10 July 2020

Disney World Opens Tomorrow + A Virtual Travel Show You Don’t Want to Miss

A phased re-opening of Walt Disney World begins in Orlando, Florida tomorrow. I also have a report on Canada’s first-ever nationwide, virtual travel exhibition, which will be held in September, a potential offer to work in Barbados for a year, and a report on the devastating tourism picture in Europe. My Future of Travel blog for July 10.

The Magic Kingdom Opens Its Doors

The Magic Kingdom. Photo Courtesy Walt Disney World.

Disney tomorrow will welcome guests back to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Parks, followed by Hollywood Studios and EPCOT next Wednesday, July 15.

Critics have pointed out this is taking place during a serious spike in COVID-19 cases in Florida, but Disney is implementing a series of measures that it says will allow them to open safely.

Capacity will be “vastly,” reduced, social-distancing measures will be in place, and all guests and workers will be required to wear masks. Disney also has instituted what it calls a “vigorous” cleaning regimen.

Only guests with pre-booked reservations will be allowed to enter the parks for now. All Disney parks in Florida have been closed since mid-March.

Disneyland had hoped to re-open last month in California but officials changed their mind when there was a spike in coronavirus cases in the state.

Travel & Leisure Show in September – Fabulous and Free

We’re exactly two months away from an incredible opportunity for both consumers and sellers of travel.The Travel And Leisure show takes place virtually on Sept. 10 (for the travel trade) and Sept. 12 (for consumers and every day folks like you and me). It’s Canada’s first-ever nationwide, virtual travel exhibition.

There’s no charge to virtually drop in and visit booths representing some of the most delicious destinations in the world, including great places close to home and some romantic, exotic locales a little further away.

Twenty thousand or more consumers are expected to attend, and the Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, is the presenting sponsor.

Visitors to the show can chat directly with representatives of amazing destinations and travel companies, all from the comfort of your own home via your tablet, phone or desktop. You can download brochures into a virtual briefcase so you can read them at your convenience and dream about your next trip. There also will be a webinar with a well-known travel expert (probably not me, but thanks) and GREAT PRIZES!

Similar to a traditional travel show, exhibitors will be grouped into pavilions and regions such as Canada, USA, South America, Cruise, Adventure, Europe, French-language, or Caribbean/Mexico. Multiple travel service providers will be participating in the on-line event, which will feature special offers and incentives for consumers to take advantage of.

Sean Humphrey, Vice President, Marketing for the Globe and Mail, said, “We are excited to be partnering with Granite Productions as they provide this event to help consumers and the industry adjust to the new world of travel.”

The Travel and Leisure Show virtual event will allow agents from coast to coast to engage and gather information from top suppliers in the industry.

“The COVID crisis has impacted all of us in a way not imaginable six months ago,” said Michael Price of Granite Productions, the company managing the event. “All indicators are that travel is on the verge of rebounding. This show provides the consumer an easy and efficient manner to shop for deals and special offers for future travel plans for free. No traffic, no line-ups, no parking fees.”

Those wishing to attend the event on Sept 12th, 2020 are encouraged to pre-register for their free tickets by visiting www.travelandleisureshow.ca. Sponsorship and exhibitor information can be found on-line.

Work Remotely From Barbados For a Year? Why Not?

I could get used to Barbados as my home office for a year. How about you? JIM BYERS PHOTO

Found this today on CNBC, and what a great idea!

Working from home could be about to get a major upgrade, as Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has said her government is considering letting visitors stay and work remotely from the island for a year.

Mottley said lawmakers were looking at introducing the 12-month “Barbados Welcome Stamp,” noting that restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic had made short-term travel more difficult because of the testing now required.

“You don’t need to work in Europe, or the U.S. or Latin America if you can come here and work for a couple months at a time; go back and come back,” she said in a speech last week, according to the Barbados Government Information Service website. She added that it would allow “persons to come and work from here overseas, digitally so, so that persons don’t need to remain in the countries in which they are.”

European Tourism Devastated By COVID-19

London and St. Paul’s. JIM BYERS PHOTO

The European Travel Commission has issued a devastating report that shows just how bad the tourism situation is in Europe.

“The impact of the global health crisis is becoming clear with European tourism growth expected to remain below 2019 levels until 2023, ” the report states. “During the first four months of the year, Europe saw a dramatic 44% decline in international tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2019, a decrease in line with global performance. Tourism jobs losses in Europe in 2020 could be monumental, ranging between 14.2 million to 29.5 million. Uncertainty still dominates and the duration of pandemic restrictions will be key to determine the losses in the sector.

Ahead of the summer season, tourism businesses are resuming activities and destinations across Europe are gradually re-opening their borders, establishing travel bubbles/blocks and boosting domestic and intra-European travel. The pace of recovery by destination will vary and will depend on the extent to which they rely on international source markets and the revival of consumer confidence.

Here’s the most devastasting comment: “Tourism as we knew it has ceased to exist.”

Wow.

Tagged as: Barbados, Disney, Florida, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, re-opening, Walt Disney World

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