A survey of global travel stakeholders by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) finds that eight in ten respondents are concerned or very concerned about the revenue impact the Omicron variant will have on companies in the business travel sector, while just over one-third say their bookings have decreased. Earlier this month, the GBTA, the world’s largest business travel association, surveyed its membership of global travel buyers, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders to gauge current sentiment around the COVID-19 omicron variant and any early effects on the business travel industry. Here are some of the highlights from the recent GBTA Read more
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WestJet says the travel warning issued by the Canadian government on Wednesday is not based on science and could create holiday season chaos. “The WestJet Group today is expressing its strong opposition to the travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada,” the Calgary-based company said in a statement. “The targeted advice outlined today is not based on science and data and significantly undermines aviation’s proven safety record in response to COVID-19. “These measures are a setback in Canada’s progress and its successful transition from relying on blanket advisories and policies.” The Justin Trudeau government on Wednesday announced a four-week advisory Read more
The Justin Trudeau government has announced a four-week advisory for Canadians to avoid non-essential travel. The government today also suggested new testing rules could be coming. Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the federal government’s advisory will be posted in the next few hours. He also said Ottawa will continue to expand capacity “to test as many people as possible as quickly as possible,” and that the government “will more have to say on that in the very near future.” “There will certainly be other measures,” he said. “All actions are on the table.” “We must stand together,” the minister Read more
The pandemic has been anything but kind to Canada’s hotel industry. But a senior official at Canada’s Germain Hotels says they’re going to be okay. “One thing for sure is we’re out of the woods,” Marie Pier Germain, vice president sales and marketing for Germain Hotels, told me in a recent Zoom chat. “The company is going to be okay.” Germain said the company has kept communication lines open with its investors during the pandemic But it’s not been easy. And it hasn’t been a straight line. “Everything we’re used to relying on to forecast budget is gone,” she said. Read more
Multiple reports tonight say Canada may be ready to institute tough, new travel rules that once again restrict discretionary travel outside the country. CTV, the CBC and the Globe and Mail all state that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was speaking with provincial premiers Tuesday evening. All three quoted sources as suggesting that changes were afoot, perhaps taking Canada back many months to the days of tough travel rules. Sources told the Globe that the new rules could be announced as early as tomorrow. One source told the paper that the Canadian government “plans to ban the entry of foreign Read more
