Swoop comes back to Pearson, Westjet implements a zero-tolerance policy in support of the requirement for all guests, over the age of two, to wear masks and face coverings and Cunard pauses cruises till spring.
NEWS
Canada is once again extending restrictions on travellers to combat the spread of COVID-19. International arrivals in September are required to quarantine for 14 days if they don’t show COVID-19 symptoms or isolate for 14 days if they do.
Effective tomorrow (Sept. 1), WestJet will support the requirement for all guests, over the age of two, to wear masks and face coverings. Non-compliant guests will face penalties including denied boarding, return of the aircraft to the gate to offload the passenger and the suspension of travel on any WestJet Group aircraft for up to one year.
Today marks the first commercial flight (by El Al) between Israel and the United Arab Emirates after an agreement between the two countries to normalize relations.
RE-OPENING/RESTART
Oct. 25 will mark the resumption of service for Swoop at Toronto Pearson, including both domestic and international routes. Details will be released in September.
The Mirage is the latest Las Vegas hotel-casino to re-open.
New York museums are beginning to re-open in September, amongst them the Whitney Museum of American Art, which unlocks its doors this week (Sept. 3). Visitors can “pay what you wish” until Sept. 28.
DELAYED/CANCELLED
G Adventures has further suspended tours departing up to and including Oct. 31 as well as the November and December departures of its G Expedition ship. This comes with the exception of a selection of October departures operating in Europe for travel that is possible between certain countries.
Due to travel limitations, Princess Cruises is cancelling its Island Princess 2021 World Cruise sailing from North America, including associated segments and remaining voyages sailing immediately prior; and Pacific Princess 2021 Circle South America sailing from Australia, including associated positioning cruises
A pause in operations by Cunard has been extended until March 25 for the Queen Elizabeth, April 18 for the QM2 and May 16 for the Queen Victoria.
AIR
After 14 years of construction and nine years after it was first expected to open, Berlin’s new airport is set to begin operations on Oct 31. Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), also known as Willy Brandt airport, will replace Tegel as the city’s main airport.
Air Canada Aeroplan members can now accumulate and redeem miles for travel with Indian airline Vistara, which serves 34 destinations from its hub in New Delhi.
DEALS
The new ‘Micro-Deposits for Micro-Cations’ offer from Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line allows travellers to book future sailings to Grand Bahama Island or Nassau for early 2021 with a $25 deposit p.p. Travellers will also receive a host of perks, including 10 free drinks, a $50 onboard credit, free WiFi, and kids sail free.
Last Frontier Heliskiing has created a “once-in-a-lifetime half-price heliskiing” offer exclusively for Canadians for the upcoming ski season. Catch is, the offer only applies if Canada’s border remains closed to international visitors. If it reopens before ski season in January, 2021, then the offer is voided and money refunded. If it doesn’t, Canadians can get a northern BC heliskiing holiday for a fraction of the usual cost.
TOURS
A new series of four close-to-home trips for Millennial and Gen-Z travellers is now on offer from Contiki from December onwards. The four- to six-day itineraries feature experiences such as staying in a pod hotel in Whistler, skiing in Banff, visiting a sugar shack in Quebec, biking ride on the Confederation Trail in PEI, and kayaking on the Bay of Fundy. Booking by Oct. 15 prompts a 15% discount.
HOTELS
Cambria Hotels continues its expansion across the US, including The Cambria Hotel Ocean City Bayfront in Maryland and Cambria Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in Rohnert Park, Ca. Both hotels feature upscale amenities for guests. Since January, Cambria has opened six new hotels across the country, including Bloomington, Minn.; Greenville and Summerville, SC; and Madeira Beach, Fla.
Guests looking to keep their bubble intact and have a socially distanced sleepover with close family and friends can turn to the “Double Bubble getaway“ staycation package at The Drake Hotel, which allows guests to book two rooms on the night for the price of one. The offer is valid until Oct. 8.
RESORTS
Nassau’s five-star Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant is inviting Canadians to work or study remotely in Nassau, Bahamas. The hotel’s “Workation Special” offers 50% savings based on a minimum 14-night stay and includes a spacious room or suite with daily continental breakfast, all hotel amenities and activities, and business necessities such as high-speed internet; use of a printer, power strip and IT support. Generator power backup ensures connectivity in case of blackout. Rates start at USD$3,474 per room for two through Dec. 25. (Bahamas entry protocols must be observed).
CRUISE
A new ship on the Mekong River will be launched by Viking next summer. Currently under construction, the 80-guest Viking Saigon is scheduled to debut on the Aug. 30, 2021, Magnificent Mekong cruisetour departure. The river cruise portion of the itinerary sails between Kampong Cham, Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Bookings for Holland America Line’s 2021 Grand Africa Voyage and 2022 Grand World Voyage are now open. Additionally, early booking benefits feature amenities valued at up to $6,760 and 3% savings when paid in full by select dates. Both cruises depart Fort Lauderdale – the 71-day Africa circumnavigation cruise aboard Zaandam on Oct. 10, 2021, and the 50-port, 27-country Grand World Voyage on Jan. 2, 2022.
BY THE NUMBERS
Web marketplace CruiseCompete.com reports that 58.7% of respondents to its most recent survey say that they plan to compare COVID protocols on board before choosing their next cruise line. And most plan to cruise again before the end of 2021: 86.6% somewhat likely, 62.3% definitely or very likely. Other attitude changes in this new era include more interest in cruises requiring fewer flights (20.8%) and smaller ocean ships (17.7%). Only 12.8% expect to have less money to spend, and just 10.3% have an increased interest in river cruising.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Agents will earn bonus Bonbon points on South bookings made by Sept. 11 with Transat’s “Here Comes the Sun Promo”: $30 per room (6x Bonbon) on the Luxury and Distinction Collections packages; $15 per room (3x Bonbon) on South, Florida, New Orleans, Spain, Portugal and Duo packages.
EVENTS
A special edition of Jamaica’s weekly ‘Irie Hour’ series for travel agents is set to take place tomorrow (Sept. 1) at 2:30 p.m. (EDT). The JTB team will host a ‘Resilience & Recovery’ themed edition with guest speaker, career coach and motivational speaker Cindy Stradling, who will offer travel advisors tips and strategies on how to grow their business during this challenging period. Register HERE.
Nov. 12-13: ACTA’s upcoming two-day Virtual Travel Industry Summit will include keynote speakers, critical updates from government and industry leaders, and opportunities to connect with peers. There will also be a virtual trade show. More details are to come.
EDUCATION
Agents can become a Miami specialist through the Greater Miami and the Beaches Travel Agent Academy. The course cover’s the city’s eclectic art scene, eclectic neighbourhoods, outdoor opportunities and adventures and more. Enrol HERE.
DESTINATIONS
Passengers travelling through Istanbul Airport can now pass the time before or between flights at the facility’s new museum, which will focus on culture and art from throughout Turkish history. The museum also offers introductory information on 18 places in Turkey listed as World Cultural Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Peru will mark 200 years of independence on July 28, 2021, with Bicentenario 2021, a project that will include artistic and cultural events both in Peru and abroad. Planning is underway, with details to be revealed in the coming months.
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.