The U.S. on Wednesday announced new COVID-19 testing requirements for all travelers from China. But Canada has yet to follow suit. Starting January 5, all travelers to the U.S. from China, Macau and Hong Kong will need to take a COVID-19 test no more than two days before travel and provide a negative test before boarding their flight. The testing applies to anyone two years and older, the CBC reports. Other countries made the move before the U.S., but Canada has yet to take similar action. A spokesperson for Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, said Canada is monitoring COVID-19 case numbers Read more
Asia
Travel to Hong Kong just got a lot easier. The Hong Kong SAR Government today announced the lifting of all mandatory PCR test requirements for inbound travelers upon arrival in Hong Kong. They’re also getting rid of the Vaccine Pass, which allowed access to only specified premises and other measures starting from tomorrow, December 29. “The new measures mark a key milestone for tourism revival and the full reopening of the tourism doors of Hong Kong,” said Dr. Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. “Visitors can now fully enjoy Hong Kong’s diverse offerings once they arrive in Read more
One of the world’s top destinations has loosened its travel restrictions. The South China Morning Post said that, starting today (Dec. 14), Hong Kong will scrap an amber health code that currently bans travellers who test negative from entering certain places of business, such as restaurants, within three days of arriving in the city. BNN Bloomberg said some curbs still remain, including the need for PCR tests for visitors arriving in Hong Kong. “The new arrangements marks the opening of the tourism doors of Hong Kong,” Dr. Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said in a statement. Read more
Ireland tourism is on the rise. Ditto for Puerto Rico. But the most interesting news of the day comes from China. If you’re like me (I’m not saying that’s a good thing), your biggest pet peeve on an airline is when someone sitting in front of you reclines their seat. I don’t mind if it’s a night flight; that’s to be expected. And I would do the same thing. But unless you’ve just flown in from Australia, I don’t see the need to recline your seat on a day flight and cram the space of the person sitting behind you. Read more
Your travel dollars likely won’t go as far next year. Air Monitor 2023, published today by American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), forecasts widespread air fare price rises in North America and around the world, due to a range of factors including inflation, rising fuel costs, and capacity issues. The report is an annual forecast of air fare movements on key business travel routes. North American domestic fares are expected to see moderate rises (3.4% business, 2.9% economy) as more capacity comes online in 2023. Europe-North America routes are expected to see modest rises of 3.7%, while intra-European flights Read more
