When We Can Travel Again
Apr 8, 2020, 3:13 am
#16
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I am less pessimistic than some. Antibody tests will be available soon, probably this month. A vaccine may be ready by December (distribution won’t be immediate).
The travel sector will rebound, however slowly, and not fully for a long while. There will be grievous losses. Nationally subsidized airlines are mostly safe. Many U.S. airlines will be bailed out. As business rebounds worldwide so will the airlines.
The big U.S. hotel conglomerates will be bailed as well. The smaller, independent luxury properties around the world are most at risk and they are my favorite venues.
The cruise lines? That’s a crapshoot. Some of the mega-corporate lines will limp through. Smaller lines (e.g., Windstar) are at risk.
The travel sector will rebound, however slowly, and not fully for a long while. There will be grievous losses. Nationally subsidized airlines are mostly safe. Many U.S. airlines will be bailed out. As business rebounds worldwide so will the airlines.
The big U.S. hotel conglomerates will be bailed as well. The smaller, independent luxury properties around the world are most at risk and they are my favorite venues.
The cruise lines? That’s a crapshoot. Some of the mega-corporate lines will limp through. Smaller lines (e.g., Windstar) are at risk.
Apr 8, 2020, 1:44 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
I was glad to see the topic since it had a "glass is half full" vibe, though we seem to have fallen away from that a little...
That said my planning is for October of this year and beyond with the caveat of nothing that is not fully refundable. I am hoping to reinstate my visit to The Goring in London for this fall time period.
That said my planning is for October of this year and beyond with the caveat of nothing that is not fully refundable. I am hoping to reinstate my visit to The Goring in London for this fall time period.
Apr 8, 2020, 7:15 pm
#18
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Apr 8, 2020, 9:25 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2014
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One of the big variables is going to be quarantine. Perhaps international travel is opened up in fall/winter this year. But i suspect this will entail a quarantine/isolation at destination or upon return or both.
I suspect Italy at least will be desperate and will try extra measures to bring in tourists (antibody test results, local health insurance etc). New Zealand will likely be at the other end of the spectrum.
Hopefully the serology studies currently undergoing will bring some good news and bring the fear down a notch,
I suspect Italy at least will be desperate and will try extra measures to bring in tourists (antibody test results, local health insurance etc). New Zealand will likely be at the other end of the spectrum.
Hopefully the serology studies currently undergoing will bring some good news and bring the fear down a notch,
Apr 8, 2020, 9:56 pm
#20
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My worry is that some country or other jurisdiction could see one COVID-19 case (perhaps "imported" by a "foreigner"), panic, and probably irrationally suddenly and with no notice close borders or impose draconian health requirements or quarantines.
In terms of luxury hotels, I would hate to plan to stay in some particular hotel because of its outstanding restaurant (or the facilities) and then discover that the renowned restaurant or other feature is closed when I arrive. The hotel should inform guests in advance when such decisions are made and permit cancellation without penalty, etc., but this doesn't always work very well in reality.
In terms of luxury hotels, I would hate to plan to stay in some particular hotel because of its outstanding restaurant (or the facilities) and then discover that the renowned restaurant or other feature is closed when I arrive. The hotel should inform guests in advance when such decisions are made and permit cancellation without penalty, etc., but this doesn't always work very well in reality.
Apr 8, 2020, 10:17 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 318
this is very true. And trip cancellation/interruption insurance for covid is hard to come by now. Some are completely price insensitive but for myself won't be booking anything luxury non refundable unless its last minute. Already emailed nimmo bay about last minute bookings after reopening in june (home province) Not sure how the smaller safari operators will make it out of this though without domestic clientele. Certainly for Africa (for a multitude of other reasons as well) our cure will be far worse than the disease
Apr 8, 2020, 11:01 pm
#22
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
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My fondest dream is just to get out of my land-locked home and be near the sea. My last great holiday was at the Malibu Beach Inn. That will definitely be my first stop post-quarantine.
Apr 9, 2020, 1:21 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2005
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FYI, Malbu Beach Inn is still accepting reservations and guests. You can go tonight if you wanted
Apr 9, 2020, 4:07 pm
#26
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Apr 9, 2020, 10:38 pm
#27
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From NBC News, 9 April 2020
The prohibition was extended to "address the health and safety of crew at sea as well as communities surrounding U.S. cruise ship points of entry," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a statement.
The order is effective until it's rescinded, the coronavirus national emergency is over or within 100 days, the CDC said.
The centers said at least 20 cruise ships in U.S. ports and waters have crew members on board who have the virus.
Government extends no-sail order for cruise ships
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday extended indefinitely the government's March 14 no-sail order for cruise ships, noting that 100 such vessels with an estimated 80,000 crew members aboard were offshore.The prohibition was extended to "address the health and safety of crew at sea as well as communities surrounding U.S. cruise ship points of entry," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a statement.
The order is effective until it's rescinded, the coronavirus national emergency is over or within 100 days, the CDC said.
The centers said at least 20 cruise ships in U.S. ports and waters have crew members on board who have the virus.
Apr 11, 2020, 12:13 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2004
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The first places I want to visit are long time favorites, the Four Seasons Hualalai and Paris.
I am also tempted by the new Mandarin Oriental Lake Como and the Four Seasons Kyoto, neither of which I have visited.
There is an incredible AA deal to Japan at the moment in First, 110,000 miles round trip starting late October.
I am also tempted by the new Mandarin Oriental Lake Como and the Four Seasons Kyoto, neither of which I have visited.
There is an incredible AA deal to Japan at the moment in First, 110,000 miles round trip starting late October.
Apr 11, 2020, 1:39 pm
#29
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I'm still holding London in late June, in part because BA won't allow changes on any flight after May 31 yet. But it sure would be great to be able to take that trip. I give it 50-50 at best.
Apr 12, 2020, 6:10 pm
#30
Was sydakllon
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Australian government is telling us that it is highly likely we won't be travelling internationally until 2021. We have interstate travel bans in Australia too - Qantas group is flying 3 aircraft domestically (instead of ~200), and Virgin Australia is flying one route, once daily (SYD-MEL). They're saying even domestic travel out of our states will take time to be allowed too... So hard to believe this is reality really.
So Paris/TLV in Sep/Oct is probably increasingly unlikely despite me staying positive we can go. Vienna/Lech for Christmas/New Year sounds at risk now too...
So Paris/TLV in Sep/Oct is probably increasingly unlikely despite me staying positive we can go. Vienna/Lech for Christmas/New Year sounds at risk now too...