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:
COVID-19
The Globus family of brands – comprising Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways – is voluntarily suspending travel to all destinations until April 30. For travellers affected by the suspension, the company has also unveiled a new Peace of Mind plan that provides clients booked through April 30 the freedom to reschedule their vacation until 2022 to any destination, with any of the Globus family of brands, without incurring cancellation fees. The Plan also offers travellers an additional credit of $50 to $200 p.p. (depending on which brand they originally booked with) when they reschedule their plans.
G Adventures has also suspended all tours through April 30. Any traveller booked on a tour departing between March 16 and April 30 will be eligible for a 110% travel credit of all land services, including pre or post nights and transfers, which can be used on any tour departing within the next two years.
With the exception of Australia, Intrepid Group is suspending Intrepid Travel and Peregrine Adventures tours globally through April 30. Tours that are currently operating will continue until April 3, however any customers who opt to leave their tour early will receive a credit for the remainder of their itinerary.
Sunwing is expanding its flexible change policies for bookings amid COVID-19 outbreak as follows:
⦁ Bookings made before March 4 for travel March 14-30: Customers who did not purchase travel insurance or a Sunwing cancellation waiver can cancel and receive a future travel voucher in the value of the original package price paid, valid through March 31, 2021. An administration fee of $100 p.p. applies.
⦁ Bookings made March 4-13 for travel to June 24: Administration fees associated with the first change for on all new bookings will be waived. New travel dates must be specified at the time of change and any change must be requested at least seven days prior to travel or normal conditions will apply.
⦁ Bookings made March 14-31 for travel to June 24: Customers can cancel their bookings and receive a future travel voucher. A $100 p.p. change fee will apply and any change must be requested at least seven days prior to travel.
Customers who have tickets for cancelled or existing Lufthansa Group Airline (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air Dolomiti) flights can keep the ticket without having to commit to a new flight date until June 1. The ticket and ticket value will remain unchanged and can be rebooked to a new departure date and/or destination up to and including Dec. 31, though price differentials will be charged (but no change fee). The provision applies to tickets booked through March 12 for travel to April 30.
Transat has announced that it is now possible to amend existing group bookings at no charge up to three days before departure, subject to certain conditions. This applies to flights and packages booked before March 4 for travel between March 16 and April 30. Travel may be rescheduled at any time within 12 months of the original travel dates. The other terms and conditions of the flexibility policy remain unchanged.
For all vacation packages including Group bookings purchased before March 4, 2020, with original travel dates up to April 30, 2020, Air Canada Vacations travellers can make one free change or cancel their booking to apply the value to a new trip with alternate travel dates.
For existing Group bookings, travellers may change the travel dates or cancel with an in-house travel credit up to 21 days before departure, with the credit to be used towards the same destination and hotel property. Destinations include Las Vegas, Mexico and the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Europe, with original travel dates up to April 30, 2020. For both existing individual and Group booking changes, travel must be completed by Dec. 31, 2020.
CLIA ocean-going cruise lines have voluntarily suspended cruise ship operations from and to US ports of call for 30 days as public health officials and the US Government continue to address COVID-19.
Several cruise lines have suspended global operations for the immediate future due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The include:
⦁ Princess Cruise Lines: Through May 10.
⦁ Viking: Through April 30
⦁ Windstar: Through April 30
⦁ Disney Cruise Line: Through end of March
⦁ Avalon Waterways: Through April 30 (along with all Globus family of brands tours)
⦁ Virgin Voyages: Delays inaugural cruise until July 15
Universal Orlando Resort has temporarily closed its theme parks and Blue Man Group shows until the end of March, though UOR says it will continue to evaluate the situation. Universal CityWalk remains open.
For the latest advisories on COVID-19, click HERE.
AIR
Effective the end March, Air Canada will suspend flights from Lethbridge, Alta., including service to Calgary and Medicine Hat. The airline says the move is related to lack of performance made more difficult by “the current environment.”
DEALS
More than 22 hotels, resorts and villas in Saint Lucia are offering visitors value-driven specials throughout March and April. The dedicated “Love is in the Air” deals include up to 65% off accommodations, free nights, couples massages, chocolate and rum tastings, in-room treats, complimentary or discounted activities such as golf, private chauffeured island tours and catamaran cruises, VIP airport transfers, hotel credits and more. Check them out HERE.
HOTELS
Each of The Royal Portfolio collection’s four properties in South Africa has now achieved the country’s new 5-Star Premium rating, making the hotel group the first to have done so. Royal Malewane, Birkenhead House, the Silo Hotel, and La Residence have all been awarded the new 5-Star Premium status by the TGCSA – four of only 14 properties to so far achieve the accolade.
Now open:
Spain’s first Kimpton Hotel has opened in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The Kimpton Vividora Hotels has 156 rooms, 10 suites, three restaurants and bars, and a rooftop terrace and pool offering panoramic views of the city. It is located within walking distance to some of the city’s most prominent landmarks.
RESORTS
A new entry on Cuba’s resort scene comes courtesy of Kempinski, which has unveiled a new resort on Cayo Guillermo, about 30 minutes from the airport at Cayo Coco. The luxurious 245-room/suite property is not all-inclusive but features private location, villas, gym & spa, tennis court, kids club, beach club, four restaurants and multiple bars.
Now open:
Hammock Cove is Antigua and Barbuda’s newest luxury resort. Situated on Antigua’s northeast coast, minutes away from the natural landmark “Devil’s Bridge,” the five-star, adults-only, all-inclusive resort features 42 private villas, two restaurants, four bars, personalized room-service, land and water activities, three-level infinity pool, beach access, pickleball court, snorkelling, sailboats, yoga, cigar lounge, wine and rum sommelier tasting and more.
CRUISE
Asian boutique cruise operator Heritage Line is charting blissful new channels by launching a wellness- and mindfulness-focused voyage through the relatively uncharted northern reaches of the Gulf of Tonkin
in Vietnam (photo). The 10-suite ultra-luxury vessel Ylang will sail dedicated three-day/two-night ‘Senses of Lan Ha’ voyages on Lan Ha Bay – less crowded than neighbouring Halong Bay but with the same dramatic scenery – featuring a sumptuous floating spa and onboard meditation and tai chi among its holistic calling cards. Offshore expeditions include soft hiking and cycling on pristine Cat Ba Island and kayaking on the emerald waters of the bay.
Norfolk, Virginia will be a new homeport for Carnival Cruise Line, at least through 2025. The Half Moone Cruise Center will upgrade its facilities as part of the agreement, which will see Carnival Magic become the largest ever cruise to sail from the Norfolk when it embarks on a series of 12 cruises in 2021.
THEME PARKS
Disney has closed its theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Paris at least until the end of the month as a precaution against coronavirus, however, when guests return to Disney World, they’ll discover a new attraction: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which opened to the public on March 4 (photo). Described as the “crowning achievement of the multi-year transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” the Railway is surprisingly the first ride-through attraction in a Disney park dedicated to Mickey and Minnie.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Members of AMResort’s loyalty program who sell a minimum of 14 nights at Zoetry properties by Dec. 10 will have a chance to win accessories from Italian luxury brand, BVLGARI. The three prize awards include watches valued at up to US$5,000, a bag and wallets. Travel must be completed by Dec. 15 and the winner will be chosen Dec. 31.
EVENTS
Travel Texas and partners called in Toronto last week to update the trade on developments in the Lone Star state, which welcomes approximately half a million Canadians a year. Texas boasts seven diverse regions, from the Gulf coast to hill country, as well as cities with vibrant arts/culture, and culinary scenes as well as outdoor adventure, guest ranches, wellness retreats/spas and championship golf resorts. On hand (photo) were Katherine Wise, Visit Austin; Celia Morales, Visit Houston; Amanda Koone, Fredericksburg CVB; McKenna Dowdle, Visit Lubbock; Morgan Taylor, TaxFree Shopping; Diann Bayes, Discover San Angelo; and Debra Bustos and Rosalyn Hunter, Travel Texas. (Missing: Teresa Rodriguez, Visit Corpus Christi)
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Kimberly Hartley has been named the Skal Toronto Club’s “member of the year.” Hartley, who represents Myrtle Beach in Canada was recognized for her “passion and continued support to the club and especially her management of the successful Skal Toronto golf tournament co-hosted by Skal Toronto North.”
BY THE NUMBERS
The 2019 numbers for Europe in with the European Travel Commission reporting that the continent saw 4% growth in arrivals. From Canada, top growth markets included Turkey (+30%), Slovakia (+25%), Slovenia and Lithuania (18%), Cyprus (+15%), Montenegro and Austria (13%) and the UK (+11%). Top drop was Iceland (-30%), followed by Latvia (-16%), and Poland (-14%). In total, nine countries recorded flat growth in either arrivals or overnights from Canadian tourists in 2019.
DESTINATIONS
New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art kicked off 150-anniversary celebrations on March 2 with the re-opening of its British Galleries and will follow with the “Making the Met – 1870-2020” from March 30 to Aug. 2. The exhibition will showcase 250-plus works and chronicle the transformation since opening in 1870. A commemoration on April 13 and public events June 4-6 are also planned.
The Saint Lucia Jazz Festival has announced that it is had added Patti LaBelle as a featured performer this year, her first in over a decade. The “Lady Marmalade” singer will perform an “intimate” concert at The Ramp on Rodney Bay on May 8 and 9. The three-day festival, which kicks off May 7, is produced in collaboration with New York’s Jazz at the Lincoln Centre and will this year return to its all-jazz routes.
Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com.