An interesting weekend for Florida and Disney fans. And also an interesting morning for Canadian airlines, with WestJet expanding while Sunwing offers more suspensions. Iberostar, meanwhile, will reopen 45 hotels around the world. My Future of Travel blog for Monday, July 13. Disney Opens Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom in Orlando Disney seemed to managed pretty well with its reopening of the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on Sunday. USA Today reports that Walt Disney World reopened to the public Saturday morning nearly four months after closing due to the widening coronavirus pandemic. But what Disney-lovers returned to wasn’t what they left in Read more
Canada
We Canadians can be docile at times. But we don’t like getting pushed around by Uncle Sam, or any other country. Which is why it’s a very bad idea for a group of U.S. Congress members to be sending “please open your border” notes to the Canadian government. Global News has this report: A bipartisan group of 29 federal lawmakers led by New York representatives Brian Higgins and Elise Stefanik sent a letter to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf late last week, urging both countries to “immediately craft a comprehensive framework for phased reopening Read more
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 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 Read more
The Trudeau government says Canadians shouldn’t expect open borders anytime soon. Also, Air Canada is teaming up with the Cleveland Clinic, a look at the best hotels in Canada as voted by Travel + Leisure, and new social distancing rules for cruise ships. My Future of Travel blog for July 9. Canada’s Borders Staying Shut For Now BNN Bloomberg has this report on the Canadian border situation: Finance Minister Bill Morneau says he doesn’t expect Canada to lift travel restrictions with the U.S. set in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19, and opening the border would create “additional risk” Read more
New York City has unveiled a new campaign and recovery plan. I also have news on a Newfoundland hotel that’s been named best in Canada and number three in the world. I also have interesting polls on the thinking of Canadian and American consumers, and a report on Anguilla. My Future of Travel blog for July 8. NYC Recovery Plan The Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery, an initiative of NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, today unveiled its roadmap for tourism reimagining and recovery, Read more
