Special air arrangements between specific countries. A new Thailand health and safety program. A spike in U.S. hotel occupancy. And aid for Newfoundland tourism. I’ve got news on these and other topics today in my regular Future of Travel blog.
BUBBLES AND BRIDGES
We’ve gotten used to a whole lot of new buzz words of late, including “physical distancing.”
Now comes a couple new concepts related to travel: “air bridges” and “travel bubbles.”
They’re both similar concepts that could help spark a tourism resurgence in certain parts of the world, but only with certain travellers.
Australia and New Zealand have talked about a “travel bubble” as a system that would allow folks to shuttle back and forth between the two countries, both of which seem to have handled the COVID-19 pandemic pretty well (especially the Kiwis).
A story from NBC news says the idea “is to allow people from countries with low levels of infection to travel freely, with no requirement to endure a 14-day quarantine at their destination.
The European nations of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have already created what they are calling a “Baltic travel bubble,” allowing one another’s citizens to travel among the three states without having to self-isolate on arrival.
NBC says a similar idea was floated Monday by British Transportation Minister Grant Shapps, raising the hopes of Britons eager for sun-splashed European getaways after a two-month lockdown.
Very interesting part of the reopening debate. Not sure if Canada would consider this, but it’s worth thinking about. The airlines would certainly love to fly to more destinations, and places such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia all seem to have done a pretty good job dealing with the pandemic.
THAILAND HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
The Big Buddha is a famous site on Koh Samui in Thailand.
Thailand’s tourism and health authorities have teamed up to launch a unique certification program aimed at preparing the Thai tourism industry for a return to tourism activity and provide confidence among international and domestic tourists.
The Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Certification Program was launched during a press conference at the Athenee Hotel in Bangkok by Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism and Sports and other officials, including the director-general of the department of health.
The SHA program provides official certification for businesses that undergo rigorous inspection and meet all hygiene and quality controls. Business that have passed inspection and continue to meet the strict requirements will display the SHA logo giving guests assurance that their establishments meet all criteria.
The following businesses are eligible to apply for SHA certification:
- Restaurants / culinary outlets
- Hotels and accommodation providers
- Convention Centres
- Recreation and tourist attractions
- Tourist transport vehicle providers
- Travel agents / tour operators
- Health spas and beauty parlours
- Department stores and shopping centres
- Sports stadiums for tourism
- Theatres / cinemas
- Souvenir shops and other retailers
U.S. HOTELS ON THE REBOUND
I find this quite surprising, but I guess the U.S. is going about things a little differently than Canada. According to BNN Blooomberg, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc. Chief Executive Officer Geoff Ballotti says his midscale hotels are operating at occupancy levels of about 50%.
That comes after five consecutive weeks of increasing demand, which Ballotti said he expects to continue.
I haven’t seen figures the last few days, but last I heard Canadian hotels were generally operating at occupancy levels of less than 10%.
PORTER AIRLINES PUSHES BACK START DATE
Canada’s Porter Airlines, which flies smaller planes in eastern Canada and to several destinations in the eastern United States, is pushing back its start date by a month. Porter says it now won’t fly again until July 29.
They also say they’ve cancelled their seasonal flights to Muskoka and Stephenville, Newfoundland for 2020.
“We want to see our planes in the sky as soon as possible and are actively working to prepare for our resumption of service. However, the ongoing uncertainty presented by government travel restrictions, including border closures, is impacting our ability to operate flights,” said Michael Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “We are closely watching developments and know that Porter will be an important part of providing people with travel options as the economy recovers.”
Porter says it’s preparing to introduce enhanced health and safety measures for its return to service. Details of these initiatives will be announced closer to when flights restart, so that plans are as closely aligned with the latest public health recommendations as possible.
MORE AEROPLAN IMPROVEMENTS AND UPDATES
Air Canada is making significant changes to Aeroplan.
Aeroplan has launched its final offers as part of their Travel at Home campaign, which enables members to reach Altitude status without leaving the ground. There are some great offers when shopping via our eStore:
- Until May 31, earn bonus miles when you shop for home goods with this week’s featured brands including Dyson, Disney+, Simons, TSC, the Source and many more via the Aeroplan eStore. Visit www.aeroplan.com/estore for more details.
- The Aeroplan eStore will have a big 2-Day Mega Event May this weekend. So be sure to check that out.
Don’t forget, that until May 31, earn 5 extra miles per $1 spent for purchases via the Aeroplan eStore when using your TD Aeroplan® credit card, CIBC® Aeroplan® credit card or American Express® AeroplanPlus® Card. These bonus miles are in addition to the miles you regularly earn for using your card at checkout.
NEW THIS WEEK:
They’re matching miles to two food security charities! Members can also help communities across Canada by donating to La Tablée des Chefs and Breakfast Club of Canada. They ensure Canadians have access to the food they need during this difficult time. Aeroplan is proud to match all donations up to 500,000 miles until May 31.
- Until May 31, show your support for local restaurants and use your TD® Aeroplan® credit card. For every mile you earn for purchases made directly at restaurants, TD will match every mile and donate it to Second Harvest for a total of 5 million miles. Let’s help to ensure that everyone can access the food they need during this difficult time.
Reminder that you can also earn 2X the Aeroplan Miles on select online food and grocery delivery1 until August 15 when you use your TD® Aeroplan® credit card. Plus, through May 31, all miles earned on purchases as part of this offer will count towards our Travel at Home promotion, bringing you closer to a higher Air Canada Altitude status.
- Takeout to Takeoff contest – To celebrate local restaurants. From May 26–June 7, Air Canada is asking customers to show them how they’re plating their takeout meals at home using #ACTakeoutTtoTakeoff on Instagram and Twitter, and tag the restaurant your meal is from. Air Canada’s partners, chefs David Hawksworth and Antonio Park, will each pick a winner for a future trip and dinner at their respective restaurants. In addition, each winner will achieve or accelerate their Air Canada Altitude status. See full details here: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/special-offers/takeoutfortakeoffcontest.html
Visit: www.aeroplan.com/travelathome to learn more.
NEWFOUNDLAND NOT READY JUST YET
The walks are amazing near Long Point Lighthouse, a few minutes drive from Twillingate. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced $25 million in funding to help the province’s devastated hospitality and tourism industry. l
“This support will help make life a little easier during one of the toughest times that we’ve had to face as a province,” Premier Dwight Ball said Monday morning at a news conference to announce the funds.
With tourism spending of $1.4 billion annually, the industry has a significant impact,” on the province, said Tourism Minister Bernard Davis.
The premier said guidelines for intraprovincial travel will be released as the province moves to Alert Level 3, which would be June 8 at the earliest.
I’ve been to Newfoundland I think four times now (not Labrador just yet) and absolutely adore the place. The people are some of the nicest and funniest on earth ( like to say they make the Irish look mean and unwelcoming), and the scenery is positively breathtaking. St. John’s has marvellous food and crazy good bars with live music almost every night of the week, and the Fogo Island Inn is one of the most striking and unusual hotels on the planet. Fogo Island is considered one of the four corners of the world by members of the Flat Earth Society, and isn’t that cool? Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland has fjord-like waterway with a tremendous boat ride, and there’s also fabulous hiking. Twillingate is famous for its whale-watching and hiking, not to mention picture-perfect villages.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CAMPAIGN ON THE WAY
Cycling is a great way to enjoy the gentle island of PEI and Prince Edward Island National Park. PHOTO BY JOHN SYLVESTER/PARKS CANADA
Tourism Prince Edward Island marketing director Brenda Gallant says P.E.I. is preparing to launch an interim campaign on June 1 in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. The message for potential visitors is that when it’s safe, and when things are ready, P.E.I. is here for you, according to the PEI Journal-Pioneer.
Gallant said it is more of a reminder and, from a marketing point of view, not a strong call to action in order to be respectful of people who were unable to travel.
COME VISIT MONTENEGRO: WAIT A MINUTE, NOT YOU
The European nation of Montenegro, which I’ve never visited but looks absolutely amazing, says it’s open to visitors. But only from select countries.
The government has said it wants tourism, but not visitors from countries hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. That means folks from Slovenia, Germany and Greece, among others, are fine. But likely no Americans, Canadians, Chinese, British, Italians or Brazilians right now.
MORE WESTJET CANCELLATIONS
As the demand for travel remains significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, WestJet has suspended three seasonal flights; Calgary-Whitehorse, Calgary-Windsor and Halifax-Gander.
Service to all three seasonal destinations is planned to return in 2021. Guests affected by these seasonal suspensions, will be proactively notified of their options, officials said.
