Europe and the world are poised for a travel rebound, plus tourism optimism in the Canadian Maritimes and news about rules for visiting Hawai’i and Belize. Today’s Jim Byers Travel news update.
EUROPE POISED FOR TRAVEL REBOUND THIS YEAR
The European Travel Commission (ETC) predicts tourist arrivals to be just 20% below pre-pandemic levels in 2022, according to Hotel News Resource.
The International Air Transport Association says that, worldwide, there was an 11-percentage point improvement between the January and February periods for air travel, which it said was the fastest such increase for any two-week period since the pandemic began.
E Turbo News reports that an IATA survey of travel restrictions for the world’s top 50 air travel markets (comprising 92% of global demand in 2019 as measured by revenue passenger kilometers) revealed the growing access available to vaccinated travelers.
18 markets (comprising about 20% of 2019 demand) are open to vaccinated travelers without quarantine or pre-departure testing requirements.
28 markets are open to vaccinated travelers without quarantine requirements (including the 18 markets noted above). This comprises about 50% of 2019 demand.
37 markets (comprising about 60% of 2019 demand) are open to vaccinated travelers under varying conditions (18 having no restrictions, others requiring testing or quarantine or both).
These numbers reflect a spate of relaxations announced around the world, including in Australia, France, the Philippines, the UK, Switzerland, and Sweden among them.
CANADIAN MARITIMES ANTICIPATE BETTER TOURISM TIMES
Lost in the shuffle of this week’s announcement about new travel rules for Canada was that, as of February 28, the federal government will start allowing international flights into all Canadian airports that have traditionally received them.
“I think it’s a very good announcement,” said Bernard LeBlanc, president and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport, told Global News.
The Moncton airport has had only about 20 per cent of normal activity over the past two years and is eager to be able to start reoffering international service, however, the announcement likely comes too late to salvage the usually busy March break season, with airlines already having cancelled those routes, the network said.
HAWAI’I TRAVEL RULES NOT CHANGING
Surfboards in Paia, Maui. PHOTO COURTESY HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY
Governor David Ige announced that Hawai‘i’s Safe Travels program will continue unchanged at this time and that domestic travellers will not be required to include proof of COVID-19 booster shots. Individuals who received their primary COVID-19 vaccination series 14 days prior to arrival, or those who provide an acceptable negative pre-travel test, will continue to be exempt from the mandatory five-day quarantine.
“Today’s decision by Governor Ige strikes a good balance between protecting public health and safety, and continuing the recovery of our economy which supports so many of our kamaaina families. While booster shots are not required to travel, we encourage visitors to stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines, wear their masks, and travel responsibly throughout our islands,” said John De Fries, HTA president and CEO. “Many of Hawai‘i’s businesses and visitor industry partners continue to work diligently to get their employees vaccinated and boosted to ensure that we can continue to keep Hawai‘i safe and to be effective hosts to our visitors. We appreciate everyone taking personal responsibility to mālama (care for) ourselves and one another.”
NEW SAFE TRAVEL RULES FOR BELIZE
In an effort to further protect the health and wellbeing of international visitors and Belizeans from COVID-19, Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the official tourism organization for Belize, has released new safe travel standards for any persons entering the country. Effective Feb. 15, 2022, all visitors are required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance – a mandatory insurance that helps protect travellers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Belize.
The cost of the policy is $18 USD and provides coverage for up to $50,000 USD in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days. This insurance plan will come online under the country’s public health regulations and provide cover for lodging expenses due to quarantine up to $2,000 USD (max $300/day USD). Travellers will also be covered for emergency assistance services such as air evacuation and emergency expenses related to pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, it covers trip cancellations and expenses incurred by COVID-19 positive travelers for extended stays.
Some important entry highlights are listed below:
It is recommended that travellers purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance prior to their travel to Belize; however, purchases can be made upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at Belize’s land borders
Visitors must purchase Belize Travel Health Insurance and are required to complete the Customs and Immigration form that is provided on all flights to Belize.
Exempted from this mandatory insurance are Belizean nationals, permanent residents and travellers with QRP or Long Stay status and flight crews.
All international tourists must book accommodations at a Gold Standard property and present confirmation at immigration.
All travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, entering Belize through the Philip Goldson International Airport from other countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.
If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of USD $50 per passenger. Children under the age of 5 years will not be required to present a negative test.
In the past year, Belize has implemented several traveller protocols to keep visitors feeling safe, including the Tourism Gold Standard Program and Travel Belize app, which enables travellers to seamlessly plan their vacation with certified hotels and tour operators (an entry requirement). The new Travel Health Insurance mandate underscores Belize’s commitment to health and safety, enhancing travel confidence and giving visitors peace of mind to schedule that well-deserved vacation for 2022 and beyond.
DISNEY WISH CRUISE SHIP SETS SAIL THIS SUMMER
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