Covid-19 and impact on luxury hotels/travel
Mar 4, 2020, 10:24 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: UA/EK(Gold) CX(Diamond) Marriott Gold Accor Platinum Hilton Diamond Shangri-la Jade
Posts: 585
Was supposed to fly CX and stay in Huvafen Fushi in 10 days time so have postponed the trip. And have cancelled St Regis KL for a stay end of the month.
Mar 4, 2020, 10:34 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 13
Canceled a leisure trip to AZ and canceled a trip to NYC due to the cancellation of the UN's commission on the status of women events.
I know a ton of people were at the Hilton Millennium for that conference so that has got to be a sizable hit to their bottom line.
Like most have mentioned, less concerned about catching the virus (wash hands, don't touch face), but more concerned about getting quarantined in a hotel or plane for an extended period of time.
Also not leaving the country anytime soon since we could see the borders closing if things head down hill.
I know a ton of people were at the Hilton Millennium for that conference so that has got to be a sizable hit to their bottom line.
Like most have mentioned, less concerned about catching the virus (wash hands, don't touch face), but more concerned about getting quarantined in a hotel or plane for an extended period of time.
Also not leaving the country anytime soon since we could see the borders closing if things head down hill.
Mar 4, 2020, 11:09 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 352
Have a trip to Italy in late May... I'm mostly worried about flight cancellations, sites being closed and getting stuck / quarantined. Also my parents are supposed to join in Rome. Even though Rome is fine now, they are over 70 and stats don't look great for people in that age group. We're watching and waiting until the hotel cancellation deadline.
Mar 5, 2020, 12:47 am
#49
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
Have a two week trip to Mexico planned for Easter. Do not want to cancel unless there is a negative travel advice by then. Fights and some hotels not possible to cancel.
Mar 5, 2020, 12:56 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 111
Taiwan and Vietnam planned for early April, will proceed as booked.
I have the luxury of being able to work from home if self quarantine is imposed.
I have the luxury of being able to work from home if self quarantine is imposed.
Mar 5, 2020, 1:28 am
#51
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 263
Not a single cancellation yet on all my planned and booked trips incl. Italy (South Tyrol) next month unless things change.
Impact seems quite large and growing, just look at current luxe property rates i.e. in BKK, PEK, HKG, etc. I guess the hotels in HKG are the worst hit (due to the demos and the virus) and wonder for how long some of them will survive this situation. They seem to get somewhat desparate: A friend of mine recently stayed at a luxe prop in HKG and while the hotel tried to maintain its rack rate, the goodies he negotiated to get thrown in made it the best deal of his life (generous food credit, guaranteed suite upgrade from entry-level room, airport limo transfers, guaranteed late c/o, free minibar incl. alcohol, free bf and a lot of high-value stuff from the hotel shop as welcome gifts).
This debacle is hitting Italy hard as some travel warnings don't differentiate between the affected regions and rest of the country prompting many people to avoid the country at all. But it does look to me that it has become a global problem already as most people seem to stop their vacation planning for foreign country trips right now, no matter how affected the specific country is right now.
I wouldn't be surprised to see some Amans to be even emptier than they usually are. Dire times for the industry.
Impact seems quite large and growing, just look at current luxe property rates i.e. in BKK, PEK, HKG, etc. I guess the hotels in HKG are the worst hit (due to the demos and the virus) and wonder for how long some of them will survive this situation. They seem to get somewhat desparate: A friend of mine recently stayed at a luxe prop in HKG and while the hotel tried to maintain its rack rate, the goodies he negotiated to get thrown in made it the best deal of his life (generous food credit, guaranteed suite upgrade from entry-level room, airport limo transfers, guaranteed late c/o, free minibar incl. alcohol, free bf and a lot of high-value stuff from the hotel shop as welcome gifts).
This debacle is hitting Italy hard as some travel warnings don't differentiate between the affected regions and rest of the country prompting many people to avoid the country at all. But it does look to me that it has become a global problem already as most people seem to stop their vacation planning for foreign country trips right now, no matter how affected the specific country is right now.
I wouldn't be surprised to see some Amans to be even emptier than they usually are. Dire times for the industry.
Mar 5, 2020, 3:59 am
#52
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 143
I’m leaving in a few hours for a long ago booked three week long trip to Jordan then Egypt. I’m most concerned about all the hours in planes, 16 for me today, plus long connections at JFK and Cairo. The trip is a tour for 16 people. It’ll be interesting to see how many don’t come.
Mar 5, 2020, 4:10 am
#53
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
I have cancelled all my holiday trips and non-essential travels for the past two months. My only upcoming trip is my long holiday to USA and that one might also be up in the air depends on how the situation unfolds. Personally, I do not think the virus is that lethal as most people only get mild symptoms like common cold, but it's the hysteria and panic and government enforced action as a result that makes it very inconvenient to travel without high risk.
I think if this drags on any longer, we are going to start reading most of these properties are going to start shutting down one by one. How long can they go on with occupancy at 20% or less?
I think if this drags on any longer, we are going to start reading most of these properties are going to start shutting down one by one. How long can they go on with occupancy at 20% or less?
Mar 5, 2020, 4:12 am
#54
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Belgium
Posts: 270
We have a month-long trip to South Africa and Namibia coming up in April. No cases reported yet in either country so I remain hopeful the virus won't affect this trip.
For our 45-day trip to Italy and the South of France in May and June however we have decided to rent a camper van. This way we can avoid certain areas if necessary. Instead of going to Italy we might change our plans and go to Spain or Portugal or the Nordics instead depending on the situation at that time. It won't be luxurious but non-luxurious travel is better than no travel in our eyes!
For our 45-day trip to Italy and the South of France in May and June however we have decided to rent a camper van. This way we can avoid certain areas if necessary. Instead of going to Italy we might change our plans and go to Spain or Portugal or the Nordics instead depending on the situation at that time. It won't be luxurious but non-luxurious travel is better than no travel in our eyes!
Mar 5, 2020, 4:55 am
#55
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NY, NY & Long Island
Posts: 76
I just hiked the Grand Canyon with 2 nights at Bright Angel lodge, dinner at el Tovar and one night in a 2 person cabin at Phantom Ranch (tough but doable hike), followed by a night in Sedona and 2 nights at Hacienda del Sol (historic luxury resort) in Tucson. All locations had lots of cancellations and are wide open for wonderful, memorable vacations right now. Stop by Sedona and Canyon de Chelly or any other magical high desert locations between the canyon and tucson for a great vacation. Skip phoenix.
Mar 5, 2020, 9:58 am
#56
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 88
Personally I don’t fear the health impact at all, however as others mentioned, there are several bad scenarios that can play out:
- Airlines cancelling at the last minute, impacting prepaid plans
- airlines cancelling return trips
- Hotels going into quarantine with me in it
- Being quarantined in the hospital with less than stellar standards
- Quarantine location standards crashing due to excess sick people
- random government knee jerk reactions such as travel bans or being stuck in airports
Just too many unknowns.
We are probably just going to stay in europe and expect being stuck at home
- Airlines cancelling at the last minute, impacting prepaid plans
- airlines cancelling return trips
- Hotels going into quarantine with me in it
- Being quarantined in the hospital with less than stellar standards
- Quarantine location standards crashing due to excess sick people
- random government knee jerk reactions such as travel bans or being stuck in airports
Just too many unknowns.
We are probably just going to stay in europe and expect being stuck at home
Mar 5, 2020, 10:11 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,522
I’m actually considering a trip to Tuscany. I feel being careful. Hygiene. Smart. It could be a great uncrowned time. I’ve found round trip for under $500. I’m sure hotels or Airbnb would be cheap too.
I guess my largest concern is not being able to return? I can think of worse places to stay for awhile tho
thoughts?
I guess my largest concern is not being able to return? I can think of worse places to stay for awhile tho
thoughts?
Mar 5, 2020, 10:25 am
#58
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 226
I did not go with dear husband on a fishing trip to Abaco, Bahamas in February. Will not join him on next trip in April. Due to respiratory issues, I will not fare well if I get this virus.
For healthy individuals and those with no relatives in higher age groups I think the big risk is risking being quarantined.
The travel industry is going to have a very bad bottom line this year.
For healthy individuals and those with no relatives in higher age groups I think the big risk is risking being quarantined.
The travel industry is going to have a very bad bottom line this year.
Mar 5, 2020, 11:04 am
#59
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 263
We have a month-long trip to South Africa and Namibia coming up in April. No cases reported yet in either country so I remain hopeful the virus won't affect this trip.
For our 45-day trip to Italy and the South of France in May and June however we have decided to rent a camper van. This way we can avoid certain areas if necessary. Instead of going to Italy we might change our plans and go to Spain or Portugal or the Nordics instead depending on the situation at that time. It won't be luxurious but non-luxurious travel is better than no travel in our eyes!
For our 45-day trip to Italy and the South of France in May and June however we have decided to rent a camper van. This way we can avoid certain areas if necessary. Instead of going to Italy we might change our plans and go to Spain or Portugal or the Nordics instead depending on the situation at that time. It won't be luxurious but non-luxurious travel is better than no travel in our eyes!
The South Africa case involves a man returning there from Italy trip.
Mar 5, 2020, 2:52 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 15
We are supposed to go to Venice, Rome and Ravello mid April to the 27th. Staying at Cipriani in Venice, Spalletti Trivelli in Rome and Caruso in Ravello. Belmond has been very nice in keeping me updated. I just feel bad for everything they are going through in Venice. Spalletti also has been very nice. I really want to go (family trip) but of course the decision is probably out of my hands. Still have not cancelled, waiting a couple more weeks as this situation just keeps changing. Who knows they may not want Americans there in a month, lol.