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Category: Travel
Travel companies accused of encouraging students to take spring break trips during coronavirus pandemic
Travel firms in the US have been accused of encouraging students to take trips over Spring Break, despite the global coronavirus pandemic.
JusCollege, which organises all-inclusive group trips for college students, sent an email to customers saying: “our travel destinations remain among the safest and most enjoyable places in the world to visit right now,” reports NBC.
“We hope that you choose to enjoy your Spring Break with us – we’re currently in our 2nd week of Cabo and have had almost 5,000 travellers, all with no issues,” read the message.
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“Flights have been fully operational and we have had nearly 100 per cent turn out. Our events are completely operational with zero impact from Covid-19 thus far.”
The email was received by some of the 44 students from the University of Texas who tested positive for coronavirus following a JusCollege trip to Cabo San Lucas from 14-19 March.
Covid-19 had been declared a pandemic two days before their departure, on 12 March, by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The company’s cancellation policy also originally dissuaded customers from ducking out, as it stated no refunds would be given if holidays were cancelled within 90 days of the departure date.
JusCollege told The Independent it is now “working tirelessly with airlines and hotels to get the best possible outcome for our customers – whether that’s a credit or partial refund.”
A spokesperson said: “We take the safety of our customers very seriously and are working with public health authorities to assist where we can. JusCollege always follows US government regulations and guidance from the state department when making travel recommendations, and Mexico was not under a federal travel advisory at the time the trip departed.
“It was an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation, and our communications to our customers were being updated in line with the changing US government guidelines. Our thoughts are with the students who are ill and the healthcare providers and public health officials who are working to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.”
They added: “Refunds are made at the discretion of the hotels or airlines we work with, who are holding the vast majority of our customers’ funds. We apologise for the delays and will continue doing everything we can to help at this difficult time.”
Other companies took a similar line, with College Party Cruise writing to concerned students and telling them the cruises were “safe” and that ships were “1,000 times cleaner than being on campus”, according to correspondence seen by the Daily Beast.
The company, a subsidiary of Ignite Cruises, told students there was “no reason to be panicked” on 10 March and said that no refunds would be given “regardless of the reason”.
Students who wanted to cancel were offered a “future cruise credit” from Royal Caribbean, the third-party cruise operator, valid until 2021.
“If Royal Caribbean does not provide refunds, there is nothing we can do as a travel agency,” a College Party Cruise employee told the Daily Beast.
“I do stand by my statement in regards to the safety on board at that time.
“We had over 1,000 guests sail on our 9 March cruise and they had the best spring break of their lives (their words, not mine).”
The Independent has asked Ignite Cruises for further comment.
It comes after an investigation was launched into Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) following “disturbing allegations” that it misled customers about the threat of coronavirus in order to protect sales.
Florida’s attorney general, Ashley Moody, has confirmed she is conducting a thorough investigation of the claims.
“My consumer protection division is conducting an extensive investigation to get to the bottom of the disturbing allegations against Norwegian Cruise Lines,” said Moody.
“Let this serve as a warning to anyone seeking to mislead consumers during these challenging times.”
The company declined to comment on the allegations.
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The £11billion black hole the UK tourism industry could face – and how Britons can help
As borders close, airlines reduce schedules and the FCO warns Britons against international travel, the wider tourism industry has seen a devastating decrease in revenue and demand. However, the wave of coronavirus losses is now hitting the UK’s domestic tourism industry, with VisitBritain predicting the tourism sector will lose approximately £11 billion in the summer months if the extensive lockdown measures continue until the August bank holiday weekend.
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With the Easter weekend fast approaching, the UK should be gearing up to a busy time for domestic trips, with families heading on camping trips and for days out to museums and other cultural hotspots.
According to the BBC, last year in April and May it is estimated that Britons took 10 million domestic holidays and in that time spent £2.1 billion.
However, with the government continuing to urge the nation to stay home, it could be a very different outlook for businesses this year.
One of the most heavily impacted areas is predicted to be seaside resorts where they rely largely on tourism for a majority of their income.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Susie Brown, owner of The Twenty One guesthouse explained the impact restricted movement has already had on bookings.
“It’s a very surreal situation actually. We’ve had so many cancellations, obviously,” she said.
“They started coming through in February, and they are still coming through now right the way through to August.
“At first when this happened we were so worried financially but now we’re all really more worried about our health.”
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Meanwhile, B&B owner from North Yorkshire pointed out other financial losses on top of cancellations as some business insurers say they can’t payout as the virus “isn’t on their list”.
Britons are further being urged to stay away from beaches, parks and other outdoor spaces after an increase in foot traffic sparked concerns about overcrowding.
Though Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the government is “not planning any changes imminently” to social distancing rules, which currently allow for walks and daily exercise, measures have been taken to close some car parks and public spaces to deter people from driving to them.
“What we are doing is being absolutely clear that the current rules must be followed,” he said.
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“So I say this to the small minority of people who are breaking the rules or pushing the boundaries: you’re risking your own life and the lives of others and you’re making it harder for us all.”
It isn’t just hotels and resorts that are suffering monumental blows.
A museum owner from Brighton painted a picture of the massive changes his business has already experienced in the first few weeks of national isolation.
“We are losing out really seriously with no footfall, no visitors, no schools,” said Chris Littledale, founder of Brighton’s Toy and Model Museum.
“A beautiful museum has suddenly become a ghost museum because nobody is here.”
In a bid to help reduce financial devastation for hotels and other tourism businesses, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis implores Britons to think about “ethics and morality” before asking for a cash refund.
Many hotels and other vendors are offering customers vouchers for future stays and experiences in a bid to curtail losses.
Those who would not find themselves in a “financial bind” by accepting vouchers over a refund are encouraged to do so.
He explains: “I would say in this day and age we are trying to keep as many companies surviving as we can.
“If you can take the voucher and that wouldn’t compromise you and your finances taking that voucher form this company may just be what keeps this company going and keeps its staff in a job.
“So I’m not telling anybody to do that, I’m saying we must all look at our own personal, ethics, morality and situation which is very important to decide how hard we are going to push in these unprecedented times.”
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Covid 19 coronavirus: How different cultures are coping with lockdown
More time at home means being more present in the moment. Juliette Sivertsen looks at how some other cultures do it
We travel to expand our horizons, to explore somewhere new. Some travellers bring back souvenirs to remember the journey, others, a new way of living based on principles from another culture.
Where the English language often fails to succinctly encapsulate these concepts, other languages can summarise them in a single word.
Here are four foreign words to introduce to your lifestyle at home. The common thread between them is a sense of being present in the moment.
LAGOM
If there’s ever a time to listen to this word, it’s during a global crisis filled with panic-buying. This Swedish word roughly translates to “just the right amount” – not too much, not too little. It can also be translated as living a balanced life, a life with everything in moderation.
UBUNTU
Ubuntu is an African philosophy of connectedness, compassion and humanity. That somehow we are all connected to one another, and therefore must care for all those around us. Broken down, it means “I am, because of you”. You could have all the riches in the world, but without ubuntu, you cannot be complete.
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Hotels Around the World Share the View From Their Windows for Everyone Stuck at Home
You’re staying at home and doing your part to halt the spread of coronavirus. Along with many millions of Americans, you’re heeding the advice or orders of professionals and officials. But right about now, you might be getting a bit tired of TV, books, cleaning closets, or whatever has been occupying your newfound spare time.
Museums, performers, chefs, and others have generously created tours, classes, and shows for you to watch. Hotels have invited you to look beyond your block by tuning into their webcams to see what’s happening out there without you.
You know that eventually the time will come for you to travel again, but in the meantime if looking out your own windows is no longer entertaining, we’re sharing window views from hotels around the world to inspire your imagination and maybe even your future travel plans.
Camp Long Creek at Big Cedar Lodge – Ridgedale, MO
This Camp Long Creek glamping tent looks out over the lush greenery and sparkling waters of Table Rock Lake. One of 19 glamping units, it includes a canopy bed, wood stove, heat, air conditioning, fire pit, and wooden deck.
The Prince Waikiki – Honolulu, HI
All guest rooms and suites at The Prince Waikiki offer floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, marina, and city skyline.
Turneffe Island Resort – Belize
This peaceful scene is Turneffe Island’s private beach and dock, complete with swinging love seat, set in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of mainland Belize.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba – Riviera Maya, Mexico
This all-pool-villa resort features meandering lagoons, white sand beach, the Caribbean Sea, and private pools, as seen in this view from a spacious bedroom.
Ocean House – Watch Hill, Rhode Island
This window at Ocean House offers an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean at dusk.
Tierra Patagonia Adventure Spa Hotel – Torres del Paine, Chile
This stunning view from the indoor pool at Tierra Patagonia Adventure Spa Hotel is Lake Sarmiento in Torres del Paine National Park.
The Moorings – British Virgin Islands
This The Moorings charter is sailing from the airport on Beef Island to the Virgin Gorda Baths, Cooper Island, Angeda, then to Jost Van Dyke to explore White Bay, Sandy Cay, for an overnight stay in Great Harbour.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Maui, HI
The Awili Spa & Salon at Andaz Maui offers treatments with ocean views of the coastline along Mokapu Beach.
Capella Lodge – Lord Howe Island, Australia
The Lidgbird Pavilion room at Capella Lodge boasts views of the sparkling Tasman Sea and a lush-green Mount Gower.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa – Palm Desert, CA
This luxurious room at the JW Marriot Desert Springs Resort & Spa offers a view of one of the hotel pools with a backdrop of the San Gorgonio Mountains.
The Cove – Eleuthera, Bahamas
Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and the blue Atlantic, this stunning private island resort offers guests exclusive access to two white sand beaches.
Il Salviatino – Fiesole, Italy
Il Salviatino, set in lush surroundings only 15 minutes from Florence’s city center, offers stunning views of the Florentine skyline and Tuscan pines on the hills.
Casa Palopo – Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
This 15-room boutique hotel overlooks Central America’s deepest lake and three majestic volcanoes across the shore, with colorful accommodations that are outfitted by local artisans, complemented by inspiring views.
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco – Cusco, Peru
The Imperial Suite in this 16th-century convent turned luxury hotel offers views of Cusco’s charming rooftops and the Andean hills beyond.
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino – Palm Beach, Aruba
Wrap-around windows at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino provide stunning views of Aruba’s turquoise waters, beaches dotted with palapas, and the lively pool scene.
Matakauri Lodge – Queenstown, New Zealand
Set on the banks of Lake Wakatipu just outside Queenstown, the Matakauri Lodge includes 12 luxury suites and a four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage.
The Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – Bora Bora
The Brando Suite at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa boasts 180-degree views of Bora Bora’s island and famous Mount Otemanu. The two-bedroom overwater suites frame the surrounding turquoise lagoon, outdoor terrace, and infinity pool.
Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang – Siem Reap, Cambodia
Set within eight acres of lush gardens, lemongrass meadows, and rice paddies near Siem Reap, the Sunset Lounge at Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang is the place to watch the sun melt into the horizon over the paddy fields.
Marina del Rey Hotel – Marina del Rey, CA
This Marina del Rey Hotel suite view overlooks the marina, the world’s largest man-made harbor and idyllic Los Angeles waterfront paradise.
AKA West Hollywood – Los Angeles, CA
Enjoy views of downtown Los Angeles from a fully furnished suite in this luxurious long-term living property.
Portola Hotel & Spa – Monterey, CA
This guest room at Portola Hotel & Spa overlooks Central California’s picturesque Monterey Bay, near Carmel-by-the Sea.
The Louise – Barossa, South Australia
One of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, The Louise offers stunning views of some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz vines in the idyllic Barossa Valley wine region.
Kangaroo Island Stays – Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Offering views of the beautiful, yet wild Southern Ocean, dream away on Kangaroo Island, known as the wildlife mecca of South Australia.
Sequoia Lodge at Mt. Lofty – Adelaide Hills, South Australia
South Australia’s newest six-star property in Adelaide Hills offers striking views of Piccadilly Valley and local wildlife including koalas and kangaroos.
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort & Spa – Carlsbad, CA
This five-star hotel offers views of coastal Batiquitos Lagoon, golf course, and rolling foothills.
Green Spa Resort Stanglwirt – Tyrol, Austria
This wellness resort is surrounded by the majestic panorama of the Wilder Kaiser Mountain range.
Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho – Tokyo, Japan
The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel, looks out over the Shinjuku Park and central Tokyo.
Daios Cove – Crete, Greece
The deluxe sea view room offers unobstructed views of Daios Cove private cove and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Shanghai Edition – Shanghai, China
This spectacular view from the Shanghai Edition takes in the historical Bund area of Shanghai Puxi, against the backdrop of Pudong’s modern skyscrapers.
The Bodrum Edition – Bodrum, Turkey
Located on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast just steps from the bay, the Bodrum Edition offers views of the Aegean Sea from most guest rooms.
The New York Edition – New York City
The elegant design of Ian Schrager, along with its Madison Avenue location, offers comfort, convenience, and spectacular views of the city’s iconic skyline from the New York Edition.
Locke at Broken Wharf – London, England
This newly opened apartment hotel offers views of the Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, and Shakespeare’s Globe from its location on the north bank of the river Thames.
Castle Hot Springs – Castle Hot Springs, AZ
This window at the Castle Hot Springs Bar 1896 lets guests view the Bradshaw Mountains while they enjoy one of the bar’s unique and creative cocktails.
The Conrad New York Midtown – New York City
The one-of-a-kind Atrium Suite provides stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park. The main living room is set within a glass domed atrium for panoramic views of the sky.
The DeBruce – Livingston Manor, NY
The glass-walled dining room at The DeBruce overlooks the rolling mountains of the Willowemoc Valley. In summer, the glass walls open to create a suspended open-air dining experience.
Hotel Hendricks – New York City
The new Hendricks Rooftop, a stylish bar and lounge perched atop Hotel Hendricks, offers craft cocktails and light bites along with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.
Thyme in the Cotswolds – Southrop, England
Thyme is an English country destination, nestled in the heart of the Cotswold village of Southrop, with views of the garden and local farm.
Suncadia Resort – Cle Elum, WA
Located 80 scenic miles from Seattle on the sunny side of the Cascade Mountains, this all-season resort offers views of mountains and lush green slopes.
Bodega Bay Lodge – Bodega Bay, CA
Located on California’s iconic Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay Lodge offers spectacular views of the rugged coastline and sparkling Pacific Ocean.
Malibu Beach Inn – Malibu, CA
This five-star boutique hotel is set on the coast along a strip nicknamed “Billionaire’s Beach” with panoramic views of the ocean, shoreline, and Malibu’s most recognizable landmark, the Malibu Pier.
Fforest – Wales, United Kingdom
This unique glamping property with three locations offers views of the tranquil mid-Wales countryside from the large bay window.
Roch Castle – Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
This five-star hotel offers luxurious accommodations and panoramic views of St. Bride’s Bay and the Preseli Hills.
Ojai Valley Inn – Ojai, CA
Lush green hills and the Topa Topa mountain range create a perfect escape from Los Angeles at the Ojai Valley Inn, just an hour and a half away.
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa – Champagne, France
From the hotel’s hilltop setting, guests enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa – St. Bart’s
Guests at Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa wake each day to sunshine and views of the Caribbean and white sand beaches.
LondonHouse Chicago – Chicago, IL
This downtown Chicago luxury hotel overlooks the city skyline and the Chicago River that flows out to Lake Michigan.
Holland Peak Ranch – Condon, MT
Set on 1,000 private acres among the Swan Mountain Range on the banks of the Swan River, Holland Peak Ranch offers views of ice lakes, mountain tops, and wildlife.
The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel – Kennebunkport, ME
Set on the Kennebunk River steps from Dock Square, the Boathouse Waterfront Hotel overlooks the harbor side of the river.
The Resort at Pelican Hill – Newport Beach, CA
This two-bedroom villa offers spectacular views of Newport Beach, Catalina Island, and the Pacific Ocean.
Moxy Chelsea – New York City
Floor-to-ceiling windows provide the perfect view of Manhattan’s skyline from the Moxy Chelsea.
Grand Hotel Kronenhof – Pontresina, Switzerland
This luxury hotel is located in the heart of the idyllic Engadine village of Pontresina, surrounded by the Alps, just a few miles from St. Moritz.
Viceroy Los Cabos – San Jose del Cabo, Baja California, Mexico
Located on the Baja California coast, this beachfront property offers views of the Sea of Cortez from floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Langham – Chicago, IL
This 5-star hotel is located along the Chicago River offering fascinating views of the river and Lake Michigan.
Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards – New York City
Guests at Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards enjoy sweeping views of the Hudson River, Hudson Yards, and the New York City skyline.
Canyon Ranch – Woodside, CA
View of the vast redwood forest from a “treehouse” room at Canyon Ranch.
Capella Singapore – Sentosa Island, Singapore
View of the Sentosa Island forested area and the South China Sea from a Premier Garden Room at the Capella Singapore.
Harbor View Hotel – Edgartown, MA
View of the ocean, lighthouse, outer harbor, and Chappaquiddick Island from the Presidential Skyhouse at the Harbor View Hotel.
Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como – Lake Como, Italy
Guests at the Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como enjoy a 180-degree view of Lake Como from La Residenza Living Room.
Mandarin Oriental New York – New York City
Guests at the Mandarin Oriental New York are treated to this bird’s-eye view of Central Park from the luxurious bathroom.
Trunk House – Tokyo, Japan
This serene courtyard view is a pleasure at the Trunk House, a 70-year-old geisha house turned boutique hotel.
Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel – Bangkok, Thailand
Guests enjoy this panoramic view of Bangkok and the legendary Chao Phraya River at Avani + Riverside Bangkok Hotel.
Ashford Castle – County Mayo, Ireland
This 13th-century castle hotel in western Ireland is set on 350 acres of land overlooking the scenic Lough Corrib.
Angama Mara – Maasai Mara, Kenya
This luxury safari lodge, set in the famed Maasai Mara, overlooks the Great Rift Valley, home of the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.
The Silo – Cape Town, South Africa
At The Silo, guests are enveloped in the Cape Town skyline with incredible views that include Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, and the city below.
Schloss Elmau – Bavarian Alps, Germany
This luxurious spa resort set in the heart of the Bavarian Alps boasts breathtaking views of the soaring Wetterstein Mountain and the rushing Ferchenbach Creek below.
Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé – Le Grand-Luce, France
The Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé’s gardens, inspired by the gardens at Versailles, feature finely manicured boxwoods, topiaries, expanses of green grass, and eight extraordinary statues that were gifts from King Louis XV.
L’Auberge de Sedona – Sedona, AZ
L’Auberge de Sedona hotel offers panoramic views of Arizona’s stunning Red Rocks and the waters of Oak Creek.
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown – Los Angeles, CA
The tallest building west of Chicago provides sweeping vistas of Los Angeles from the coastline of the South Bay to the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal – Los Cabos, Mexico
Set on the southernmost tip of Baja California where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal provides stunning views from every guest room.
Inn at Perry Cabin – St. Michaels, MD
This charming luxury retreat is set along the Chesapeake Bay overlooking Miles River on the edge of St. Michaels, a town steeped in the region’s crabbing and oystering traditions.
Bungalows Key Largo – Key Largo, FL
Located on the northernmost of the Florida Keys an hour south of Miami, this waterfront resort offers private bungalows with sea views and garden outdoor showers.
The Spectator Hotel – Charleston, SC
The Deluxe Queen Suite provides a view of historic St. Philip’s Church, one of the attractions and landmarks within a short distance of the Spectator Hotel.
Ritz-Carlton Perth – Perth, Western Australia
Located in the heart of Perth, the Ritz-Carlton Perth offers views of Elizabeth Quay, the Belltower, Swan River, and the Perth Skyline.
Urban Cowboy Lodge – Big Indian, NY
Guests enjoy views of the Catskills and Slide Mountain, the highest peak in the range, from Urban Cowboy Lodge.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa – Koh Samui, Thailand
From Villa 44 at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, overlooking the Leisure Pool and the Gulf of Thailand.
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What Will US Travel Will Look Like After COVID-19?
Industry leaders are presaging that the face of the travel industry, as well as the ways in which people choose to travel, will be forever changed once we’ve reached the other side of the COVID-19 health crisis.
Opinions and forecasts cite several, sometimes disparate, sentiments believed to be brewing among the public while people remain confined to their homes under self-isolation orders.
Unsurprisingly, safety and a solid sense of security are assumed to be top-of-mind as travelers begin to venture out into the world again, post-coronavirus.
Some suppose that travelers may “test the water” cautiously, while others predict that, coming out of this lengthy isolation, people’s desire to shake off cabin fever will spur them to spring for more adventurous bucket-list-type getaways.
The prevailing opinion among the travel industry leaders we surveyed is that, initially, Americans will opt for experiences closer-to-home, concentrating on getting out-of-doors, seeking off-the-beaten-path locations, avoiding modes of mass transportation and traveling with small groups of trusted companions.
“We’re already beginning to see new trends take shape. For example, travelers will be wary of public transportation and plane travel, choosing to drive via their own cars to explore nearby destinations,” said Lisa Burns, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council. “We also predict there will be a larger emphasis on outdoor, open-air attractions and destinations as social distancing phases out slowly.”
Dan Yates, Managing Director of Pitchup.com agreed, “Even if the government gives the green light before summer, many will be reticent to travel and will choose remote, domestic locations like campgrounds over densely populated areas, certainly avoiding transport hubs like international airports.” Yates pointed out, “We also anticipate an increased interest in low-cost travel given the economic impact Coronavirus has inflicted on so many.”
Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLEX, echoed the expectation, “We anticipate many travelers will still play it relatively safe by traveling in smaller groups and choosing closer-to-home, more familiar domestic travel after restrictions are lifted.” She said, “Following this long period of social distancing, we’ll find many people revisiting the places and experiences that fill them with joy.”
Phil Hospod, owner of Rhode Island’s The Wayfinder Hotel, also believes people will largely stick to traveling via private automobile, saying, “We expect to see families, friends, and couples jumping into their cars and hitting the open road. We also predict we’ll see more travelers choosing convenient, nostalgic vacation destinations.”
Despite these near-term trend forecasts, Ramer also predicts that people will be also eager to set things in motion for trips in the farther-off future.
“After being cooped up, people will start to put plans in place for destinations that have always been on their bucket list,” she said, “and they may even be more apt to try adventure-filled experiences with their renewed sense of freedom.”
Those who do travel internationally are expected to take steps to avoid crowds, opting for off-the-beaten-path locales and also booking during shoulder season.
Tomohiro Murakami and Mika White, Founders of Tourism Exchange Japan, said that they expect Japan-bound travelers to seek out smaller, lesser-known prefectures, rather than spending the majority of their stays in over-populated cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
Reflecting upon the effects that our collective, pent-up wanderlust is having on society in lockdown, Paul McGowan, Founder of Study Hotels, said, “Above all, we must remember that travel is an antidote to all this: providing positive, aspirational feelings in the wake of our current confinement.”
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Venice abandons tourist fee due to coronavirus devastation – but will free entry last?
Italian holiday hotspot Venice has put its obligatory entry fee for tourists on hold after the devastating effects of coronavirus. The controversial fee was due to come into action on June 1 2020, however, following a global lockdown, the city’s officials have decided to press pause on changes for now as part of a budget rethink.
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Originally due to come into action on July 1 2020, the charge would see tourists paying between three and eight euros per day to visit the city.
It would only apply to those heading into the canal filled region for day trips, no those staying overnight.
Plans stated that the council would levy the entry fee, which would start at a standard rate of €3, rise to €6 on busier days, and peak season entry would cost €8.
Those entering on boats or ships would pay €5 per day.
If visiting during “critical” periods including summer weekends they will have to pay €10 (£8.90) to access the World Heritage site which encompasses the city centre and islands of the Venice Lagoon.
However, as the city has been forced to close to tourists amid a global lockdown to tackle the pandemic, local officials have deemed the fee an unwise move to kick start their tourist season.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said that introducing the fee now would be “ill-timed”.
Despite the timing, though, Brugnaro remains positive about the future and said the administration has plans to bring “ a different kind of tourism in Venice” with a battle against overcrowding remaining at the forefront.
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The tourist charge will still go ahead in the future to help aid the local council’s plans, but will not begin on April 1, 2021, instead, a year later than initially planned.
Venice will continue to charge a tourist tax to those who visit the city once the pandemic has eased, but is allowing hotels and other tourist accommodation centres more time to declare it.
The budget also took into account other taxes which may be affected during the city’s closure.
A city that relies upon and thrives because of tourism, Venice has been hit hard by the impact of coronavirus.
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The Italian government has been called into action to help keep the city afloat.
This includes extending help to cover debts incurred by businesses as a result of forced closures and to maintain local public transport which has seen a major decrease in revenue with the lack of foot traffic.
he council remain positive about regaining their popularity in the future though, with Brugnaro saying “Venice is Venice.”
In recent years Venice authorities reported a number of antisocial situations with tourists at the centre, one of the main instigators for a change in tourism.
Last summer alone local police handed out 100 fines to tourists for anti-social behaviour in two months.
While the fee may not be on hand to tackle some of these issues initially, the government remain firm that they will continue to combat some of the problems brought about by tourism, and encourage positive tourism for the city.
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Amazing past entries from the Landscape Photographer of the Year comp
Think YOU could win Landscape Photographer of the Year 2020? These amazing entries show just how tough the competition is
- The Landscape Photographer of the Year competition has extended the deadline for the 2020 contest
- The competition is split into four main categories: Classic View, Your View, Urban Life and Black and White
- The winners will be announced on October 18 and will be featured in a book and a touring exhibition
Do you think you have what it takes to scoop a prize in the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year contest?
If you’re a keen snapper and you’ve yet to enter, there’s still time. The competition – which has a £20,000 prize pot – has had its entry date extended by just over a month due to the coronavirus breakout.
The competition is split into four main categories: Classic View, Your View, Urban Life and Black and White. There are also special awards for Landscapes at Night, Changing Landscapes, Lines in the Landscape and Historic Britain.
The winners will be announced on October 18, 2020, and will be featured in the 13th edition of the Landscape Photographer of the Year book as well as being part of an exhibition that will tour the UK, starting in London in mid-November.
The entrant who creates what’s judged to be the single best image, taking into account all four adult categories, will become the Landscape Photographer of the Year 2020 and will win £10,000, with additional cash prizes, from £500 to £1,000, for category winners and runners-up.
The competition is open to anyone of any ability and entrants can submit their content here: www.lpoty.co.uk. Here we take a look at some of the incredible past entries.
This image was taken at Birling Gap in East Sussex in 2016. Photographer Rachael Talibart said: ‘This was taken on a trip to the coast to meet up with fellow members of photography collective Parhelion. When we walked onto the beach, the sunshine was harsh but, as evening approached, the light just kept improving. I wanted a simple foreground as a foil for the dramatic sky so composed to exclude the beach and waited for an isolated wave’
This is an award-winner from 2018, taken by Darryn Kemper at Durdle Door in Dorset. He said: ‘After seeing snow predictions on the forecast, I made the trip to Durdle Door the previous night from Surrey to avoid possible road closures in the morning. I slept the night in my car in minus temperatures in the hopes that I would wake up to something truly magical, and get an image of the iconic location in conditions that may come once in my lifetime. It was all so worth it!’
This stunning image was taken by John Finney in the High Peak of Derbyshire and was an award-winner in 2018. He said: ‘After a difficult journey in the snow, I made it to the top of Mam Tor [a 1,696ft hill], I could hardly stand upright for the blizzards. I decided to make my way down onto the Great Ridge. As the clouds got darker the blizzards got more extreme. I placed the tripod and camera at just the right angle to avoid snow getting onto the lens, and I used a flash gun and a relatively slow shutter speed to highlight the fast motion of the blizzard’
This beautiful image was taken in Honley, West Yorkshire. The photographer said: ‘This was taken in my favourite local woodland. I had been waiting for some time to photograph the heather in the fog. As soon as the conditions were right I headed down there to capture this scene’
This incredible image shows St Paul’s Cathedral crowned by the Blue ‘Super’ Moon of January 2018. The photographer said: ‘There were two full moons in January 2018. The second is known as “Blue Moon” and because it was closer to earth than normal also a Super Moon. I decided to try and get it rising over St Paul’s Cathedral from Waterloo Bridge, and found it moving so quickly that I soon abandoned my tripod and had to support the 500mm lens on the railings as I moved quickly back and forth along the bridge – trying to catch the angle as it passed behind the cross above the famous dome’
This captivating image was taken by Rob Oliver in Newbury, Berkshire. He says: ‘I go walking through the woods and fells and often climb the odd hill or two just for the love of being outside and making images that mean something to me’
This striking image was the Urban View, adult class, winner in 2017 and was taken by George Robertson in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire. He said that he waited for a cold, clear and breezy winter evening to allow him to capture the structures lit up against the early evening sky
This image scooped Neil Burnell first prize and £1,000 in the 2017 Your View category. It was taken at Osea Leisure Park in Essex. Neil said: ‘These unique beach huts on the Blackwater Estuary are a minimalist landscape photographers dream. The stylish huts on stilts are finished in soft pastel colours and are perfect for a clean long exposure, especially on a misty morning’
This image is called Serenity in the Snow and was taken by Jay Birmingham near Tamworth. It received a ‘commended’ from the judges. Jay said: ‘When heavy snow arrived this winter, I knew the shot that I wanted to take. A lone tree I had often passed stands on the ridge of a small hill on farmland not far from Tamworth, my home town. After having to abandon my car because of the slippery roads, I walked the rest of the way and found the conditions I was hoping for, with elements of the ploughed field just visible through the snow creating lines up to the tree, which was silhouetted against the white snow-filled sky. I took a number of pictures, but as I was cleaning snowflakes from my lens, a gull swooped into the shot. I swiftly removed my hand and fired off a few shots. When I looked back, I smiled. The position of the bird was perfect and helped capture the peace and tranquillity of the scene’
This image of raindrops on a washing line, taken with a smartphone in Hertfordshire, was highly commended in the 2018 Your View category. Photographer Peter North said: ‘I was fascinated by the concept of submitting a landscape photo where the main component of the image occupies about 90 per cent of the frame, is completely out of focus and needs a macro approach to make sense of it all! This was one of those chance shots we all encounter from time-to-time and, because I did not have my DSLR with me, was captured with my iPhone’
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'Do not come to Brevard': Florida county bars tourists from hotels to help stop coronavirus spread
Brevard County, Florida, on Thursday implemented a temporarily ban on hotel room rentals to tourists to help guard against the spread of the coronavirus. The ban takes effect Friday, reports Florida Today, which is a part of the USA TODAY Network.
The Brevard County Policy Group — a 10-member panel that convenes when the county is in a state of emergency — unanimously approved banning tourists from renting rooms at local hotels, motels, recreational-vehicle parks, campgrounds or vacation rental facilities for the next 30 days. The restriction also applies to other short-term rentals and other transient rentals, such as time-shares, vacation rentals by owner and Airbnb rentals.
Exceptions will include business travelers who can produce a note from their employer; those who are working in Brevard County; local residents; and residents who need to isolate away from a family member with coronavirus. Those people still would be allowed to rent such lodging facilities.
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Hotels and motels could continue to operate under those restrictions.
The Policy Group action late Thursday follows a recommendation made earlier that afternoon by the Brevard County Commission, in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner John Tobia opposed.
Tobia voted no, contending that there is no provable link between tourists renting hotel rooms in Brevard and local coronavirus cases. Tobia said the county could be opening itself up to a lawsuit by imposing restrictions on private businesses like hotels.
He said he based his views on legal concerns expressed by County Attorney Eden Bentley about whether there is a link that could be proven between tourists and the spread of coronavirus to Brevard residents.
“Benjamin Franklin once said that ‘those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety,” Tobia said after the County Commission meeting. “When confronted with this decision, I asked the director of the Brevard County Health Department whether this taking of liberty was based in science, and she was unable to definitively state that it was. At a time of massive unemployment that will result in devastating consequences, I will not vote to shut down businesses without a compelling and factual basis to do so.”
The Policy Group also unanimously approved a 30-day ban on people being on the county’s spoil islands or sandbar areas along the rivers. Relatively large groups of people congregated on some spoil islands in recent weeks.
The county’s action was taken to help comply with “social distancing” recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the Florida Department of Health
County commissioners had approved the spoil island restriction by the same 4-1 vote, with Tobia opposed. The Policy Group added sandbars to the restriction, fearing people who could not frequent spoil islands would move their parties to the sandbars.
“There is no reason for people to go there and congregate,” County Commission Chair Bryan Lober said during a Facebook Live video message after the County Commission meeting.
Tobia felt that, because the state already is ordering that there not be groups of 10 or more people congregating, it was not the county’s place to ban individuals from the spoil islands.
The Policy Group includes county and municipal government, health, school, public safety and law enforcement officials.
Lober — who also chairs the Policy Group — said violators of the county’s action could be subject to up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, “so it really is not something to be trifled with.”
The county action supplements Gov. Ron DeSantis’ statewide stay-at-home executive order, which takes effect Friday and which the governor is terming “Safer at Home.”
In a presentation to the County Commission, Florida Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, encouraged commissioners to take the local steps it took — and more. Fine called his proposal “Brevard Stay at Home; Visitors, See You Real Soon.”
Fine said anything the county can do to stop the spread of the cornanvirus should be done.
Fine cited national estimates that indicated the best-case scenario is that 100,000 to 200,000 people will die from the coronavirus in the United States, with the worst-case scenario showing 2.2 million deaths.
Extrapolating those figures to the population level of Brevard, Fine said that could mean 200 to 400 deaths in this county under the best-case scenario, and 4,000 deaths in the worst-case scenario.
“Those numbers are very sobering,” said Fine, who was speaking on behalf of Brevard County’s six-person delegation to the Florida Legislature.
Fine also proposed closing Brevard’s beaches to nonresidents or closing them for a few hours a day to everyone; as well as closing the county’s boat ramps to nonresidents.
Brevard now is the only county on Florida’s East Cost where the beaches are open. Brevard has closed its beachside park and beachside parking areas, but the beaches themselves remain open.
Last weekend, five beachside communities implemented 11 a.m.-to-4 p.m. closings of the beaches. Beaches in unincorporated Brevard remained open throughout the weekend.
Now, six beachside communities — Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic and Melbourne Beach — have implemented more wide-ranging restrictions.
They will limit beach activities to walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming during Florida’s 30-day “safer at home” order amid the new coronavirus pandemic.
Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets will not be permitted on the beaches in those communities.
County commissioners took no new action related to the beaches during their 2½-hour meeting on Thursday, but are likely to discuss the issue again in the coming days.
Commissioners also took no action related to a proposal to restrict use of the county’s boat launches to Brevard residents.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey had proposed not formally implementing the restrictions on hotels renting to tourists.
He suggested instead that he and his Brevard County Sheriff’s Office team prepare an announcement to tourists, telling them that they should refrain from coming to Brevard County for the time being.
But county commissioners decided that they wanted something more formal from the commission and the Policy Group.
“The key point here is that it is our intent here to effectively close Brevard County to tourists,” Ivey said during the Facebook video message after the County Commission vote. “Right now, we are asking those that were planning to come here from a tourist perspective to please refrain from doing so. Do not come to Brevard County.”
Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or [email protected] Twitter: @bydaveberman
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: ‘Do not come to Brevard’: Florida county bars tourists from hotels to help stop coronavirus spread
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Disaster in motion: 3.4 million travelers poured into US as COVID-19 pandemic erupted
An ABC News investigation offers sobering insight into how COVID-19 has spread and penetrated so broadly, so deeply and so quickly in the United States. It also helps explain why Americans, no matter where they live, must continue to heed the warnings of health officials to self distance and why the virus likely was here far earlier than first realized.
With the advent of COVID-19, the world has officially entered a dangerous new phase where a surge in international travel in recent decades served as the springboard — jet fuel, really — for an infectious disease potentially to kill hundreds of thousands in the U.S. and infect the global economy at breathtaking speed.
As New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo put it, “I have no doubt that the virus was here much earlier than any of us know, and we have the virus more than any other state because travelers from other parts of the world come here first.”
Travel data of passengers arriving in the United States from China during the critical period in December, January and February, when the disease took hold in that country, shows a stunning 759,493 people entered the U.S.
“This is an astonishing number in a short period of time, illustrating how globalized our world has become. Just as people can hop continents with amazing ease, the infections they carry can too,” said Dr. Vinayak Kumar, an internal medicine resident at the Mayo Clinic and a contributor to the ABC News Medical Unit.
Those travelers from China included more than 228,000 Americans returning home and hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals arriving for business, academics, tourism or to visit family.
“The numbers are clearly alarming,” Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease specialist at South Shore Health, told ABC News. “It shows that globalization is here, and we have to be better prepared to deal with the impact this will have on all our lives in so many ways.”
Added Wildes: “It is difficult to estimate the portion of travelers coming from China to the U.S. with COVID-19, but fair to speculate that a large number might have been infected at the time of travel.”
While the majority of the travelers likely went to major population centers like New York, Seattle or Los Angeles, with so many arriving, any of the hundreds of thousands could have gone anywhere in the U.S.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University said the outbreak could have started as far back as November, and that there may have been hundreds of cases in Wuhan by early December. On Jan. 14, a different team of researchers from the University of Toronto warned that the outbreak could quickly jump from Wuhan to other major cities because of international travel.
President Donald Trump restricted travel from China effective Feb. 2, which likely saved lives. But by the time the president acted, much of the damage had already been unleashed, and some 18,000 Americans returned home from China in February and March, after the restrictions were in place. It’s unclear how intensive, if at all, the screening was for the Americans coming home at that point.
“The United States banned travel to China 12 days after the world heard there was an outbreak of severe pneumonia in Wuhan. … The problem was, it was too late,” said Dr. Todd Ellerin, chief of Infectious Disease at South Shore Health and an ABC News Consultant. “Even though there had only been 12 confirmed cases in the U.S. on the day President Trump announces the travel ban, the reality was there were many more unconfirmed cases.”
The data, gleaned from Commerce Department records and additional information compiled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the request of ABC News, represents the most detailed accounting yet of travelers coming into the U.S. from China and other countries where the virus quickly spread.
ABC News examined data from December, January and February on travelers entering the U.S. from eight of the hardest-hit countries: 343,402 arrived from Italy, 418,848 from Spain and about 1.9 million more came from Britain.
Combined with those from China, that’s more than 3.4 million people from just four countries — nearly half, about 1.5 million, Americans returning home. Travel from Italy and Spain wasn’t shut down until March 13, with U.K. arrivals restricted a few days later.
The data shows how a highly communicable disease can quickly move throughout an interconnected global community, spreading across the globe in a matter of hours. The novel coronavirus was off to the races before the international community knew what had hit it.
“I think this was bound to eventually happen,” Kumar said. “The high volume of international travel, the lack of screening, the inconsistent hand-washing and cough control … these laid down the perfect conditions for a disease to spread. Add that to a virus that is both largely asymptomatic and has a prolonged infectious period, and you have got a perfect storm of factors for a pandemic.”
The world simply wasn’t ready, even though scientists and medical experts had long warned of such a possibility.
“This is not new,” said John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News Consultant. “We’ve seen this with H1N1, SARS, Zika. We should have had the infrastructure to prepare for this. And we didn’t.
“There was a lack of recognition that a coronavirus emerging in a market in Wuhan could be at our door in a matter of months. Now that it’s hitting the U.S., for the first time really, people are aware of the interconnection and risk.”
Medical experts who spoke to ABC News said it can’t be known exactly how many of these travelers were infected or contagious, but that it’s highly likely some portion carried the virus without exhibiting severe symptoms. Minor symptoms, including coughing, sneezing or a runny nose, may have been ignored, leading to people unknowingly spreading COVID-19.
The novel coronavirus “is extra complicated because of mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission, which made it much more difficult to contain,” Brownstein said. “We were caught flat-footed.”
Among the millions of travelers likely were a number of biological ticking time bombs, passengers who’d later infect others at a rate at least double that of the typical flu carrier.
“SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the most disruptive infection the world has seen in the last 100 years, has some features that make it impossible to completely contain,” Ellerin said.
It’s time for governments to rethink how to mitigate the emergence of superbugs, experts told ABC News.
“We should recognize that any time there is an emergent event, there is a very good opportunity for global impact,” Brownstein said. “We need to be thinking about emergent diseases as a global concern rather than [something] happening in a particular part of the world.”
Additionally, there have been questions and criticisms about how quickly China alerted the international community, given the extraordinary scale of travel in and out of the country. Questions also have been raised about the Trump administration’s public stance and early response — was the U.S. aggressive enough early on, given the travel numbers? It’s unclear how closely policymakers and health experts weighed the data — or whether they had access to the data.
Political, business and health leaders now working together to battle COVID-19 risk a repeat of the pandemic without newer, better measures implemented going forward, experts said. That could include more infrastructure, more medical equipment and doctors at airports, new methodologies never before considered necessary: routinely checking passengers’ temperatures, en masse or individually, using quarantine facilities at transportation hubs or storing gloves and masks on planes to be used by people feeling ill.
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Coronavirus-hit cruise ships able to dock in Florida
Two Holland America cruise ships with coronavirus patients aboard were finally allowed to dock at a port near Fort Lauderdale, resolving a days-long impasse that drew the attention of President Donald Trump. Jillian Kitchener has more.
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A 60-second virtual vacation in the Bahamas
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