Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines have come up with a new health and safety initiative to help the industry respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic. MSC Cruises also has launched a new blue-ribbon expert group. I also have a story pointing to tourism trouble for the Caribbean and a note about tough times in Alberta tourism. My Future of Travel blog for July 6.
Canadian Wineries Offer Special Weddings August 1
Here’s a great concept.
With the traditional big wedding stepping aside due to COVID-19, many Canadian couples who planned to wed this summer have made the difficult choice of pivoting with an intimate backyard nuptial, a last-minute elopement or to postpone outright. Those who want to show that love can indeed conquer all are turning to pop-up wedding chapels and “minimonies”, celebrating their day in style with a few local loved ones at a safe distance, while other guests join virtually.
To help couples realize the wedding of their dreams, select wineries like Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery, Inniskillin Niagara Estate Winery and Sandbanks Winery in Ontario and See Ya Later Ranch, Sumac Ridge and Nk’Mip Cellars in British Columbia have developed special, all-inclusive wedding packages for one day only – Saturday, August 1.
“While traditional wedding plans may have been stifled, we’re here to help couples achieve their dreams in a safe, uncomplicated way that is still breathtaking and unforgettable,” says Andrea Hunt, EVP marketing at Arterra Wines Canada. “These simple yet elegant options at the estates offer a wonderful and memorable backdrop for nuptials, helping brides and grooms tie the knot despite these exceptional times.”
The all-inclusive wedding packages are intentionally different than a typical wedding, featuring a two-hour window for up to 20 guests. All packages include an officiant, a photographer, wedding confections, charcuterie platter, set up and, of course, VQA wine. Pricing is simplified at $1,999 per couple. Spaces are limited.
Visit GreatEstatesNiagara.com or GreatEstatesOkanagan.com for more information or contact the wineries directly to reserve.
Banff and Lake Louise Open For Business
Cruise Companies Launch Health Protocols
A Norwegian Cruise Line ship.
The cruise industry has, of course, been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The growing number of cases in Florida, Texas and California, all popular spots for cruise ship departures, is definitely not helping.
But the industry is making some positive moves that could restore consumer confidence. Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. today announced a collaboration to develop enhanced cruise health and safety standards in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The companies have asked former Utah governor Mike Leavitt and Dr. Scott Gottlieb to serve as co-chairs of a newly formed group of experts called the “Healthy Sail Panel.” The panel is tasked with collaboratively developing recommendations for cruise lines to advance their public health response to COVID-19, improve safety, and achieve readiness for the safe resumption of operations.
The expert panel has been working for nearly a month and will offer its initial recommendations by the end of August. The cruise lines said its work will be “open source,” and could be freely adopted by any company or industry that would benefit from the group’s scientific and medical insights.
“This unprecedented disease requires us to develop unprecedented standards in health and safety,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Bringing aboard these respected experts to guide us forward demonstrates our commitment to protecting our guests, our crews and the communities we visit.”
“We compete for the vacationing consumer’s business every day, but we never compete on health and safety standards,” said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “While the cruise industry has always had rigorous health standards, the unique challenges posed by COVID-19 provide an opportunity to raise the bar even higher.”
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Toronto Holiday Inn Getaway Winner
The Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown. You could win a free weekend stay!
Congrats to Lauren C. of Missisauga. who’s a mother and a teacher, for winning the free weekend hotel stay I was giving away for the Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown on Lombard Street. Lauren and a guest will enjoy two nights at the hotel, along with free parking, breakfast and free Wi-Fi. It’s a great property in the heart of the city. They re-opened for business last Friday (July 3).
“Wow, I’m thrilled! I’m so excited to be able to de-stress for a weekend! So excited to be able to stay in the heart of city and be able to explore all that the city has to offer.”
“I’ve got 3 boys all under age 7 and it’s been a tough last few months at home with them! It’s been a trying time emotionally, physically and financially, so this is something I’m so very grateful for. Being Mommy AND Teacher is a tough gig! Thanks again for this wonderful prize, thank you to Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown.”
Caribbean Tourism Study: More Help is Needed
Saltwhistle Bay is a classic Caribbean beach on the island of Mayreau, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
Additional sources of funding must be established to help Caribbean tourism withstand future crises.
That’s among recommendations in a new report on a study on the effects of COVID-19 on national destination management and marketing organisations in member countries of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and their early responses to the global pandemic, conducted by the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies (GW IITS) and the CTO.
The survey found that COVID-19 affected the financial health of the tourism organisations, with nearly of all of those polled either had, or expected, cuts to their operating budgets.
“This is an ominous signal,” the report said.
It called for advocacy on behalf of the destination organisations for financial support in order to remain strong and help to lead tourism’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.
It also said these entities would have to find creative ways to do more with less, especially with regards to marketing.
“Moving forward, destination organisations will need to consider how to diversify their funding sources, which are mainly based on lodging and cruise taxes, to ensure that they can withstand future COVID-19 waves and future shocks to the tourism industry,” GW IITS recommended.
At the same time it said the tourism bodies needed to remain vigilant and advocate for continued support to tourism businesses if these businesses are to survive.
“Without sustained financial assistance, tourism businesses that are operating at less than full capacity will be challenged to remain in business through 2020,” the report said.
Tough Times in Alberta, Too
The Icefields Parkway in Alberta. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I spotted this news item this morning from Global News. As if the world oil situation wasn’t bad enough, Alberta has been smacked upside the head by a huge drop in tourism; another important part of the province’s economy.
“Devastating probably isn’t strong enough of a word,” James Jackson, president and CEO of Tourism Jasper, told the network. “(It is) significantly worse than 9/11, SARS and the financial crisis combined.”
Jackson noted that 63% of tourism businesses’ revenues come in the summer months.
“An international tourist here in this province will spend six times more than an Albertan will spend,” said Alida Visbach, board chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA).
A new report by the TIAA is now calling on the province to help accelerate the recovery of the visitor economy. It puts forward 40 recommendations across eight categories.
