Australia has had to close the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria due to COVID-19 fears. Meanwhile, a new carrier has announced it will fly to southern destinations from Quebec, and the hotel business appears to be picking up nicely. My Future of Travel blog for July 7.
Australia Closing Some State Borders
Sydney Harbour, Australia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Australia lovers have been looking longingly at the country’s success in fighting the COVID-19 virus, hoping that perhaps Oz would soon open its borders to so-called safe countries such as Canada.
Don’t look now, but there’s been a flare-up in the state of Victoria, and the border between Victoria (home to Melbourne) and New South Wales (Sydney) is set to close at midnight on Tuesday for the first time in a century.
Around 500 military personnel will be assisting police to patrol the 55 roads which link the two states, as Victoria recorded 191 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, surpassing its previous single-day record of 127, which was set a day earlier. Authorities say there are “provisions in place”, such as permits, to assist residents living and working in border regions.
CNN reports that Victoria “Victoria has struggled to contain a second wave of coronavirus cases, leading to fears that the infection rate could soon rise across the country. Last week it emerged that some contracted workers in Melbourne were not following protocols at a hotel used to quarantine international arrivals to the state — including reportedly having sex with people under lockdown.
Wanna Buy a Beverly Hills Hotel For Cheap?
For sale: Boutique hotel, convenient to Hollywood. 116 rooms, rooftop pool, jet-setting clientele. Previous owner spent $40 million on renovations before becoming an international fugitive. Asking price: $100+ million.
If that sounds like a steal — even in the middle of a global pandemic that has nearly ground travel to a halt — the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills could be yours. Just contact the U.S. government.
Click here for more of the story.
New Carrier for Quebec? During a Pandemic? Wow
Canadians love our winter vacations to Cuba and other Caribbean spots.
Against all odds, a new airline called OWG will soon take off in Quebec, offering flights to Southern destinations. This new initiative is the fruit of Nolinor Aviation’s continued expansion into a new market. For the past 27 years, Nolinor has offered charter transportation solutions, mainly to the Far North, with its fleet of some ten Boeing 737s. The Nolinor Aviation team has been secretly working since 2018 to create a new airline that will position them in the tourist flight market.
As OWG President Marco Prud‘homme explains, “The flight portion of your trip should be an integral part of your vacation. Traditional airlines have chosen to cut the quality of their services year after year with no regard for the passenger experience. Our goal is to win the hearts of Quebecers with a new airline whose mission is to get travellers excited again.”
Early this year, the carrier acquired a fleet of Boeing 737-400s and began to transform them so they meet the company’s high service and safety standards. In order to offer competitive rates, OWG has opted for the proven Boeing 737-400 aircraft (158 seats). The interior of each plane was refurbished with new, lighter and sturdier seats.
OWG says it will begin operations in the coming months and the destinations will be announced shortly.
Hotel Biz Picking Up Nicely
A hotel room. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I’m a little surprised at this, but I probably shouldn’t be given the number of folks we see on the beach in the U.S. these days.
A company called Cardlytics published a survey the other day that says hotel business (I believe this is for the US only, but the story at TravelPulse didn’t say) in April was down 86% compared to April of 2019. For the month of June, hotel business was down just 40% compared to a year before.
That’s a huge improvement. Looking at the numbers in reverse, that means hotels in June had occupancy levels of 60% of the figures for June 2019. Given the toll the pandemic has taken, that’s remarkable. But let’s see if it lasts.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World Adopts New Health/Safety Plan
A hotel cleaner in action.
Today, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) launches a ‘Stay Small, Stay Safe’ initiative offering enhanced health and detailed safety guidelines for all 520 member hotels in 90 countries. SLH has always been a champion of elite independent hotels with the utmost standards, and as nearly 330 member hotels have now reopened and many prepare to open in the coming weeks, the program provides peace of mind for guests as they prepare to travel the world once again.
A recent survey conducted of loyal SLH guests shows more than 90% of travellers would feel more comfortable staying in a small independent hotel. The ‘Stay Small, Stay Safe’ initiative acknowledges the desire for intimate hotel experiences with fewer crowds that travellers are seeking. With just 50 rooms on average, SLH properties are able to offer secluded, discreet options with the highest safety standards.
In order to safeguard these standards, SLH has entered a partnership with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) for its hotels to pursue GBAC STAR™ accreditation. The performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention programme helps hotels minimize risks associated with infectious agents and biohazards. GBAC STAR accreditation provides third-party validation to ensure hotels have the elevated cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices in place so guests can truly relax during their stay.
Additionally, a ‘Stay Small, Stay Safe’ module will be launched on the SLH website – www.SLH.com – helping guests and travel advisors make informed decisions and guide their journey through the site. The latest updates on border openings, quarantine restrictions, best practices and information pertaining to COVID-19 precautions at each hotel will provide accurate and up-to-date details in the ever-changing environment. The SLH Quality Assurance Policy will also update the 700-point Mystery Inspection program checklist with an additional 136 checkpoints related to health, safety and cleanliness standards performed at all 520 hotels annually. The heightened standards for hygiene will be critical for the safety and comfort of each guest and staff member as hotels reopen their doors.
Micro-Cruising in Norway With Secret Atlas
Jay Ruzesky/Unsplash Photo
UK based micro-cruise specialist, Secret Atlas operates the ideal
adventures for post COVID-19 travellers searching for a safe and intimate experience in the wilderness and far away from today’s new reality. Secret Atlas’s Polar expedition micro-cruises transports intrepid adventurers to a stress-free and vast environment, allowing them to reconnect with the self while experiencing an intimate journey in the company of a small group
of like-minded travel companions.
By definition, a micro-cruise caters to small groups, 10 to 12 passengers, the smallest group size in today’s expedition cruise industry. Traveling aboard Secret Atlas’s vessel, the M/V Togo, an elegant and sturdy 12-passenger custom-built 102ft/31m expedition motor vessel with the highest polar cruising industry standard is an experience like no other.
With the vessel’s ability to sail at close proximity to shore and the natural world, in addition to the presence of knowledgeable expedition leaders guiding each voyage, guests are given an enriching educational opportunity that deepens their appreciation for Polar destinations and the wildlife that can only be observed in these remote regions.
“We know our micro-cruising product is perfect for the times. It’s the kind of escape we all crave after being confined”, says Michele D’Agostino, Secret Atlas’s Co-Founder. “We believe in the power of ‘slow travel‘, and aim to provide our guests with the service and safety they deserve. We immerse them in the perfect environment to disconnect and reflect while discovering some of the most beautiful places on earth”, he adds.
Secret Atlas’s 2021/22 cruise season opens with a diverse collection of expedition micro-cruises ranging between 8 to 14-days. The cruise special inaugural voyage is the 11-day Bear Island and Svalbard Explorer (April 13-23 2021) followed by the 8-day Frozen Svalbard Photo Tour (April 25-May 2) with the accomplished British expedition photographer, Rick Tomlinson, and the 8-day Frozen Svalbard Cruise (May 9-16). The 9-day Natural Wonders Photo Tour (May 27-June 4), with an emphasis on Arctic wildlife, will be under the guidance of Canadian photographer Chase Teron.
Reward Yourself With New Aeroplan Bonus Features
Starting today (July 7) until July 12 at 11:59 pm ET, Aeroplan members will be able to buy Aeroplan Miles and earn a Mystery Bonus of up to 75% of the Aeroplan Miles purchased, plus for the first time ever, members receive Altitude Qualifying Dollars (AQD) equivalent to the amount you spend, up to a maximum of $5,000 AQD. In addition, if you decide to gift miles to another Aeroplan Member, the recipient will receive the Mystery Bonus of up to 75% more miles and you as the donor will receive the AQD.
Just a reminder that all Buy Miles transactions made with US based cards with a US billing address are not subject to sales tax.
You can find more information here.
Note, for this promotion, you can buy up to 1 million Aeroplan Miles (double the usual annual limit).
