● Here’s a Skift item that focuses on a domestic issue –one that also has ramifications for inbound overseas traffic:” the rising price of oil is threatening the travel industry’s rebound, with the increase, causing airlines to pass their surging fuel bills on to consumers, as well as forcing U.S. travelers to alter their summer vacation plans. It’s also making tour operators ponder increasing the price of their trips to compensate for booming fuel experiences, which companies that still haven’t fully recovered from the pandemic are hesitant to do to avoiding denting travel demand.” Click here to access the complete article.
● Could Japan open up next month? Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida has suggested that that the country is preparing, finally, to reopen to international visitors starting in June. According to an account in the trade publication, TTG, during a speech in London on last Thursday, Kishida said: “We have now eased border control measures significantly, with the next easing taking place in June, when Japan will introduce a smoother entry process similar to that of other G7 members.” Read the complete article here.
● After ten years of operations in the country, The Travel Corporation (TTC) announced that it was closing its office in Brazil at the end of April. Since establishing itself in São Paulo (the de facto capital of the Brazilian economy) the company has brought in new travel concepts – from luxurious river cruises to itineraries exclusively for young people. Some of its brands include Contiki Tours, Uniworld River Cruises and Red Carnation Hotels.
● From a recent article in Travel Weekly (UK): “A Kantar TGI survey in April found 16 percent of UK adults have already booked their main summer holiday this year and 20 percent plan to book – of whom 78 percent plan to go abroad – despite three quarters being “worried about the rising price of life” (77 percent) and repercussions of the war in Ukraine (75 percent), and 41 percent being unable to afford their energy bills.” Read the complete article here.
● From TravelMole … a story that seems to be getting legs: “The passport processing bottleneck could cost Britons £1.1 billion ($1.39 billion) in cancelled trips this summer.” New research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research says it leaves ‘one million holidaymakers at risk due to the delays.’ Data from the VisitBritain Covid-19 Consumer Sentiment Tracker shows that more than two in five are planning an overseas trip in the coming 12 months,” the Centre said. It projects only 50 percent of people will have ‘successful and timely’ passport renewals. Due to demand, the Passport Office warned travelers to apply 10 weeks in advance. Here is the article.
● Travelers Canada, the Canadian division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. has announced the results of the 2022 Travelers Canada Distracted Driving Risk Survey, revealing that most Canadians—a market that travels overwhelmingly by auto—engage in dangerous behaviors behind the wheel despite knowing the associated risks. While 77 per cent of Canadians say that distracted driving is very risky and they take every step possible to avoid being distracted, half of respondents admit to talking or using a phone while driving. Notably, one in five drivers admit they have had a crash, collision or near miss because they were distracted.” Work-related pressures may also be contributing to distracted driving. According to the survey, 29 per cent of Canadians say they respond to work-related calls, texts or emails while driving. Reasons cited include concern that it might be a work emergency (44 percent), feeling the need to always be available (30 percent) and worrying that they will miss something important (28 percent). Read the complete release here.
● Big transatlantic expansion plans now being implemented by United Airlines. The airline will launch or resume 30 transatlantic flights between mid-April and early June to destinations including the UK, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and France. New daily flights between Boston and Heathrow began on April 14, adding to United’s non-stop services to Heathrow from its seven hubs. The carrier’s transatlantic route network will be more than 25 larger than it was in 2019. “We have long anticipated a strong demand recovery, evidenced by our large, strategic expansion in Europe, and with these new flights, we’re proud to offer our customers more options and access than ever before,” said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances. (Multiple sources)
