Covid-19 and impact on luxury hotels/travel
#1
formerly vienna-resident
Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Montepulciano, Tuscany
Posts: 988
Covid-19 and impact on luxury hotels/travel
Surprised that there isn't a thread on this yet. With many companies now prohibiting business travel worldwide and tourism in many parts of the world at standstill, there are bound to be some consequences on the industry.
In Italy, we are seeing a wave of cancellations all the way into summer. Americans have stopped coming altogether. Luxury hotels in Milan, Venice and even Florence are empty. Seasonal properties consider delaying their openings. It will be weeks before we are even at the peak of the epidemic, and then it will be even more weeks for the situation to return to normal. This is an unprecedented situation with no end in sight.
How does Covid-19 impact your travel plans?
In Italy, we are seeing a wave of cancellations all the way into summer. Americans have stopped coming altogether. Luxury hotels in Milan, Venice and even Florence are empty. Seasonal properties consider delaying their openings. It will be weeks before we are even at the peak of the epidemic, and then it will be even more weeks for the situation to return to normal. This is an unprecedented situation with no end in sight.
How does Covid-19 impact your travel plans?
#2
I had a trip planned for Portugal for Friday but have canceled it. I’m not terribly afraid of getting Covid19 but my biggest fears are : travel disruptions (ie flight cancellations) and quickly escalating cases (like what happened in Italy) which would necessitate self quarantine on the return. Also fear that Trump would do something stupid to our borders.
so we planned a last minute trip. I had considered twin farms but we were there last year. Blackberry farm sold out. Blackberry mountain seems too $$$$ for what it is. So we are going to Montreal. FS super cheap this time of year. Still trying to finish the trip off; thinking a couple nights at Manoir Hovey relaxing. Gonna get some good parka time in. I really wanted to be close enough that I could hop in a car and get home.
there are I bet many good travel deals to be had out there. Hopefully when the dust settles they will still be available!
fdw
so we planned a last minute trip. I had considered twin farms but we were there last year. Blackberry farm sold out. Blackberry mountain seems too $$$$ for what it is. So we are going to Montreal. FS super cheap this time of year. Still trying to finish the trip off; thinking a couple nights at Manoir Hovey relaxing. Gonna get some good parka time in. I really wanted to be close enough that I could hop in a car and get home.
there are I bet many good travel deals to be had out there. Hopefully when the dust settles they will still be available!
fdw
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 345
I had a trip planned for Portugal for Friday but have canceled it. I’m not terribly afraid of getting Covid19 but my biggest fears are : travel disruptions (ie flight cancellations) and quickly escalating cases (like what happened in Italy) which would necessitate self quarantine on the return. Also fear that Trump would do something stupid to our borders.
so we planned a last minute trip. I had considered twin farms but we were there last year. Blackberry farm sold out. Blackberry mountain seems too $$$$ for what it is. So we are going to Montreal. FS super cheap this time of year. Still trying to finish the trip off; thinking a couple nights at Manoir Hovey relaxing. Gonna get some good parka time in. I really wanted to be close enough that I could hop in a car and get home.
there are I bet many good travel deals to be had out there. Hopefully when the dust settles they will still be available!
fdw
so we planned a last minute trip. I had considered twin farms but we were there last year. Blackberry farm sold out. Blackberry mountain seems too $$$$ for what it is. So we are going to Montreal. FS super cheap this time of year. Still trying to finish the trip off; thinking a couple nights at Manoir Hovey relaxing. Gonna get some good parka time in. I really wanted to be close enough that I could hop in a car and get home.
there are I bet many good travel deals to be had out there. Hopefully when the dust settles they will still be available!
fdw

#4
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,799
I have cancelled a trip in May (Hong Kong/Singapore/Borobodur/Komodo Islands/Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta), a June trip to Guangzhou, and I am close to cancelling Paris/St. Moritz this month. I am also on the fence re going to Netherlands for a hockey tournament in Late March. Things happen so quickly, that it's a day to day update. As of now, not planning to cancel June trips yet, but you never know, fluid situation. Keeping June-Sept on the books for now, but trimming Japan out of July.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,004
Cancelled a 25-person birthday party at Aman Venice that was supposed to occur 3 weeks from now. Incredibly disappointing but couldn't risk the health concerns (a lot of 70+ guests) and an extended quarantine.
#6
I’m thinking that I would get at least some notice and can drive across the border... rearranging international flights would be a pain. I don’t think he would be that stupid but well stranger things have happened....
#11

Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Asheville, NC
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club, Dorchester Diamond Club, Travel Leaders
Posts: 1,849
I'm going to the Big Island in March ... and a river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel in April ... and still planning to do unless there is a dire turn of events.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,610
so we planned a last minute trip. I had considered twin farms but we were there last year. Blackberry farm sold out. Blackberry mountain seems too $$$$ for what it is. So we are going to Montreal. FS super cheap this time of year. Still trying to finish the trip off; thinking a couple nights at Manoir Hovey relaxing. Gonna get some good parka time in.
#14
I will fly to Mallorca on Saturday. Was able to cancel hotel (biggest cost factor) until today but didn´t. Not ready to waste money foralready paid flights, rental cars etc. As many said not afraid of the virus, but to be "prisoned" on the Island or to be quarantined. To be honest I can´t understand all the Panic. As far as I know the 'Virus isn´t especially dangerous and every day many people die because of other viruses. So what....
In July I have bookings for Northern Italy and see nor reason to cancel (1 booking is non-refundable.). In November I have a booking for Thailand and if the Hype isn´t over until November I guess we are all dead
In July I have bookings for Northern Italy and see nor reason to cancel (1 booking is non-refundable.). In November I have a booking for Thailand and if the Hype isn´t over until November I guess we are all dead

#15
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,799