Destinations
‘Safer At Home’ Initiative Launched By Florida Keys
The Florida Keys tourism council has launched a “safer at home” initiative to promote “stay-at-home” directives to combat COVID-19, while also sensitively maintaining awareness of the Florida Keys as a destination. The social media-based “Safer@Home” program encourages Facebook, Instagram and Twitter fans and followers to tune in for live-stream Keys content while staying safely sequestered in their own homes. The initiative is to feature social posts showcasing virtual tours of local attractions and wildlife facilities, Keys nature scenes and nature-based activities,...
“Impossible To Execute” – IPW Cancelled
IPW 2020 has been cancelled. The announcement was made by U.S. Travel Association (USTA) president and CEO, Roger Dow. Dow said that: “Following a thorough decision-making process in which we explored every viable option to proceed this year, we are saddened to announce that IPW 2020 is cancelled.” The association’s president and CEO, explained that: “The circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic—including global travel restrictions, flight reductions, mandated social distancing, and stay-at-home orders both in the U.S. and abroad—have made this year’s...
Virus Still Impacting On US Travel Plans
While Longwoods International’s latest tracking study of US travellers reports that 85% of them are changing their travel plans for the next six months because of COVID-19, there might be a glimmer of hope, considering that that’s about the same percentage as previously reported. The tracking study also found that changing trips from international to domestic and from air travel to auto travel continue to occur but were less frequent than in previous weeks. One bright spot in the survey results, the percentage of American travellers planning trips in the next six months rose...
Thanks A Million, Says WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is praising the millions of people around the world in the travel and tourism sector for going the extra mile to lend crucial help to combat the global coronavirus pandemic. The huge thank you from World Travel & Tourism Council president & CEO Gloria Guevara was made on behalf of travel companies throughout the globe’s private sector. Millions of people employed by WTTC member companies large and small have volunteered their time and expertise, many putting their own lives on the line, to provide essential help to their...
Tourism Industry Will Be Key To Recovery: WTTC
In a new report, the World Travel & Tourism Council details the critical role that the travel and tourism industry will play in the economic recovery of the Americas once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. The WTTC’s latest annual Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals that travel and tourism accounts for 8.8% of the total economy in the Americas and approximately 45 million jobs, or 9.8% of their total workforce. As well, the report reveals international visitor spend totaled $324 billion, representing 7.3% of all exports. Commenting on the findings, Gloria Guevara, WTTC...
Holland America Continues To Pause Operations
With continued port closures, including Canada’s cruise ship suspension until July 1, along with other travel restrictions due to global health concerns, Holland America Line is extending its pause of global cruise operations and cancelling all sailings scheduled to depart through June 30, 2020. This includes Alaska, Canada/New England and Europe cruises. In Alaska, the cruise line is cancelling all of its Alaska sailings for summer 2020 on Maasdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam and Westerdam. In addition, all Land+Sea Journeys are cancelled. A Land+Sea Journey combines a Holland...
Princess Cancels All Voyages Through June 30
Princess Cruises is canceling all voyages through June 30, 2020 in response to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 global outbreak and the recent order from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/index.html) Previously, the cruise line had announced a voluntary pause for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10, 2020. As well, Princess Cruises is confirming modifications to its Alaska season, which includes the cancellation of all Princess Alaska Gulf cruise...
I Do … But When?
Destination wedding experts weigh in on the biggest challenges they’re facing right now, like the uncertainty of not knowing how far ahead to plan, and how they’re handling bookings during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many of us agents are living in fear right now — that’s the honest truth,” Stephanie Griffiths of Mangata Escapes tells Travel Courier. “We have brides lined up for the rest of the 2020 year and we have no idea what is going to happen with these. Not only due to the virus itself but also with guest affordability to attend these weddings.” Even now, for...