Destinations
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...
Caribbean Youth Have Message Of Hope
In a new video -- https://vimeo.com/402698633 -- young leaders of the Caribbean tourism sector are throwing their support behind calls to heed the advice of public health officials to stay at home so that the region's leading economic sector can rebound quickly once the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic subsides. The recently established COVID-19 Caribbean Tourism Task Force is enlisting the dynamism and innovativeness of young hospitality professionals to encourage protective practices by Caribbean nationals, especially younger ones, many of whom have been slow to respond...
Israel: Start Planning Now
There’s no better time than now to start planning a trip to Israel with its golden sandy beaches, the great outdoors, ancient history, and modern metropolises. Discover the richness of this breathtaking country through an exclusive Mandarin-only webinar on April 23, 2020 at 1PM. Whether you want to relax on the year round sunny beaches of Tel Aviv and Eilat, find inspiration at the magnificent and sacred city of Jerusalem, bathe in the therapeutic waters of the dead sea, or bask in the magic of the desert, Israel, the land of creation, as it all. IMPORTANT NOTE: This webinar...
Hong Kong: The Right Recovery Strategy
GlobalData says that Hong Kong’s tourism recovery strategy could be successful following the destination’s tourism chief, Dane Cheng saying that tourism will be returning back to normality in July and the destination will be focusing on attracting mainland visitors and new markets. Amber Barnes, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, observed that: “China is a dominant source market for Hong Kong, accounting for 77% of arrivals in 2019. Focusing marketing efforts on this source market will also boost tourism numbers and allow Hong Kong decrease its recovery...