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. Read more
Disney
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
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
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
Great news for Disney fans, as Disney says it wants to begin a phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks on July 11. Meanwhile, Chicago unveils a new tourism and hospitality program as it moves into the post-coronavirus stage. ANd the U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawai’i are both looking at re-opening for tourism in the next month or so. Meanwhile, a survey finds Canadians are intrigued by the idea of using an RV and Silversea is offering great cruise deals. All in my Future of Travel blog for today. WALT DISNEY WORLD LOOKING AT JULY 11 FOR RE-OPENING The Read more
