance their business acumen, master new software platforms, develop coping strategies for this period of uncertainty, and acquire new skills and practical tools to prepare for the future. Travel agents can access the free training portal and register for classes HERE.
Also in May, JTB will financial bursaries to agents who are interested in completing their Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) and/or Certified Travel Manager (CTM) accreditation. Under the partnership, enrolment fees for both ACTA-certified training programs will be offered at 50% off the regular price from May 1 to 30
DEALS
Clients that book Air Canada Vacations packages to the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida, Hawaii or Las Vegas, Europe and Canada in May can take advantage of a reduced (non-refundable) deposit of $100 p.p. instead of $250. Travel dates are valid June 1 to April 30, 2021. Groups and cruise bookings are not eligible.
HOTELS
The Britannia Hotel in Trondheim, Norway, reopened last week after 44 days of closure as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The hotel opened in 1870 and was shuttered on March 16 because of the pandemic. “This hotel has seen a lot in its 150-year history,” said Britannia’s MD Mikael Forselius. “It has survived two world wars, the influenza pandemic of 1918-19 and now Covid-19; we are thrilled to be reopening our doors as spring brightens up Norway’s third-largest city.”
Peru’s Inkaterra Hotels has extended 2020 rates through Dec. 31, 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The brand, which owns seven hotels and lodges throughout Peru, will honour its current room rates through next year to cater to travellers whose plans are temporarily on hold due to the pandemic.
RESORTS
AMResorts’ Virtual Vacation Series continues this week culminating in an Instragram Live event Friday, May 8, where participants have a chance to win a three-night vacation at one of the chain’s properties. Until then, AMR is offering up craft cocktail and appetizer recipes, virtual party planning tips, curated playlists, suggested dress codes and other fun activities. Head HERE for info.
CRUISE
Pent-up cruise demand is expected to lead to a surge in bookings later this year and next.
Bookings for future cruises are expected to surge for late 2020 and 2021 sailings, according to online cruise marketplace CruiseCompete, which reports that approximately half of passengers are choosing to accept cruise line credits for the future rather than cancelling.
MSC Cruises has extended the halting of all its cruise departures fleet-wide through to July 10. MSC Cruises Canada is offering guests affected by this measure a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) where they have the opportunity to transfer the full amount paid for their cancelled cruise plus an additional 25% credit to a future cruise of their choice, on any ship and any itinerary, departing on or before Dec. 31, 2021. Any applicable pre-paid items and government taxes will be refunded to the original form of payment.
INCENTIVES
In support of Travel Agent Day and Month in May and to thank travel counsellors for their loyalty, Trafalgar is inviting agents to have some “lighthearted fun” by joining weekly trivia games taking place all month. Participants will have a chance to win prizes, including a $1,000 travel credit towards a future Trafalgar trip. For details visit Groups/TrafalgarTribeCA on Facebook.
EVENTS
Necessity is the mother of invention: TravelBrands is launching its first-ever virtual trade show for Canadian travel professionals on May 7 from noon to 4 p.m. EST. Agents will have the ability to network with their peers, interact with suppliers, download videos, brochures and attend webinars. Downloadable materials will be made available in a virtual brief case and prizes will be awarded. To register for the event, which will be hosted in English and French, visit HERE.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has decided to postpone its Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for June 30 to Sept. 17, 2020.
DESTINATIONS
In honour of Earth Day (April 22), Los Cabos (above) has introduced a newly curated sound meditation program in partnership with the Mexican Interdisciplinary Musical Therapy Institute. The “journey of personal reflection” features 15 different therapeutic playlists including natural sounds of water, earth, wind, fire and more with frequencies specially designed to promote stress reduction, healing, wellness and emotional well-being. LISTEN.
Antigua Carnival, originally scheduled to take place July 23-Aug. 4, has been cancelled. Plans for Independence celebrations starting Oct. 24 are continuing.
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.