-
A look at the travel restrictions aimed to combat COVID-19
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementThe Department of State has advised all U.S. citizens to avoid international travel. At the same time, the CDC has urged residents of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut to refrain from domestic travel as much as possible. Almost all regions of the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, which has rightly led most governments to issue strict travel advisories. Quarantines and border restrictions limit traveler mobility, even in places where cases have not been reported.
-
Where it all began: Wuhan Airport reopens after lockdown
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveCOVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei Province of China. As the true scale of the virus and its potential was realized, the city’s Tianhe International Airport was one of the first to close as authorities sought to limit its spread. Now, 11 weeks after it was closed down, the airport has reopened to flights as China begins to see light at the end of the darkness. The first flight to arrive at Wuhan following the airport’s reopening was Xiamen Air’s MF8095 from Hangzhou shortly after 7 a.m. on the morning of April 8.
-
Stimulus package leaves small businesses between reality, theory
Kevin Reynolds Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe normal cacophony emanating out of small coffee shops around the country has been diminished to a whimper these days. The usual customers, 9-to-5 workers rushing to get their fix of caffeine before heading to the office, are either not allowed in or are not coming at all. This is the reality for businesses, particularly small businesses, across America: diminished or nonexistent work, uncertainty and a race to stay afloat. But as weeks pass by, the effects of the stimulus package are still yet to be felt by small business.
-
The danger in believing it ‘won’t happen here’
Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAn enemy like the COVID-19 pandemic recognizes no borders. Yet, the spread of the virus is not occurring at an even level from country to country, or even from state to state in the U.S. While some areas made aggressive, proactive moves, others have been slow to react. I call this phenomenon Won’t Happen Here (WHH) Syndrome. WHH is not limited to pandemics. We see this kind of reaction to natural disasters (including wildfires, hurricanes, or flood), to political unrest, and even to changes in technology or market conditions.
-
Virtual travel in the time of social distancing
Cindy Belt Recreation & LeisureWith the COVID-19 pandemic and the closing of many campgrounds, travel has become very difficult, unwise, or completely restricted. Full-timers are searching for open campgrounds or staying with family and friends for a bit. For the part-time crowd living in states that are not in lockdown, we can occasionally find open campgrounds nearby within a short distance of home base. For those who are confining themselves at home, there are still ways to relieve that itch for travel without going outside. Some ideas include the following.
-
Travel industry steps up with generosity
Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementNot-so-random acts of kindness are in play in the travel industry as the coronavirus has decimated the jobs and stability Americans expect. As Americans try to make sense of it all, major travel industry brands are coming forward with measures of kindness that go a long way. These may be donations to food banks, hospitals or simple ways to relieve burdens or extend benefits.
-
Will Airbnb guests want to stay in chain hotels instead after COVID-19?
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementCOVID-19 has hit the economy so hard that it could take three years for the U.S. to recover. Right now, nobody goes out, and nobody travels. The travel and hospitality industry has been hit the hardest, with mass layoffs and record-low key performance indicators (KPIs). According to STR's lodging report for the week ending on March 28, the industry's KPIs hit "unprecedented lows." For example, revenue per available room (RevPAR) was $18.05, an 80.3% drop from the same week in 2019.
-
Survey: Travelers satisfied with industry management of the pandemic so…
Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementIt’s a very tough time to be a hotel or an airline. However, as travelers and travel suppliers wrangle with the impact the coronavirus crisis is having on their personal and professional lives, a survey conducted by J.D. Power finds that the travel industry is getting positive feedback from consumers who seem to approve of the way these different factions of the travel industry are handling the daily crises at hand. The survey of 1,633 past-year business and/or leisure travelers reveals that 60% believe hoteliers, cruise lines and airlines have shown concern for the health and safety of the traveling public. In general, the more often consumers traveled, the better they felt about the industry’s response to the crisis.
-
6 of America’s newest state parks
Dave G. Houser Recreation & LeisureAmerica is justly famous for its broad array of 400-plus national park sites — but the country's more than 10,000 state parks offer an even greater opportunity for outdoor adventure and recreation. Although many states have temporarily closed their parks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there will be a day in the not-too-distant future when the barriers come down and our urge to get outdoors will be satisfied. So how about someplace new and different? — like one of the country’s half-dozen newest state parks.
-
Virtual events are essential marketing tools for the short and long term
Lisa Mulcahy MarketingDuring the coronavirus outbreak, live events for your brand have obviously been tabled. Planning virtual events, however, can very much be part of your present social/digital marketing strategy — and you may find they work for you in the post-COVID-19 times as well. Virtual events can effectively span the gamut from trade shows, sales environments, conferences and more; you can basically showcase every aspect and facet of your marketing might directly to your customers wherever they are. What key points do you need to keep in mind so you can plan and execute great virtual events? Pay close attention to these 10 smart moves to ensure clarity and great participant reactions.
All Travel, Hospitality & Event Management Articles