This story of mine originally appeared in May on AARP.com. Airlines are removing middle seats and requiring passengers to wear masks. Hotels are working with the likes of the Mayo Clinic to boost their health practices. It’s anybody’s guess when our favorite restaurants will reopen their dining rooms. But in this age of COVID-19 one segment of the travel industry might be poised for a strong rebound: the RV vacation. Travel by RV is the one escape in which you can avoid airplanes, bypass interactions with people at hotels and, if you purchase or rent a vehicle with a kitchen, Read more
No alcohol on flights. Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. A re-opening today for Cabot Cliffs and Cabot LInks golf courses in Nova Scotia. Plus a Cuba re-opening for July 1. My Future of Travel blog for Friday, June 19. Airlines Bounce Booze Offerings I can live with masks on a plane. And gloves. And not getting a hot meal. But banning booze on an airplane is simply an outrage. Okay, that’s not the case. Not at all. But it is another sign that travel has changed for the foreseeable future. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has the following report: “Some U.S. airlines Read more
CHATHAM-KENT, ONTARIO – A beach town with charm to spare. A vital link to Ontario’s black history. And a positively wondrous hotel in a town that will definitely surprise you. I had stopped in the town of Erieau a couple years ago on a trip along the Lake Erie shoreline (sometimes called Canada’s forgotten coast). It was only a brief drive-by, but I was charmed by the low-key yet vibrant nature of the town and beguiled by the beach and the cute waterfront homes. This time, with the help of the folks at Ontario’s Southwest I managed to squeeze in Read more
Canadians are somewhat more skittish about travel than our American friends. Also, AirBnB has brought in new health and safety protocols, and a new study shows younger folks are more willing to travel than older ones. I also look at how New York City will enter phase 2 on Monday, and I have cruise news from Paul Gauguin and UnCruise. All in my Future of Travel blog for June 18. CANADIANS AND TRAVEL: MORE CAUTIOUS THAN AMERICANS As Canada settles into slowly reopening its economy, are people ready to jump back into everyday life? A new study by Accenture shows Read more
COVID-19 “passports” to help revive the airline and tourism industries. Plus a look at what the future holds for cruising, a new rewards plan from CIBC that will help local restaurants, and great advice from the Canadian Automobile Association on summer road trips. That and more in today’s Future of Travel post. CORONAVIRUS PASSPORTS? COOL IDEA A company called Pangea has introduced an end-to-end platform for issuing a Covid-19 immunity ‘passport’ based on a biometric ID. The smart card holder will be granted free access to public areas including airport terminals and planes, as part of the effort to revive Read more
Canada and the US are keeping the border closed until July 21. But the good news is two great Niagara experiences open soon; the Hornblower Cruise to the Falls and the Whirlpool Jet rides. I also look at Canada’s rating for adventure travel, the quarantine situation in Hawaii, re-openings in Europe, and LGBTQ travel news in my Future of Travel blog for June 16, 2020. Niagara Falls Re-Opening Starts This Week One of the world’s great destinations – and one that’s easy for many Canadians to reach without leaving their home province – is re-opening its amazing attractions. Read more
“Temperature checks. Bigger lines. Fewer meals. No alcohol. And ultimately, higher prices.” That’s the way Canadian Press began its latest story on the future of the airline industry. I’ve got a report on that, but also on how WestJet has announced its new summer schedule, with the emphasis on Canada but also five flights to the U.S. and one to Mexico. All in my Future of Travel blog for Monday, June 15. The future of air travel: It ain’t pretty Unless you’re one of those people who regularly fly in the front of the plane, you’ll know that flying hasn’t Read more
