Fairmont Hotels Western Canada Re-Open Today, and Greece, Too. My Future of Travel Blog

Great news out of Western Canada, Europe and the Caribbean today. The iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Chateau Whistler all re-open today after being closed since April 10 due to COVID-19. Greece re-opened its borders today, as well. And Jamaica will do so June 15.

FAIRMONT RESORTS RE-OPEN OUT WEST

One hundred and thirty two years ago today, the iconic Banff Springs Hotel opened its doors to guests for the very first time. So it is fitting that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Canada’s Western Mountain Region – Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and Fairmont Chateau Whistler – today reopen their doors to guests and visitors after temporarily closing on April 10. 

I’ve been lucky to stay in all four properties, which really set the standard for the region and are fantastic places to bed down for a night or three.

“For many years, these hotels have been the setting for adventure, celebrations, romance, and many more unforgettable memories,” stated David Roberts, Fairmont Banff Springs General Manager and Regional Vice-President for Canada’s Western Mountain Region. “We are the caretakers, these are your hotels. Welcome home.”

“The hotels’ top priority remains the safety, care and wellbeing of our Fairmont family. Welcoming, safeguarding and taking care of others is at the very heart of what we do and who we are,” continued Roberts. “Today, this means keeping our guests and employees safe by preventing the spread of COVID-19 – partnering with top experts to implement new standards of safety and enhanced operational protocols and procedures which are among the most stringent in the hospitality industry.” Detailed information on the new operational standards being implemented at Fairmont properties across North & Central America can be found online at AllStayWell.com.
 
Reservations at Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and Fairmont Chateau Whistler can be made online or by calling 1-800-441-1414.

GREECE OPEN FOR BUSINESS TODAY

Greece tourism officials issued the following release today.

“Greece is ready once again to welcome the world. Here is how:

Phase 1 – Until 15 June
International flights are allowed only into Athens airport.
All visitors are tested upon arrival and are required to stay overnight at a designated hotel. If the test is negative, then the passenger self-quarantines for 7 days. If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.

Phase 2 – Bridge phase- 15 June to 30 June
International flights are allowed into Athens and Thessaloniki airports.
If your travel originated from an airport not in the EASA affected area list (https://www.easa.europa.eu/SD-2020-01/Airports#group-easa-downloads), then you are only subject to random tests upon arrival.
If you originate from an airport on the EASA affected area list, then you will be tested upon arrival. An overnight stay at a designated hotel is required. If the test is negative then the passenger self-quarantines for 7 days. If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.

Phase 3 – 1 July onwards
International flights are allowed into all airports in Greece.
Visitors are subject to random tests upon arrival.
Additional restrictions regarding certain countries will be announced at a later date.

FRANCE TO SLOWLY RE-OPEN STARTING TOMORROW

French tourism officials say they’ll begin re-opening the country to visitors on Tuesday, June 2.

In his address on Thursday 28 May, the French Prime Minister announced that the next end-of lockdown phase would begin on Tuesday 2 June. This is the result of a significant improvement in the health situation in France.

The Prime Minister also announced that the Government was in favour of reopening the internal borders of the European Union – including the Schengen area and the United Kingdom – as of 15 June, if the health situation permits, without the obligation of a fortnight’s quarantine for travellers coming from European countries. France will apply the principle of reciprocity for those Member states that keep their borders closed for travellers coming from French territories or impose quarantine on them. The borders outside the European Union will remain closed at least until that date. A decision will then be taken at European level Mid June.

During this address, a map of the health situation in all of France’s metropolitan regions and overseas territories was presented. The orange areas (Ile-de-France, Mayotte and French Guiana) on this map have more restrictive end-of-lockdown measures than the green ones. 

The French Government has clarified what is now allowed or not allowed depending on the end-of-lockdown phase and the current health situation. You will find this information here : https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus-covid-19

Effective 2 June, bars and restaurants will be able to reopen (open terraces only in “orange” areas), as well as museums, theatres, parks, beaches or cultural attractions. Gatherings of more than 5,000 people will remain prohibited until at least September.

Campsites, holiday villages and other collective accommodation will also be able to reopen; on 2 June in the ‘green’ zones with special rules for welcoming guests, and on 22 June for the ‘orange’ zones. For hotels, new health regulations will also come into force providing reassuring conditions for guests during their stay.

As of 2 June, the ban on travelling to a destination distant of more than 100 km from one’s place of residence will be lifted. It will then once again be possible to travel throughout the country, including overseas, without a certificate. Travel between metropolitan France and the French overseas territories will continue to be subject to a form of fortnightly travel. Air travel will be opened more widely for the summer period.

JAMAICA RE-OPENS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS JUNE 15

More great news out of the Caribbean this morning, as the country’s tourism minister says the island nation will re-open for international visitors on June 15.

I’m trying to get details but it appears all visitors will undergo health screening upon arrival. It’s not clear if COVID-19 tests or quarantines will be required.

I’ve had several trips to Jamaica over the years, exploring Montego Bay, Negril, the south coast, Ocho Rios and the eastern end of the island near Port Antonio. The Jamaica Inn is a fabulous, low-key resort on a great beach outside Ocho Rios, while Sandals Royal Caribbean has amazing overwater bungalows. I also love Jake’s at Treasure Beach, a super casual place on the south coast that most tourists never get to see, and Half Moon Resort near MoBay.

Here’s a blog I posted about Jamaica a few years back.

 

MORE ON SUNDAY’S CANADIAN TOURISM SPENDING ANNOUNCEMENT

As I mentioned in my report yesterday, the federal government is providing $71 million to better market Canadian travel to Canadians for this coming summer. Thirty million of that will go to Destination Canada, which usually markets Canada to overseas visitors, and another $30 million will go to destination marketing organizations in southern Ontario. Roughly $7.6 million will be spent to help Northern Ontario, and $3.45 million for Western Canada.

 A spokesman for the ministry of economic development and official languages told me it’s “the first word, not the last word.”

And minister Melanie Joly told Canadian Press that talks around supporting the tourism industries in Quebec and Atlantic Canada are under way.

While describing Sunday’s announcement as a “step in the right direction,” Charlotte Bell, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, called for more talks between government and industry around long-term action.

“The survival of this industry, which pre-COVID contributed more than $100-billion to the Canadian economy and supported 1.8 million jobs, depends on a co-ordinated plan for recovery and reopening that includes input from the tourism industry,” she told the Globe and Mail.

NDP tourism critic Gord Johns, meanwhile, criticized the fund announcement as inadequate.

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