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CDC says fully-vaccinated people are safe to travel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its travel guidance for people who are fully vaccinated, and said that "people who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States." The guidance does come with...
New York becomes first state to launch COVID passport for travel & events
New York has become the first state to launch a COVID vaccine passport, for travel, events, and restaurants. Excelsior Pass is a "free, voluntary platform" developed in partnership with IBM, according to a statement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office, "which utilizes...
Alaska Airlines joins oneworld as 14th member
Alaska Airlines has announced it has joined oneworld as the 14th full member of the global alliance. The alliance will allow the airline and its passengers a global network of flights to as many as 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries. With its membership...
What will the events industry look like in the future?
COVID-19 and 2020 has changed the way event planning is handled, but how much of that will continue on after the pandemic is over? Joanne Dennison, Boston University School of Hospitality Administration adjunct professor of hospitality meeting and event planning, and...
![Silversea’s 139-day world cruise sells out on first day [video]](https://travelandeventsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/silversea-cruise-139-day-world-tour-400x250.jpeg)
Silversea’s 139-day world cruise sells out on first day [video]
Silversea Cruises' new 139-day World Cruise 2023 has sold out on the first day of its general opening. The cruise, named "South Side Story - All the World's a Stage," will travel to 66 destinations in 34 countries across five continents. The World Cruise 2023 will...
Travel industry asks White House to set timeline for reopening travel
Leaders in the travel and aviation industries in the United States sent a letter to the Biden administration to come up with a plan to reopen international travel. Twenty-six organizations signed the letter, including the U.S. Travel Association, the American Hotel...
Royal Caribbean will relaunch 3 ships in June, vaccine required
Royal Caribbean has announced a return to cruising in June, but not for everyone. The cruise line, as well as sister cruise line Celebrity Cruises, will require COVID vaccines for all adult passengers and crew members. Passengers under 18 will be required to provide a...
Iceland begins to accept all vaccinated travelers
Iceland has announced they will begin accepting foreign travelers beginning March 18, 2021 — with a certificate of vaccination for COVID-19. The requirements mean travelers who have been vaccinated will be able to travel to Iceland without a PCR test and quarantine,...
Nevada is allowing 50 percent capacity for large events, with approved plan
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced that, as of March 15, the allowable capacity for large gatherings of more than 250 people will increase to 50 percent capacity — up from 20 percent that was announced in February of 2021. The 50 percent limit outlined in...
British Airways rolls out COVID-19 document trial on their website
British Airways is starting a trial for document certification for travelers. Travelers will be able to upload their negative COVID-19 test results and other travel declaration forms, including a vaccination form, directly to a portal on British Airways' website...
IATA: Increased confidence in travel, support for Travel Pass
Recent travelers are gaining confidence in returning to air travel, according to a recent poll by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The poll, which asked travelers about confidence in a return to air travel, frustration with current travel...
Hilton Grand Vacations to acquire Diamond Resorts
Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) has announced they will acquire Diamond Resorts International (DRI), which is managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management. HGV said the acquisition is expected to combine the brand and culture of Hilton Grand Vacations with Diamond,...
Travel brand KAYAK to open first hotel, in Miami Beach
KAYAK is planning to open their first hotel this year. The KAYAK Miami Beach is expected to open in April 2021. The company, which is a big name in the travel search industry, was founded in 2004 and has not yet ventured into the hotel owner field. “We see a big...
Hyatt Hotels launching Global Franchise and Owner Relations organization
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced a new Global Franchise and Owner Relations organization to help owners and operators improve guest relations and experience. The organization will create a key stakeholder group with the goal of expanding Hyatt's franchise...
JetBlue founder to launch new airline
The United States Transportation Department granted approval for a new airline, Breeze Aviation Group, by the founder of JetBlue Airways. Breeze Aviation has up to one year to begin flights, with up to 22 planes. According to the Associated Press, the company plans to...
Canada bans large cruise lines through February 2022
Canada has announced a ban on cruise ships, with a few exceptions. The restrictions will ban all cruise ships with more than 100 passengers through Canadian waters, including the Canadian arctic, through Feb. 28, 2022. Canadian minister of transport Omar Alghabra made...
Venues & event promoters may be eligible for new SBA grant
Although the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was meant to help businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, a new grant program is specifically looking to help venue operators. The Small Business Administration (SBA) set aside $15 billion from the latest stimulus for...
Low-cost high speed rail will take passengers from Madrid to Barcelona
Spain is expanding their high-speed rail service with the addition of new lines on the Spanish state operator Renfe's low-cost, high-speed rail service Avlo. The new line will take passengers 300 miles (or 500 kilometers) between Madrid and Barcelona in less than...
Marriott to open more than 100 new Asia Pacific hotels in 2021
Marriott International is expanding their presence in the Asia Pacific, with 100 hotels expected to open in the area in 2021. In 2020, the brand opened 75 properties in the region. “I am proud of the way we have continued to grow and have moved quickly to adapt to the...
Hyatt to offer free COVID-19 testing at Latin American resorts
Hyatt Hotels has announced that they will offer free on-site COVID-19 testing at all their Latin American resorts through May 31, 2021. The tests will be offered to guests traveling to the United States after their stay. The offer is for 19 Hyatt resorts in Mexico,...
Rocky Mountain National Park considering permanent limited entry
Rocky Mountain National Park has learned a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is rethinking how to deal with the overcrowding they have been seeing for years. The park, located in Colorado, had implemented a time-entry reservation system in 2020 to promote social...
Marriott implements new safety procedures to allow for events
Marriott International has announced a series of health protocol options to help event planners and guests into 2021. Those options include COVID-19 testing for groups and events, beginning in January 2021. Marriott recently announced their Connect with Confidence...
Most Disney properties to remain closed, for the time being
Most Disney theme parks are staying closed for the foreseeable future, with Walt Disney World in Florida the only one to open so far. Disneyland in California has been closed for nearly 10 months, with no immediate plans to reopen, and Disneyland Paris just announced...
Royal Caribbean sells Azamara to private equity firm
Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to sell their Azamara brand to a private equity firm, Sycamore Partners. "Royal Caribbean Group will work closely with Sycamore Partners to ensure a seamless transition of services as we move through this process, and you should expect...
More hotels & venues receiving GBAC accreditation, helping them hold safe in-person events
A new certificate program is helping to rank event venues who are providing safe spaces during the COVID-19 crisis. The Global BioRisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a subset of ISSA, has been working with events venues to work through their cleanliness and safety...
CDC to require negative COVID test for all travelers to the U.S., including U.S. citizens
Air travelers arriving to the United States from foreign destinations will now need to show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arriving back in the country, including U.S. citizens (ages 2 and older). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made...
Delta Airlines will no longer allow emotional support animals on flights
Delta Airlines has stopped accepting emotional support animals on their flights, and will now only accept Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved service animals. In December, DOT ruled that airline carriers are no longer required to recognize emotional support...
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Most Disney properties to remain closed, for the time being
Most Disney theme parks are staying closed for the foreseeable future, with Walt Disney World in Florida the only one to open so far. Disneyland in California has been closed for nearly 10 months, with no immediate plans to reopen, and Disneyland Paris just announced...
Royal Caribbean sells Azamara to private equity firm
Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to sell their Azamara brand to a private equity firm, Sycamore Partners. "Royal Caribbean Group will work closely with Sycamore Partners to ensure a seamless transition of services as we move through this process, and you should expect...
More hotels & venues receiving GBAC accreditation, helping them hold safe in-person events
A new certificate program is helping to rank event venues who are providing safe spaces during the COVID-19 crisis. The Global BioRisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a subset of ISSA, has been working with events venues to work through their cleanliness and safety...
CDC to require negative COVID test for all travelers to the U.S., including U.S. citizens
Air travelers arriving to the United States from foreign destinations will now need to show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arriving back in the country, including U.S. citizens (ages 2 and older). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made...
Delta Airlines will no longer allow emotional support animals on flights
Delta Airlines has stopped accepting emotional support animals on their flights, and will now only accept Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved service animals. In December, DOT ruled that airline carriers are no longer required to recognize emotional support...
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