Destinations
France Moves In The Next Phase
France is moving into the next phase of its plan to end the country’s lockdown today (June 2) following “a significant improvement” in the country’s health situation. As well, the French government has indicated that it is in favour of reopening the internal border of the European Union – including both the Schengen area and the United Kingdom – as of June 15 if the health situation permits and without the obligation of a fortnight’s quarantine for travellers coming from European countries. France also indicated that it will apply the principle of reciprocity for those...
More Support Needed BC Tourism Leaders Say
Additional government support is paramount for one of the province’s hardest hit sectors to successfully get back to work under BC’s Restart Plan say leaders of the largest associations representing tourism, hospitality, and accommodation. While the path forward is welcomed, working capital is vital for businesses to remain solvent until a full path to recovery can be met. The $20.4 billion tourism and hospitality sector was effectively shut down when borders closed and both residents and visitors were told to stay home as COVID-19 unfolded in British Columbia. Since...
Destinations Ease Restrictions, Remain Cautious: UNWTO
New research from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) indicates that destinations are cautiously easing travel restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 as they move towards reopening. The UNWTO’s newly released Global Guidelines for Reopening Tourism signal a transition into gearing up for stronger and better recovery, with 3% of all global destinations having now taken steps to ease travel restrictions. UNWTO has been monitoring the global response to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The fourth edition of its COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions: A Global...
Tourisme Montréal Prepares For The Future
It is an interesting time to hold an annual general meeting, but Tourisme Montréal held its AGM last week during the celebrations of Tourism Week in Canada and 77 days after Québec imposed a lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism organization’s 2019 annual report showcased the highlights of a year marked by prosperity, along with Tourisme Montréal's 100th anniversary. 2019 was a record year, strengthening the organization’s standing as an industry leader and leading its chairman of the board, Philippe Sureau to comment: “Tourisme Montréal's teams did an...
UNWTO Releases Guidelines To Reopen Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a set of guidelines to help tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainably from COVID-19. The guidelines highlight the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and, as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google, to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism. Produced in consultation with the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, the guidelines aim to support governments and private sector to recover from an unparalleled crisis. Depending on when travel restrictions are lifted, the United Nations...
Tracking Travellers’ Perception Of Safety
MMGY Global has launched its new Travel Safety Barometer -- a sentiment tracking tool created for the travel and tourism industry -- to monitor American travellers’ perceptions of how safe it is to engage in specific travel behaviours as the country embarks on its reopening and recovery efforts. Designed by MMGY’s Travel Intelligence research and insights division, the Barometer is an informational resource for both business and leisure travellers and the industry as the coronavirus continues to fundamentally change all aspects of our society, including when, where and how we feel...
Hong Kong Update – Last Chance to Register
Baxter Media is sending out a last call for agents to sign up for a webinar happening tomorrow (May 29) at 2 p.m. (EST). There will be five prize giveaways of $200 e-gift cards available to agents who attend the full duration of the webinar. In this webinar, you will hear how Hong Kong has handled COVID-19, and for those who are new to the destination or need a refresher, they will be providing basic destination information, updating you on the newest developments, as well as providing a glimpse of what you or your clients can experience in Hong Kong. The webinar will be presented...
Portugal Planning A ‘Bridge’ For Brits
Portugal is planning to offer an ‘air bridge’ for British tourists to bypass quarantine rules. It’s a concept that will be positively received by destinations in Portugal that are highly reliant on UK tourism such as the Algarve. In 2019, the UK was Portugal’s second largest source market after Spain, with 2.9 million UK visits. “According to GlobalData’s pre-COVID-19 forecast, UK arrivals to Portugal were expected to grow at a year-on-year (YOY) increase of 3.1% in 2020. GlobalData’s COVID-19 forecast now expects a YOY decrease of -34% in 2020. In 2018, the...