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Editor’s Note — TRO wants to remind its Travelgram readers the articles presented here are meant to assist you in remaining informed and prepared to discuss travel news of the day with clients.
Destinations
Tasmania's ruggedly beautiful quarantine site
When World War One broke out in 1914, the German crew of the SS Oberhausen were declared “enemy aliens” and were captured by a band of 11 Australian naval reservists. Captain Johann Meir and his sailors, who were taking on timber in Port Huon in Tasmania at the time, could have topped up with fuel and got out of port. Instead, they stayed, as it was safer than returning to Germany to fight.…
— BBC
Sicily to subsidise post-Covid holidays as Italy ponders reopening to tourists
Sicily’s regional government is offering to subsidise holidays on the island for both domestic and international visitors in an effort to kickstart tourism after the coronavirus pandemic. News of the scheme came days before a statement from the Italian government that it expects borders to be open to tourists this summer. A financial pot of €75m of regional government money has been set aside…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
Shanghai Disneyland Will Reopen Next Week — With Lots of New Rules
In March, Disney parks around the globe made the decision to close their doors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In the weeks since, fans have waited with bated breath for word of a reopening date. Now, Disney is giving fans in Shanghai just that. On Tuesday, the company announced plans to re-open Shanghai Disneyland to the public on May 11, less than a week away. “We know how…
— Travel+Leisure
Travel with your taste buds: Recipes from around the world to try during coronavirus quarantine
Dreaming about traveling but stuck inside due to the coronavirus pandemic? You can travel with your taste buds now – without even leaving your home! We've rounded up some recipes from around the world in order to keep your wanderlust at bay, and your belly satisfied at the same time. Don't fear if you're out of certain ingredients. There are often replacements you can use…
— USA Today
Cruise
NCL Corporation Ltd. Announces $400 Million Investment by L Catterton
NCL Corporation Ltd. (“NCLC”), a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (“NCLH”, or the “Company”), announced a private placement of up to $400 million in aggregate principal amount of exchangeable senior notes due 2026 (the “Private Exchangeable Notes”) to an affiliate of L Catterton. “We are pleased to execute this agreement with L Catterton, the…
— Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd
Family of Dead Crew Member Sues Cruise Over Virus Handling
The family of a cruise crew member who died after testing positive for COVID-19 filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises on Tuesday saying the company failed to protect its employees as the pandemic ravaged sailings around the world. The wrongful death case filed in circuit court in Miami says Pujiyoko, 27, worked in housekeeping on the Symphony of the Seas and suffered from…
— Time
Transportation
What will I do when travel restrictions lift? Complete my odyssey to all 270 London tube stations
Amonth ago, I was worried about the places in this big wide world I might now never get to see, even if Covid-19 doesn’t take me. Then the focus narrowed to all the places, lovely and unlovely, in this country I might not visit. And now, logically enough in this great narrowing of all our worlds, my concerns are closer to home. I have lived in London, on and off, since coming to college in…
— The Guardian
Amtrak Extends Perks And Status Due To Coronavirus
For those who ride Amtrak often enough, there’s good news — your elite status and earned benefits will be extended. It’s no secret that the travel industry has been decimated due to COVID-19. Planes are being parked, hotel rooms are empty, and for those who live near an Amtrak station, there are fewer trains going by. Companies that provide travel are going to have to work hard over the…
— Forbes
How Airlines Are Changing Their In-Flight Rules for Coronavirus
After coming to a near standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak, the air travel industry is turning its collective attention to what it will take to get passengers flying again. The first step: making fliers feeling safe in the confined space of an airplane with new onboard regulations. In addition to increased sanitizing procedures, airlines across the globe are changing their boarding protocols, are…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Lodging
Mexican Hotels Suggest At-Home Ways To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo
While recognizing Cinco de Mayo will differ in 2020 than in recent years, hotels and tourism boards in Mexico are marketing ideas for commemorating this important day at home. The holiday, which recognizes the Mexican Army's victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III, can be celebrated through recipes and other festive ways. On their YouTube channel, Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa…
— Forbes
Airbnb Cuts 1,900 Jobs, 25% Of Its Workforce, As Pandemic Freezes Travel
Airbnb says it's cutting 1,900 employees — about 25% of its workforce — in one of the largest layoffs to hit Silicon Valley as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The global pandemic is the "most harrowing crisis of our lifetime," Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said in an email to employees on Tuesday. The virus's devastating blow to the travel industry means the company's 2020 revenue…
— NPR
Other and Odd
The Future of Travel
By every measure, the coronavirus pandemic has decimated the travel industry. The images of the world’s shutdown are eerie, the numbers are staggering. Approximately 100 million travel sector jobs, according to one global estimate, have been eliminated or will be. Passenger traffic on U.S. airlines is down 95 percent compared to last year, while international passenger revenues are expected…
— New York Times
US Travel Association Releases Industry Guidance for 'Travel in the New Normal'
With an eye toward the future, the U.S. Travel Association released new guidance to influence travel in the age of “the new normal.” The guidelines, released this week, were formed with the help of medical experts and cover everything from reducing the potential spread of COVID-19 with enhanced cleaning policies to implementing things like touchless features. "We want political leaders and…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
The Chunnel Opens
On May 6, 1994, the tunnel from Folkestone, Kent, England to Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais, France opened for business. Passing under the English Channel, the Chunnel, as it became known, is a modern marvel of engineering. It is the second-longest undersea tunnel in the world. Eleven drilling machines worked for…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Collette Celebrates National Travel Appreciation Day with messages of Gratitude for travel advisors
Pawtucket, RI (May 6, 2020) – Collette, global tour operator, is taking part in a National Day of Travel Appreciation, with messages of hope and gratitude transpiring through social media and video. Alongside the launch of the Sincerely Yours campaign, the organization is dedicated to supporting agents…
— Travel Research Online
Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
Saying ‘Thank You’ Should Be Easy
 As sales and marketing advice goes, this may very well be up there with the best of it. I was recently reminded of this natural phenomenon and I could not find my way to my computer keyboard fast enough to share it with whomever is out there listening. This is a BIGGIE. Tune…
— Travel Research Online
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