Category: America

For travel lovers stuck at home looking for a virtual positive break, Visit Orlando has compiled a list of 20-plus virtual thrills including 360-degree online experiences, new Facebook Live broadcasts, live streamings of special films and YouTube videos. “We recognize that now, more than ever, we all want to escape from reality, even if it’s just for a moment,” said George Aguel, President & CEO of Visit Orlando. “Whether you like floating down a lazy river in one of our resort pools or immersing yourself into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we hope these experiences provide a much-needed break ... Read more

United Airlines is partnering with New York City to provide free round-trip flights for medical volunteers who want to help in the frontline fight against the COVID-19 crisis. The airline is working closely with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and a network of medical volunteer organizations, including The Society of Critical Care Medicine, to coordinate travel for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals from across the country to help treat patients, in this time of unprecedented need. “Our healthcare workers are heroes, and they need reinforcements,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This generous partnership ... Read more

Legoland New York Resort and parent company Merlin Entertainments regret to announce the postponement of its new resort launch until 2021. The measure is consistent with the closure of venues and postponement of events worldwide, due to the corona pandemic. “Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety and security of our team, the partners we work with, and the communities we serve,” said Legoland New York Resort Divisional Director Stephanie Johnson. “We are in an unprecedented situation that has affected businesses worldwide. By opening Legoland New York Resort in 2021 we are building an attraction that not ... Read more

Prominent entertainment firms have partnered with Crystal Lagoons, to come up with 16 projects across the United States, known as Crystal Lagoons Island Resorts. The first project will be in Arizona. Crystal Lagoons is a multinational company with its US headquarters in Miami and offices in Dallas and Los Angeles, that has developed an innovative concept and technology, patented in 190 countries, allowing for the construction and maintenance of unlimited size of water bodies in crystalline conditions at low cost. The development will unite Universal Music Group, the world’s leading record label; Epic, the multinational entertainment company; Point Cloud, the ... Read more

The Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan will provide free rooms to doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. The luxury hotel, where rooms typically top $1,000 a night, has closed itself to other guests and is not taking new bookings through April 15, according to its website. “Many of those working in New York City have to travel long distances to and from their homes after putting in 18-hour days,” said Ty Warner, the founder and chairman of Ty Warner Hotels and Resorts, which owns the property. “They need a place close to work where they can rest and regenerate.” Governor ... Read more

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and ESJ Resort LLC has announced the signing of an agreement for the former to assume the management of El San Juan Hotel, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The property will join the globally renowned Fairmont portfolio of luxury hotels, as Fairmont El San Juan Hotel. “El San Juan Hotel is proud to welcome the global hospitality group Accor and its luxury Fairmont brand to Puerto Rico. Both El San Juan and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts share a distinguished international reputation and unparalleled history of service excellence. In joining together these iconic brands, we look forward ... Read more

Alaska Airlines has announced plans to reduce its flight schedule for April and May by approximately 70% following historic and unprecedented falloff in demand related to the COVID-19 outbreak across the U.S. and beyond. Flight schedules for June and beyond will be based on demand, but it is our expectation that reductions will be substantial for at least the next several months. As a result of the outbreak, government leaders across the country have appropriately encouraged social distancing and discouraged or restricted travel. As a result, Alaska – like other airlines – is seeing demand reductions of more than 80%. ... Read more

Hyatt Hotels has announced furloughs and pay cuts as the hotel industry reels from the corona virus pandemic. Hyatt on Wednesday said the pay cuts would affect all of its employees from April 1 through May 31. The company did not provide details on the amount of the pay cuts. The company will also impose temporary furloughs or significantly cut the schedules of two-thirds of its U.S. corporate employees. The chain had about 55,000 employees at the end of 2019, according to its annual report. Given the financial impact on our business, we have had to make difficult decisions that ... Read more

Indian-American hoteliers have come to the rescue of Indian students in the US. Many Indian students are left stranded following lockdown measures in the country, following the coronavirus pandemic. The hoteliers are providing a great help to these students by offering them free accommodation and meals. Many of the students have been asked to vacate their hostels and with India banning international flights for a week from March 22, more than 6,000 rooms in nearly 700 hotels were offered to them by Wednesday following a call from the Indian Embassy. The Indian Embassy have been running a round-the-clock helpline since ... Read more

Furloughed Hilton employees in the US will be given direct access to an online resource centre and expedited hiring processes at other companies. The global hotel chain has been forced to suspend services across US due to the corona virus pandemic. The company has approximately 60,000 direct employees in its corporate offices and hotels in US and 200,000 more through franchise hotels. While in furlough, employees continue to receive health benefits from Hilton and also get to apply for unemployment benefits. With the joint initiative to find temporary workers for its furloughed employees, the company hopes that its workers will ... Read more

Airplane manufacturer Boeing has said it would halt production at its Washington state factory for two weeks due to the accelerating spread of the corona virus in the region. Boeing plans to reduce production this week and will suspend all operations on March 25 for 14 days. During this period, the company will be conducting deep cleaning activities at impacted sites. Employees will continue to work from home if they can, and those who can’t will receive paid leave for 10 days. “Critical distribution operations in support of airline, government, and maintenance, repair and overhaul customers will continue,” Boeing said ... Read more

Wild Florida’s Drive-thru Safari Park will remain open as it operates in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations for social distancing. In the drive-thru safari park, guests can ride in their own car and identify more than 100 native and exotic animals from the comfort and safety of their own car. This experience is hands-free, as guests can book online, check-in and ride through without any human contact. Regarding other opportunities in the attraction, Wild Florida will temporarily suspend all of its air-boat tours and animal encounters while also closing ... Read more

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the US-Canada border to all non-essential travel in an attempt to curb the spread of corona virus. There is significant border crossing between the two neighbouring countries on the daily basis, with great tourist attractions on either side. “We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our northern border with Canada,” Trump tweeted. He said trade would not be affected. Both countries had already issued sweeping travel bans but had maintained exemptions for each other. Canada relies on the US for approximately 75% of its exports. ... Read more

Whether you are in a hotel room, at your desk, in an RV, or by a campfire, it can be difficult to get a good cup of coffee away from home. With the holiday travel season in full swing, travelers are wondering how best to enjoy their morning java while on the go.Most away-from-home coffee options have major drawbacks. Hotel room coffee makers are convenient and cheap, but the coffee they brew means a major compromise on taste. Local cafes often offer good coffee, but the cost of all those to-go cups can really add up. Existing travel coffee presses ... Read more

An association representing all the major American airlines has sought a $50 billion bailout package, even as the White House looks to draft a financial assistance package to help the industry. Travel demand in the US has fallen steeply following the corona virus outbreak, bringing the airline industry to its knees. Airlines for America, the association representing many of the US carriers, has said that without timely action all airlines will run out of money by year-end. The association has said the industry needs $25 billion in grants, $25 billion loans and significant tax relief to keep its head above ... Read more