Travel's Reopening and Coronavirus Recovery

The latest news about coronavirus recovery around the world and the reopening of travel and tourism in destinations around the world.

Skift Research subscribers can view the latest data about country-by-country recovery at the Skift Recovery Index. Data about public companies can be viewed at the Skift Health Score.

Tourism

Hong Kong Cuts Hotel Quarantine for Incoming Travelers to 3 Days

While the shortening of quarantine time is significant, what Hong Kong really needs is quarantine-free travel to reconnect the Asian financial hub with the rest of the world.

Jessie Pang and Donny Kwok, Reuters | 7 days ago

Tourism

A Brazil Proposal to Privatize Beaches for Hotels and Developers Roils Locals

Brazil is utilizing privatization to grow its tourism infrastructure. On privatizing sections of beachfront, it runs the risk of building a tourism industry that can’t sustain itself if it doesn’t take into account the input of local communities.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

Visa Wait Times Put Drag on U.S. International Travel Recovery

One more impact of the global labor shortage is the protracted wait time for visas that will continue to hurt the U.S.'s international tourism recovery if quick solutions aren't found.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

Lebanon Turns to Its Expats to Resurrect Tourism Economy

Lebanon does know that its diaspora is essential to help revive the country's tourism economy, but the government would need to do more than just roll out marketing campaigns to convince more tourists to visit the country.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

New Zealand Fully Reopens Borders to Tourists For the First Time in Two Years

August is off to a great start as New Zealand has finally reopened its borders fully after March 2020. However, travelers would still need to take two tests after arriving — not too much to ask, considering it’s New Zealand.

Lucy Craymer, Reuters | 2 weeks ago

Cruises

Royal Caribbean’s Rebound Continues as Passengers Splurge on the Extras

Royal Caribbean's prediction that inflation wouldn't be an obstacle to its rebound has proven right so far. With the recent end of the CDC's cruise ship Covid tracker, the future looks much brighter for Royal Caribbean's rebound after a rough two years.

Praveen Paramasivam and Doyinsola Oladipo, Reuters | 2 weeks ago

Airlines

Southwest Needs a Strong Business Travel Return After June’s Leisure Peak

For most U.S. airlines, June was the best revenue month in a very long time. But don't mistake that for a sustained recovery. The situation is dicey. It's not clear whether this recovery can continue for the final three months of the year.

Brian Sumers | 2 weeks ago

Online Travel

MakeMyTrip Turns to India’s Hinterlands in the First Quarter to Win New Customers

MakeMyTrip is moving its focus from retail customers to go deep into the hinterland by tapping into small travel agents across India. In a country where online penetration is still low, will this bet pay off?

Peden Doma Bhutia | 3 weeks ago

Hotels

Asian Hotels Look to 2-Tier Pricing for Recovery

Twin rates for foreign travelers and locals in Asian hotels may be a temporary solution to help the hospitality industry recover, but it may not be sustainable in the long run, especially for economies highly dependent on tourism.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 3 weeks ago

Airlines

United Airlines CEO Warns of Choppiness Affecting Recovery

Demand for summer air travel is sky-high. But let's be honest, these are still uncertain times. The airline recovery might continue to grow in a linear way. But it also might zig and zag. There's no guarantee the good times will last through the fall and winter.

Brian Sumers | 3 weeks ago