Industry News
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MEXICAN LUXURY DESTINATION FORECASTS BRIGHT 2021
Slated as one of Mexico’s top luxury travel destinations, Los Cabos brought 2020 to a close with nearly 80% recovery of all travel activity. Since its reopening on June 15, 2020 after closure in March due to the Covid crisis, Los Cabos has seen a strong recovery in international arrivals and projected to close the year with 1.4 …
MIDDLE EAST OPENS BACK UP TO QATAR
The resumption of diplomatic relations between Qatar and its neighbours int he Gulf area will benefit regionally tourism and air transport.
BREXIT CHANGES LITTLE FOR TRAVEL TO & FROM UK
While Covid-19 brought tourist movements to and from the UK almost to a complete stop, the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union on December 31, 2020 is unlikely to change life of travellers – once the situation gets back to normal. Tourism flows between the UK and the European Union will definitely …
TECHNOLOGY BOOSTS TRAVELLER CONFIDENCE AND DEMAND
A survey of more than 80% of travellers surveyed in across France, Germany, India, Singapore, UK and US indicates that technology would increase their confidence to travel in 2021. This comes through the addressing of concerns around mixing with crowds, social distancing and physical touch-points. Indeed, as 2021 begins, leaders in governments and key industries …
NEW ZEALAND / AUSTRALIA TRAVEL BUBBLE JUST AROUND THE CORNER?
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to name a date shortly for the launch of a two-way travel bubble with Australia. The opening up of the travel bubble will complete the other side of a one-way bubble which was agreed to by both countries in October. Since October 16, New Zealanders have been …
JW MARRIOTT DEBUTS IN PACIFIC REGION
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa has opened in Australia, marking the debut of the iconic brand in the Pacific region. The hotel’s 223 guestrooms and suites draw inspiration from their urban beachside location and are, says Marriott, “designed to appeal to the most discerning traveller”. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa allows …
THE UAE’S TOURISM TRILOGY
The United Arab Emirates, and in particular Dubai, are under the spotlight, as at least three major factors come into play to give a massive boost to tourism. The World Expo, pushed back a year due to the Covid-19 crisis, the opening of the Emirates to Israeli tourists and investment funds, and the opening of …
CANADA BOUNCES BACK WITH SPORT TOURISM
Sport Tourism Canada has released a report aiming to turn the country back into a popular sports destination. Sport Tourism Canada, or STC for short, is the authority promoting Canada as a destination for hosting sport events. The organisation’s Covid-19 Task Force has been working on re-imagining an industry that will have sustainable recovery from …
GERMAN INBOUND TOURISM: RECOVERY PHASE ‘TILL 2023
Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board gives an assessment of the current situation in inbound tourism and a look ahead to the future of travel to Germany. The global travel industry has been under extreme pressure since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. We asked Petra Hedorfer what she thinks …
NEW BRAND LAUNCHED BY HARD ROCK HOTELS
Hard Rock Hotels have introduced a new hotel brand with the launch of Reverb By Hard Rock in downtown Atlanta. The new hotel concept is designed to be an “energetic cultural hub for connection, creation and inspiration among music fans, locals, and travellers alike”. Located adjacent to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Reverb Downtown Atlanta marks the first opening, …
UNWTO AND CNN PARTNER ON NEW GLOBAL CAMPAIGN
The World Tourism Organisation and CNN International Commercial have teamed up to celebrate the “restart” of tourism. Centred around a 45-second film launched this week and broadcast exclusively on CNN International until January 2021, this message will reach millions of households. The #RestartTourism video highlights tourism’s unique ability to adapt and innovate and generate opportunities for sustainable …
KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS OF IATA TRAVEL PASS UNVEILED
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled key design elements of the IATA Travel Pass. IATA Travel Pass is a mobile app to help travellers easily and securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for COVID-19 testing or vaccine information. “Testing is the immediate solution to safely re-open borders and re-connect …
ITB CHINA ANNOUNCES TWO INDUSTRY EVENTS FOR 2021
Thee organisers of ITB China have announced the launch of an ITB China Special Edition in 2021 followed by the “regular” edition later in the year. The announcement follows the successful premiere of the ITB China Industry Meetup Events in 2020, along with traveller confidence which is recovering swiftly in China. The two-day special business event …
ALASKA AIRLINES INTRODUCES HAWAII PRE-CLEAR PROGRAMME
Alaska Airlines passengers travelling to Hawaii can now pre-clear on the US West Coast, avoiding lines and bypassing the airport screening process after they arrive in Hawaii with an approved negative COVID-19 test. Alaska’s Pre-Clear program, launched in coordination with the State of Hawaii, is the first of its kind to allow guests to obtain an exemption from the state’s mandatory …
WALDORF ASTORIA COMES TO XIAMEN
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts have announced the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Xiamen in China. Featuring 245 rooms and suites, this is the fourth Waldorf Astoria hotel in Greater China and the sixth in the Asia Pacific region, representing a milestone opening for the company in 2020. “The opening of Waldorf Astoria Xiamen is …