Orlando has opened many of its theme parks and attractions, including restaurants. Here’s a look at how it’s working. I also have news on new health and safety plans from WestJet, and also from The World Travel and Tourism Council I also have news about DIsney Cruise cancellations and more. HOW ORLANDO HAS RE-OPENED Orlando is America’s favorite destination – as shown by Expedia data to be the most-searched destination for a vacation from July through December – and is now welcoming visitors with new expanded safety measures. Many attractions, hotels and restaurants are now open, with more added daily, and all major theme parks have now scheduled reopening dates in the coming weeks. The reopened businesses include enhanced safety procedures that ensure existing guidelines from CDC and health officials are followed, as well as many additional measures and formal programs from the industry’s most trusted brands. “Our Read more
Fabulous news for folks who love Tahiti and French Polynesia. Plus Switzerland will open its borders to European Union countries and the United Kingdom a week from today. I also have news on a re-opening for the wonderful JW Marriott Rosseau resort in Muskoka. Also, Riu Hotels is re-opening hotels in Mexico today and later this month. Here’s my Future of Travel blog for Monday, June 8. TAHITI AND FRENCH POLYNESIA TO RE-OPEN FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS JULY 15 French Polynesia has had no active cases of COVID-19 since May 29th. The country’s authorities announced today the borders will be re-opening Read more
WestJet is now providing refunds to customers for some international flights and U.S. flights that were cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, some suggest the coronavirus might have helped Venice curb its overtourism problem. My Future of Travel blog, weekend edition. WestJet Improves Refund Offer WestJet now says that guests on some international flights can apply for refunds for eligible tickets cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Press says the policy is valid for flights to and from Canada and the UK, as well as flights to and from Canada and the U.S. But refunds are NOT available Read more
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada has launched a new plan to save Canadian tourism as we recover from COVID-19. There also are reports of a serious problem for Prince Edward Island visitation. My Future of Travel blog also looks at re-openings for Universal Orlando, Bologna and the Czech Republic. New Plan to Save Canadian Tourism After COVID-19 I love seeing this, and I hope to heck it makes a difference to the Canadian tourism industry, which I’ve argued for years has been under-appreciated and under-served by a series of federal (and provincial) governments. Here’s a statement I Read more
A limited number of Las Vegas casinos opened their doors again just after midnight today. I also have news on how cottage country opening for rentals, and on how both Antigua/Barbuda and Saint Lucia opened for tourism today. In addition, I’ve got a report on great things to do in Toronto. ROLLING THE DICE: SOME VEGAS CASINOS RE-OPEN A limited number of Las Vegas casinos opened just after midnight today as Nevada state restrictions eased. There are social/phsyical distancing in rules and plastic barriers to get used to, but a gambler who missed the action in Vegas (or Reno) will Read more
What are the world’s best cities and best destinations? What are the top places to see in the United States and Canada? A company called Neomam and another called SavingSpot analyzed Instagram accounts worldwide that used the phrase and hashtag #TakeMeBack. They then tallied up the number of posts for each of those places and came up with a list of the places people would love to go back to the most. Below I have lists of top world destinations, top Canadian places, top spots in the U.S. and top countries. There are a few surprises in here, so have Read more
The Bahamas says it will officially open for visitors July 1. Meanwhile, Italy on Monday opened its doors for tourism. I also have updates on re-openings for Hawaii and Portugal, as well as news about renting an RV in Canada for a great road trip and a US poll that suggests folks are getting ready to travel more. All in today’s Future of Travel blog. BAHAMAS MAKES IT OFFICIAL: RE-OPENING IS JULY 1 The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, along with the Tourism Readiness and Recovery Committee, a group comprised of public and private sector partners, announced today a Read more
