It’s a mixed bag of travel and tourism news today, folks. There’s good news from Italy, Saint Lucia and the Florida Keys, but strong, ongoing concerns about this summer’s tourism season for Canada. I’ve got a series of reports on those and other topics in my regular Future of Travel blog report.
ITALY OPENING SOON
San Leo is another stately hilltop town in Emilia-Romagna. PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM EMILIA-ROMAGNA
I don’t know how easy it is to get there right now, but there’s good news on the tourism front for Italy, one of the world’s most-loved destinations (and where I met my wife!). Here’s a report from my colleagues at TravelPulse in the U.S.
According to Reuters Italy’s government this morning announced its approval of a national decree that will allow cross-border travel from June 3, 2020, as the hard-hit country begins to emerge from one of the world’s harshest COVID-19 lockdowns.
Beginning the same day, the government will likewise re-enable free movement between Italy’s separate regions, which has thus far been tightly restricted, and its fourteen-day quarantine mandate will also be lifted.
Specifically, inbound and outbound travel to Italy from within the European Union will be opened from June 3, although external European borders (i.e., the rest of the world) will remain closed until at least June 15. The European Commission is set to decide, at that point, whether to lift the lockdown or to extend it even further.
LOVELY SAINT LUCIA OPENS EARLY JUNE
The Government of Saint Lucia has announced a phased approach to reopening the island’s tourism sector in a responsible manner, beginning June 4, 2020.
The strategy, which was unveiled by Sant Lucia’s Minister of Tourism Honourable Dominic Fedee, protects nationals and visitors from the threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) through advance testing; daily screening and monitoring of staff and visitors; sanitization at various points throughout the travelers’ journey; and new social distancing protocols.
Phase One of the reopening includes welcoming international flights at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) from the United States only. (I’m trying to find out, but I assume Canadians can visit if they fly in from the U.S.)
Travellers are advised to check with airlines regarding flight schedules and rules prior to booking. In anticipation of these first visitors, some 1,500 hotel rooms in Saint Lucia are being prepared to open in early June, pending completion of a new COVID-19 certification process.
To protect residents and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, Saint Lucia closed its borders to international markets on March 23, 2020. Since then, the island has followed safety protocols recommended by the World Health Organization and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, collaborated with the local Department of Health and Wellness, observed shelter-in-place guidelines, and created a COVID-19 Task Force to plan for a responsible reopening. To date, Saint Lucia has recorded 18 cases of COVID-19, and all individuals have fully recovered. No active cases are currently being investigated.
Minister Fedee said the phased approach to reopening, which continues through July 31, 2020, resulted from national COVID-19 Task Force consultations with on-island industry stakeholders.
FLORIDA KEYS JOIN THE TREND
Pull up a chair at Pines and Palms Resort in Islamorada and enjoy a fine Florida sunset. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Florida Keys officials Sunday night announced they are targeting Monday, June 1, to reopen the Keys to visitors following the island chain’s closure to tourists March 22 to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19.
The easing of visitor restrictions is to coincide with the planned June 1 suspension of checkpoints on two roads leading from the South Florida mainland to the Keys. In addition, plans call for arriving passenger screenings at Key West International and Florida Keys Marathon International airports to be suspended as well.
Lodging is to be limited to 50% of standard occupancy during beginning stages of reopening. Local leaders are to examine the situation later in June to make determinations regarding relaxing occupancy restrictions.
New coronavirus infections in Monroe County have been greatly reduced, health officials said, and the infection rate in Miami-Dade and Broward has eased, enabling leaders in those counties to begin reopening businesses and public facilities. Those were keys factors that led to the determination of a targeted Keys tourism reopening date.
New disinfecting and social distancing guidelines, as well as mandatory wearing of face coverings for both visitors and tourism industry staff members, are to be initiated with input from the Florida Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
As the world adjusts to new travel norms and expectations, IHG® Hotels & Resorts, which includes Holiday Inn and other major brands) is enhancing the experience for its hotel guests around the world, by redefining cleanliness and supporting guests’ personal well-being throughout their stay.
Using new, science-led protocols and service measures, partnering with industry leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and DIversey, and launching a global IHG Clean Promise, the strengthened measures will give guests greater confidence and hotel teams the protection needed.
Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, commented: “The future of travel may look different, but a safe, secure stay is fundamental to deliver True Hospitality – and that will never change. By combining IHG’s world-class knowledge and processes, with cutting-edge expertise from Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, we can reassure guests and colleagues that we’re focused on protecting their health and well-being. This includes looking at where technology can make a difference, deploying enhanced, highly visible and more frequent cleaning measures, and different approaches to food and beverage, all underpinned by our new IHG Clean Promise.”
Enhancing IHG Way of Clean
IHG has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning procedures. Launched in 2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme was developed with Ecolab and Diversey, both world leaders in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services. This program is now being expanded with additional COVID-19 protocols and best practices – many of which are already in place – to reflect the advice of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and local public health authorities in markets around the world.
IHG Way of Clean already includes deep cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants and going forward guests can expect to see evolved procedures in every area of the hotel, which may include:
· Reception: Reduced contact at check-in, touchless transactions, front-desk screens, sanitizer stations, sanitized key cards, paperless checkout
· Guest Room: Visible verification of sanitized items (e.g., glassware, remote control), reduction of in-room furnishings/high-touch items, new laundry protocols, use of new technology
· Public Spaces and Facilities: Additional deep cleaning of high-touch surfaces, social distancing, “last cleaned” charts, best practices for pools, fitness centres and lounges
· Food & Beverage: New standards and service approach to buffets, banquets, room service and catering.
TRAVEL SURVEY AND TRAVEL WRITERS/INFLUENCERS
A travel media survey conducted in April by CM Communications, a leading PR agency specializing in travel and hospitality, discovered that travel journalists and social influencers are ready to travel for the purpose of writing stories and sharing their experiences with consumers, as soon as stay-at-home orders allow. The survey, which included responses from over 400 editors, freelance journalists, bloggers, and Instagrammers from major markets nationwide, shows that 25% are willing to travel immediately and 36% will be ready to visit hotels and resorts within 1-2 months of when restrictions are lifted.
“We are very encouraged by the enthusiastic response to our travel media survey,” said Lori Moretti, Principal of CM Communications. “As we’re working closely with our hotel and restaurant clients on their re-opening PR strategies, we will incorporate insight gained from our colleagues in the media to help guide us on story development and in planning press trips and itineraries.”
According to Moretti, the survey proves that it’s not too soon for travel destinations, hotels, resorts and restaurants to plan how they will leverage the power of earned media to kick-start business and capture market share in what could prove to be a highly competitive environment for consumer travel.
Other highlights of the travel media survey include:
- 73% of respondents say they look forward to taking a beach or lakeside getaway
- 53% are interested in enjoying a road trip through scenic countryside
When asked about expectations for safety precautions at hotels:
- 90% say they expect hand sanitizers throughout the property
- 89% expect more rigorous cleaning techniques
- 59% want guest service staff to wear masks and gloves
A LOST SUMMER FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND?
The East End Lighthouse on PEI is a beauty. It’s a relatively easy climb to the top.
The Globe and Mail has a sad story on the impact of lost tourism on beautiful Prince Edward Island, one of fave parts of Canada. Here’s their report:
“The Island began reopening its society and economy on May 1, and all of its 27 COVID-19 cases are considered recovered. Yet, the provincial and federal borders remain closed for tourism.
“’The numbers are going to be devastating,’” PEI Tourism Minister Matthew MacKay said. “’I can’t think of a touristic sector on the island that has not been affected.’”
“Tourism is responsible for 6.4 per cent of PEI’s annual GDP – the highest percentage for a province in Canada. In 2019, related expenditure by residents and visitors exceeded $500-million for the first time, said Brenda Gallant, Tourism PEI’s director of marketing and communications. This year, the province has no choice but to be unwelcoming to visitors,” the Globe reported.
“The Charlottetown Festival, which features Anne of Green Gables – The Musical, the world’s longest-running annual musical theatre production, was scrapped for the first time in its 56 years of history. Cancelling the shows affects close to 175 jobs and will result in roughly $4-million of lost revenue, according to Steve Bellamy, chief executive officer of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. (The festival is the main economic driver of the centre, generating approximately 40 per cent of its revenue.) He estimates spinoff losses for the local economy could be as much as $20-million.”
I don’t see the story online right now, but today’s Globe and Mail print version has another story on the devastating effect that cruise cancellations will have on the country’s tourism sector. PEI will be especially hard hit, as will Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia and The Yukon, which gets a lot of visitors trekking in from Alaska.
HAWAII QUARANTINE TO CONTINUE?
My friends at TravelPulse in the U.S. say the state of Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors, which is being enforced, is due to expire on May 31 but likely be extended another month.
SUMMER ROAD TRIPS FOR SURE
Americans are likely to head to the beach when the coronavirus pandemic ends Pictured here is Capitola Beach in California. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Yet another report, this time out of the U.S., suggests 2020 will be the year of the road trip.
A new survey found that most Americans will wait around two months before hitting the road again once the coronavirus outbreak is contained, according to TravelPulse. According to the study by Mower, an independent marketing, advertising and public relations agency, almost 75 percent of the people surveyed would feel comfortable traveling by car after around 60 days.
When asked about the comfort level when traveling on the first day after the viral pandemic is deemed under control, 28 percent would travel via car, 16 percent would fly and only 12 percent would travel internationally.
By Day 30, 51 percent would travel via car, 24 percent would fly and 23 percent would travel internationally. By Day 60, though, 73 percent would travel via car, 56 percent would fly and 42 percent would travel internationally.
As for hotel stays, only 18 percent said they would book an overnight stay on Day 1, 40 percent would book by Day 30 and 65 percent would book by Day 60.
The survey also focused on destinations and attractions, with 26 percent of respondents saying they would head to the beach on Day 1, while the number skyrockets to 72 percent by Day 60.
Other activities such as theme parks, spas and casinos have travelers more skittish, with only around 15 percent ready to return on Day 1, while the numbers jump up to approximately 50 percent by the time Day 60 rolls around.
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Besides PEI, what about travel to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Cape Breton Island?
It’s going to be a problem all over the Maritimes and NL/Labrador. Hoping things get better soon as I love that part of Canada.