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Sept. 3, 2020

CVOA MEMBER NEWS

Global Hospitality Outlook Webinar

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Opinion: Tourism businesses can’t weather this crisis alone, sector urgently needs targeted government aid

The Province

Without question, the tourism and hospitality sector has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost overnight, the industry saw a remarkable and distressing change. Starting with a downturn in visitors during Lunar New Year in January, our industry faced necessary shutdowns to protect public health.

V-O & TRAVEL INDUSTRY NEWS

WestJet and Air Canada will trial airport COVID-19 tests

Travel Pulse Canada

Canada’s two largest airlines and two busiest airports are hoping to improve the fortunes of the country’s travel and tourism industry by taking COVID-19 tests into their own hands. According to Reuters, Air Canada has plans for a voluntary COVID-19 test trial for passengers arriving at Toronto Pearson. The story quoted a Raymond James analyst as saying the move is being made “to help persuade the federal government to end stringent quarantine rules that have crippled air travel.”

Air Canada Vacations and Allianz offering no-cost COVID-19 insurance

Travel Pulse Canada

Air Canada Vacations and Allianz Global Assistance have set the bar high with a new, no-added-cost COVID-19 coverage plan. ACV recently announced that a COVID-19 Coverage and Assistance Plan, administered by Allianz Global Assistance, will be offered at no additional cost to customers booking with Air Canada Vacations. The plan is designed to cover emergency medical and quarantine expenses if COVID-19 is contracted while travelling.

MCR buys StayNTouch for $46 million, six months after Trump nixed Shiji deal

Phocus Wire

Hotel group MCR has splashed out $46 million to acquire hotel management software company StayNTouch. StayNTouch had originally been sold to Chinese digital giant Shiji Information Technology in September 2018 for an undisclosed fee. But U.S. president Donald Trump took a fairly unprecedented step in March this year and issued an executive order to block the sale of the business.

FMCA RV club further expanding its RV footprint via new partnership

Resort Trades

FMCA, the world’s largest nonprofit association for RV owners, has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Dynamax and Forest River Motorized (Berkshire, Georgetown, FR3, Sunseeker, and Forester) to help “enhance the RV lifestyle” for owners of these types of RVs. Dynamax and Forest River Motorized have always put customer service and quality first, and FMCA has strived to do the same.

RANDOM BITS & NEWS BITES

Marsha Walden appointed as Destination Canada’s president & CEO

Destination Canada

Recently, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages announced the appointment of Marsha Walden as Destination Canada’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Travel leaders sees uptick in US travellers heading for the great outdoors

Travel Pulse

Travel Leaders Network — which has 5,700 travel agency members across North America — reports that its travel advisors are seeing an uptick in travellers seeking advice about places they can go and things they can do to get outdoors, and away from home, before the end of 2020. Reportedly, road trips, national parks and theme parks have emerged as the most popular options.

WTTC, ICC create COVID-19 restart guide for the travel and tourism sector

Travel Pulse

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) recently released a joint set of recommendations for customer-facing businesses seeking to reopen safely amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ‘Quick Restart Guide for Employers’ has been published as a result of a virtual meeting between ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO, and WTTC President & CEO, Gloria Guevara.

Pricing principles to help hotels maximize revenue during COVID-19

Phocus Wire

The hospitality and travel industry must continue to undergo a massive overhaul in how we think about and operate almost every single department. Owners, employees, brands and investors will continue to take a direct hit from an event that we thought was only possible in disaster movies. But there are things we can do to mitigate our losses.

Airbnb claims 1.2 million listings are on enhanced cleaning program

Phocus Wire

More evidence that hygiene is becoming an important indicator for brands to use in their marketing and distribution strategy, as Airbnb indicates the number of properties that have passed a new grading system. The private accommodation giant, which is now on the road to a formal listing on the public financial markets, says 1.2 million listings have cleared its Enhanced Cleaning Protocol.

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