Canada has extended its ban on cruise ships, Jamaica is getting creative with insurance, and Sunwing promises clean machines…
NEWS
Canada has extended its prohibition of cruise ships with more than 100 people from sailing in Canadians waters until Feb. 28, 2021, due to the pandemic. As well, passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador Coast. The ban had been scheduled to end on Oct. 31.
Tourism New Zealand’s “100% Pure New Zealand Marketing Hub” is now live. Designed to provide professionally designed and customizable marketing tools to help agents sell the destination, the platform includes an extensive library of customizable videos, emails, social posts, web banners, print and digital advertisements, sales flyers, images, articles, and presentation decks. The Hub also features general brand materials, specific marketing campaigns, as well as themed travel experiences. An introductory Zoom webinar will be held Nov. 17. To join the hub, click HERE.
The Alliance of Pioneer Travel Operators (APTO) has announced a partnership with the World Travel Mart (WTM) designed to benefit association members taking part at WTM London (Nov. 9-11) and its other regional shows. The organizations are also committed to sharing information and expertise with the goal of furthering best practices and travel recovery from the pandemic. APTO is an exclusive international alliance of travel operators representing organizations that have pioneered commercial tourism in their respective countries.
INSURANCE
Jamaica has launched a new compulsory travel protection and emergency medical service plan for visitors covering COVID-19 but also “all hazards,” including natural disasters. The cost is US$40, to be included as part of the country’s Travel Authorization application on visitjamaica.com. Included is case management, transport logistics, field rescue, evacuation and repatriation for medical emergencies, international health coverage up to US$100,000 for visitors travelling to and from Jamaica and on-island health coverage up to US$50,000. The plan is expected to be implemented in November.
RE-OPENING/RE-START
Peru’s Machu Picchu re-opened to the public Sunday after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The closure marked only the second time the former Incan citadel has been shut down since it opened its doors to tourism in 1948 – the first in 2010 due to torrential rains. Only 675 visitors were allowed to enter, compared to the usual 3,000/day.
Quebec ski resort Tremblant says it’s ready for ski season in November. A host of pandemic measures have been implemented, from enhanced health and safety and social distancing to controlled visitation levels, advanced lift tickets and cancelled undated passes, modified F&B options, and more.
DELAYED/CANCELLED
Due to the uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in operations for cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand through May 31, 2021.
Macy’s says Santa Claus won’t be greeting kids at its flagship New York store this year due to the coronavirus, interrupting a holiday tradition started nearly 160 years ago. More than a quarter of a million people see Santa at Macy’s in New York each year.
AIR
Upon resumption of flights this week (Nov. 6), Sunwing reports that all of its aircraft will be treated using AEGIS Microbe Shield, a powerful antimicrobial spray that controls and prevents the growth of bacteria on surfaces. The health and safety measure is part of the airline’s “Safe with Sunwing” commitment.
Air Canada has successfully attained the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) certification. Introduced last year by IATA, the IWT certification incorporates the 11 commitments of the United for Wildlife (UFW) Buckingham Palace Declaration for airlines engaged in fighting the trade in illegal wildlife.
The airport improvement fee at Montréal-Trudeau Airport is increasing by $5 per passenger to $35 effective Feb. 1.
BY THE NUMBERS
According to IATA, a survey of travellers reveals indicates widespread support for testing in place of quarantine: 83% will not fly if they have to quarantine on arrival, but 88% say that they are willing to be tested to facilitate travel; 65% agree that quarantine is not necessary if a person tests negative for COVID-19; some 39% stated that the government should pay for testing, while only 25% believed it should be the responsibility of travellers.
CAR RENTAL
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has opened its first locations in Aruba and Panama, as well as 25 additional branches in Brazil. The new locations – which are already taking reservations – join the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands in all three countries, all owned by Enterprise Holdings.
DEALS
A new 25% single supplement offer joins the extension of special offers for travel in 2021 and 2022 by AmaWaterways. Available for bookings made by Dec. 31, the offers also include free roundtrip airfare for select 2021 European river cruises and a 5% early booking Reward for 2022 Europe, Mekong and Egypt itineraries.
TOURS
Quark Expeditions’ Arctic 2022 season line-up of voyages has been released featuring the new polar ship, Ultramarinem, helicopter-supported adventure options, a Greenland adventure itinerary, plus special itineraries that include the return of the popular Under the Northern Lights expedition to Iceland and Greenland and a voyage dedicated to photography in Spitsbergen, Norway. Included in the 18 voyages will itineraries in Canada, Russia, Scandinavia and Greenland.
Western Canadians can now holiday in Mexico with Air Canada Vacations. Destinations include Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Los Cabos, and Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo – all out of Vancouver, while Winnipeg-Cancun takes off Feb. 6.
CRUISE
MSC Cruises reports it will be the first cruise line in the world to install a new and advanced innovative technology sanitation system called ‘Safe Air’ to improve further the quality and cleanliness of the onboard air for its guests and crew. “Safe Air” will be fitted on MSC Seashore, currently under construction and set to be delivered in July 2021.
Similarly, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises says it will employ the ACT CleanCoat disinfecting solution on all its ships. The non-toxic, odorless antimicrobial coating will also be used at sister company, Red Carnation Hotels.
RESORTS
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has enhanced its “How We Care” pandemic peace of mind program with “Travel at Ease,” a complimentary assistance package that provides services and support in case of the disruption of the guest’s vacation due to symptoms of COVID-19. Available through August, 2021, at company resorts in in Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Brazil, the program includes extension of stay at no cost for those tested positive and their families, and isolation rooms with all necessary amenities, along with full refund and airport transfer in case of early departure. Full details are available on the Iberostar web site.
Dreams Vista Cancun Resort & Spa will now open Nov. 5, six days earlier than expected. The resort says minor repairs to damage sustained by Hurricane Delta have been completed ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa is set to open and begin receiving guests on Dec. 15.
HOTELS
Mark the calendar, Rosewood Amsterdam will open in 2023, The ultra-luxury hospitality group’s 11th property in Europe and first in the Netherlands will be housed in the historical former Palace of Justice building overlooking the Prinsengracht (the Prince’s Canal) and close to many of the city’s top attractions including the museum district, the high-end shopping district on P.C. Hooftstraat and the hip De Pijp neighbourhood.
Barbados’ Fairmont Royal Pavilion will reopen its doors to guests and visitors on Nov. 1. This includes select guest services and food and beverage options.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Wild Florida Airboats, Gator Park & Drive-thru Safari has announced a massive expansion to its facility with the purchase of a 185-acre plot of land adjacent to its Drive-thru Safari Park. The new space will allow the central Florida attraction on Lake Cypress to expand its existing herds of wildlife and introduce many more rescued and relocated animals.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
Travel agents can win a five-night adventure cruise with UnCruise Adventures as part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations, set to begin Dec. 16. The “Adventure Ahead” sweepstakes conclude Dec. 15: for details visit the company Facebook page or UNCRUISE.COM.
EVENTS
Nov. 5: Carnival Cruise Line’s Senior VP of Trade Sales and Marketing Adolfo Perez has launched a new webcast conversation series: “From Adolfo’s Desk LIVE.” Debuting Nov. 5 with Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy as its first guest, the webcast will provide advisors with access, answers and support on topics ranging from health and safety protocols and onboard dining and entertainment experiences to shore excursions and itinerary planning. Register through Carnival’s agent portal, GoCCL.com.
Nov. 12: ACTA will be featuring a travel industry trade show between 1 and 3 p.m. EST on day one – Nov. 12 – of its upcoming two-day Virtual Travel Industry Summit. With over 50 exhibitors already confirmed, the trade show will feature information from some of the top suppliers and destinations in the industry. Attendees will be eligible for great prizes. Register for the Summit HERE.
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
During its recent 81st AGM (held online), Skal International elected Bill Rheaume of Canada president of the executive board for 2021. Rheaume has been a member of Skål International since 1992, serving as president of Skål Canada as well as president of the International Council for two years prior to being elected as a director at the Skål World Congress in Mombasa, Kenya in 2018.
DESTINATIONS
Massachusetts’ Salem Witch Museum is offering an online tour of Salem witchcraft trials sites related to the events of the year 1692, including original houses, foundations, grave sites, and sites marked by historic markers. Also included are the approximate locations of the homes of key figures that are no longer standing and have provided additional information about the roles these people played in 1692. For the online tour –
The belated inauguration of the new Bourse de Commerce/ Collection Pinault contemporary art museum in Paris is now scheduled take place on Jan. 23, 2021. Designed by architect Tadao Ando, it will be housed in the former Commodity Exchange, the Bourse du Commerce, in the heart of the city. The dome-topped building with 3,000 sq. m. of exhibition spaces will host the 5,000-piece Pinault art collection.
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