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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
An Estimated 13000 American Tourists Still Arriving in Cancun Daily
According to ASUR, the airport group which runs the Cancun International Airport, an estimated 13,000 American passengers are still arriving daily. On Monday, a total of 100 flights arrived carrying over 15,000 international passengers. 87 of the flights were from the United…
— Travel Off Path
Which Countries Accept Vaccinated Travellers?
As countries globally begin their vaccine drives, travel restrictions are slowly being lifted. A handful of countries have already started lifting their quarantine requirements for passengers, (re)opening new destinations. Here’s which countries are…
— Simple Flying
Cruise
Two more cruise lines announce vaccine requirement
Make that three cruise operators that will require all passengers to get a COVID-19 vaccine before cruising. Indiana-based river line American Queen Steamboat Company and sister brand Victory Cruise Lines on Tuesday Feb. 2 became the first North American cruise brands to announce that passengers will need to show…
— The Points Guy
What are the best cruise lines and ships? Vote now
Cruising is among the most popular ways to see the world. Unpack once and take in the sights of the world’s rivers and seas from your floating hotel. More than 29 million people cruised in 2019, aboard more than 50 cruise lines sailing in all seven…
— USA Today
Transportation
Airlines add new mask exemptions following federal mandate
As of Feb. 2, 2021, travelers are now required by law to wear a mask when traveling on airplanes, trains, buses, taxis and rideshare services in the United States. Previously, all U.S. airlines mandated face coverings of some sort, and anyone who refused to comply could be met with a temporary or permanent flying…
— The Points Guy
Airlines bear the brunt of catching COVID rules-dodging passengers
The pandemic has saddled airlines with yet another job — validating passengers' coronavirus tests, without which they're not allowed to travel to a growing number of countries. That's an increasingly fraught process, with Europol saying this week that criminal gangs have been involved in falsifying negative…
— Politico
Lodging
7 ways hotels are changing because of coronavirus
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, hotels were forced to adapt their policies to keep both guests and employees safe. While some of these new practices — like extending benefits for hotel rewards programs — are short-term solutions to an…
— WTOP
The World’s Best Hotels For Close-Up Animal Encounters
I must admit that I am somewhat animal crazy. Wherever I travel, I check out what animal experiences I can enjoy nearby. I love to get close and personal with anything from the animal kingdom that lives…
— Travel Awaits
Other and Odd
Four travelers eat 66 pounds of oranges to avoid extra airline fees
Four travelers probably never want to see an orange again after reportedly devouring 66 pounds of the citrus fruit at a Chinese airport to avoid paying extra airline…
— New York Post
Incredible Travel Photographer of the Year 2020 pictures revealed
While the prospect of travel was mostly out of reach for the majority of us in 2020, entries to the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) have provided great inspiration for future dreams and…
— CNN
Tahiti and Bora Bora Close For All Tourism Until Further Notice
French Polynesia, including the islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora, have re-closed their borders for all international tourism as Feb 2,…
— Travel Off Path
Today in History
The Sixteenth Amendment Ratified (Income Tax)
On February 3, 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified by the United States Congress, allowing the Federal government to collect a tax based on income. While the Constitution give the Congress the power of taxation, a Supreme Court case had held that…
— Travel Research Online
Point-to-Point
The Small Ultra-Luxury Ships Are the Safest for Cruising
by Steven Frankel
Wednesday February 03, 2021
The Small Ultra -Luxury Ships (let's call them SULS) are defined by their numbers.
They are spacious. The passenger space ratio is at least 65 for true SULS. We derive this figure by dividing the gross tonnage of the ship by the number of passengers. The passenger space ratio is the most accurate estimate of how crowded each ship is. Tight quarters are linked to how quickly a virus can spread among guests and crew members.
You can buy Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships (Douglas Ward) on Amazon for less than $20. It provides this ratio for the 300 cruise ships that serve the American and Canadian markets. If the calculated ratio is in the 30’s or 40’s, the CDC may demand that ship sail with fewer…
— Travel Research Online
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Taking Control
When Cruises Come Back
by Richard D'Ambrosio
Tuesday February 02, 2021
It’s the most maligned segment of the travel industry – cruises. Some will say rightly so, because cruise ships have the inherent weakness of being a contained environment where people frequently are restricted in close quarters.
But others would say that this same weakness is their strength. If cruise lines can better screen who boards their ships, and establish quick response protocols to contain an onboard outbreak, to some degree, cruising could become a floating extended travel bubble.
I’m no epidemiologist, but a slew of them last fall put together a comprehensive plan for trying to minimize onboard outbreaks. In their report, they stated that “with the ongoing advances in areas such as testing and therapies, our recommendations provide cruise operators with a robust set of…
— Travel Research Online
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