Travel News November/December 2020 Air Canada Rouge Returns to


the Skies T


HE departure of Air Canada flight AC1810 from Toronto to Cancun marked the return of Air Canada Rouge to the skies


“Air Canada Rouge remains an important part


of our overall strategy in rebuilding Air Canada’s global network. As leisure traffic resumes, we will progressively add Air Canada Rouge to select North American leisure markets from Eastern Canada,” said Mark Galardo, Vice President, Network Planning and Alliances at Air Canada. Air Canada Rouge flights are operated with narrow-


body Airbus aircraft featuring a choice of Premium Rouge and Economy services. Customers travelling in the Premium Rouge cabin will be offered a complimentary, pre-packaged meal curated by celebrated Montreal chef Antonio Park with complimentary bar and beverage service. All customers onboard Rouge flights will have access to complementary in-flight entertainment that is streamed right to their personal smartphone or device of choice without the requirement to download an app. Premium Rouge customers will also be offered the complimentary use of sanitised iPads containing entertainment content. All flights are operated using the Air Canada CleanCare+ suite of biosafety measures. Customers can collect and redeem Aeroplan points through Canada’s leading loyalty program when travelling and eligible customers have access to priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounges, priority boarding and other benefits.


UPDATES 5


Algarve Recognised as Europe’s Leading Beach Destination in 2020 by the World Travel Awards


THE Algarve is once again distinguished as the “Leading Beach Destination in Europe”, in the 2020 edition of the World Travel Awards. This is the seventh (and sixth consecutive) time that


the destination wins the nomination from leaders of the tourism and travel industry from around the world, who annually participate in this initiative and vote to reward the best tourism offer at a global level. Turismo do Algarve considers that the distinction


achieved this year is of particular importance. “In a year as troubled as 2020, receiving this award and continuing to earn the trust of travellers from all over the world is extremely rewarding. This distinction recognises not only the quality of our beaches and our offer, but also shows that the Algarve continues to be a safe destination for holidays, with tranquillity and complies with public health protection rules”, says João Fernandes, president of Turismo do Algarve. The Algarve was one of the first European


regions to open its beaches in 2020, guaranteeing all safety conditions. “Strengthening the security of the destination and regaining the confidence of tourists has been our priority since the beginning of the pandemic”, explains João Fernandes. “There was a great mobilisation and a joint effort by the whole region in this regard, which proved to be essential to consolidate and transmit an image of confidence. Receiving this international distinction thus validates all that work and proves that the destination can adapt to new circumstances, without altering the quality and authenticity of experiences for tourists. “The beauty and diversity of the beaches in the


Air Canada Rouge is an important part of rebuilding global network Israel Tourism Receives Green Light for ‘Green Tourism Islands’


SWISS The Israel Ministry of Tourism’s initiative to define the resort city of Eilat and the hotels area of Ein Bokek-Hamei Zohar at the Dead Sea as ‘green tourism islands’, which was approved on Sunday 25th October by the cabinet, passed its first reading in the Knesset plenum the following day. According to the outline, the coronavirus cabinet


will be allowed to declare the city of Eilat and the Dead Sea hotel complex as ‘special tourism area’. Entry into the green tourist areas by domestic travellers will be conditional on the presentation of an up-to-date negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from the virus.


The outline will allow the opening of hotels in these


areas, while adhering to Ministry of Health guidelines and assuming that there is a continued low level of morbidity in the areas. At a later stage and gradually, businesses in these areas which serve hotel guests will also be allowed to re-open. Discussions on the initiative, including the logistics


of presenting negative COVID-19 tests, will be discussed further in the Knesset Legislative Committee scheduled to meet on Monday 2nd November. When agreement has been reached, the bill must pass a second and third reading in the Knesset plenum, which could


The Company, which specialises in luxury all-inclusive Caribbean holidays, analysed data from bookings made in an eight-week period from 26th August to 20th October 2020. Over a third of all bookings (35%) were departing within three months of the booking date – up from 16% in the same period in 2019. 19% of bookings made during this period in 2020 were for trips departing within just 31 days. Karl Thompson, Managing Director of Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd. (UCHL), says: “It comes as no surprise to us that the volume of late business that we’re picking up has increased dramatically this Autumn. “With travel corridors in place to some of our key


SWISS International Air Lines (SWISS) has earned a further top award – its 14th – from Business Traveller magazine. The latest such distinction for The Airline of Switzerland is another first place in the ‘Best Airline for Business Travellers in Europe’ category. The awards are based on a survey of over 3,000 individuals. “We are very pleased to have earned this prestigious


be as early as next week. If there are no additional conditions, and morbidity rates remain low in these areas, the hotels are expected to re-open in Eilat and the Dead Sea immediately after the approval of the bill. Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Minister of Tourism, said:


“The green tourism islands outline approved by the government is the result of a very complex dialogue with the Ministry of Health and a great effort to bring this before the government to get it moving. The outline gives an immediate response to thirty percent of the tourism industry, in special geographical areas of Israel – Eilat and the Dead Sea. “The government approval is only the first stage.


There needs to be more legislation in the Knesset and the development of a complex mechanism that can be put into practice. We are working, among others, with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the heads of local authorities and the testing frameworks. Nonetheless, there is no doubt in my eyes that this process is not a replacement for the need to open and rehabilitate the entire tourism industry and the immediate opening of rural tourism in Israel.” As well as the gradual re-opening of Israel’s domestic


tourism industry, the country is also opening up business travel to foreign nationals under specified


Sandals Resorts Reports a Third of 2020 Business is Late Bookings


destinations including St, Lucia, Antigua, Grenada and Barbados, customers are booking last minute holidays to get away before any further travel restrictions or lockdowns might be imposed. “Getting a PCR test before travelling is fast becoming the norm and many people see this as a small price to pay to be able to go on holiday with their loved one and enjoy some happy, quality time together in the sunshine.” Unique Caribbean Holidays also reported an


increase in duration of 2020 trips by 16% compared to the previous year, a sign that holidaymakers are determined to make the most of their time overseas when they can travel.


SWISS Named Best Airline for Business Travellers in Europe


distinction in what is for us a key customer segment,” says SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Tamur Goudarzi Pour. “And we see it first and foremost as a tribute to all our people at SWISS who continue to do such outstanding work in these highly challenging times – be it behind the scenes or in direct contact with our customers.”


conditions. Entry to Israel by foreign nationals has been prohibited since March 2020, however foreign business travellers from ‘green countries’ will now be able to submit a request to travel to Israel for business purposes, should their work for Israeli companies be vital to the economy.


Algarve, the year-round sunshine and the perfect conditions for water sports are the characteristics most valued by visitors. In addition the region boasts 87 blue flag beaches; 48 beaches with the necessary accessibility for people with disabilities; the implementation of good environmental practices with regard to the cleaning and preservation of the beaches and the availability of good quality infrastructures and support services. “It is a combination of all these attributes, that has


led to the Algarve being distinguished, over the last few years, as ‘Leading Beach Destination in Europe’.”


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