Testing in Halifax and a Delta Pilot Recall: Jim Byers’ “Signs of Hope” Travel Blog

January 26, 2021 Jim Byers

There’s a lot of doom and gloom in travel right now; closed borders, rumours of closed borders, new, more deadly variants of the coronavirus. But there also is some good news on the horizon, including pilot recalls, COVID-testing in Nova Scotia and a new survey of American travel attitudes. Here’s my “Signs of Hope” travel blog for today.

DELTA PILOTS HEADING BACK TO WORK

You can’t fly without folks in the cockpit, so it’s good news that Delta is bringing back 400 pilots.  CNBC reports that Delta “is planning to bring hundreds of its pilots back by this summer as the airline seeks to position itself for a rebound in travel demand.”

HOTELIERS OPTIMISTIC – BUT UNSURE OF TIMING

In a story posted at costar.com, Marriott International President and CEO Arne Sorenson said coming vaccines make him optimistic about the future for the hotel industry.

“We know it’s coming,” he said. “We know we can be optimistic, but we don’t know whether it’s a couple of months from now or six months from now, and that’s the name of the game now.”

NOVA SCOTIA VOLUNTEERS DOING RAPID TESTS

Here’s a nice item from today’s Globe and Mail.

“Downtown Halifax’s restaurants and bars have become home to volunteers offering rapid COVID-19 tests so patrons can socialize with some assurance they are free of the virus, an experiment that is giving a window into what a new normal could look like.

Since the pop-up clinics launched in Nova Scotia in December, just a handful of the nearly 14,000 people who have been tested were confirmed to have COVID-19. Public-health officials in Nova Scotia see even that low rate as a success: Fifteen people who were asymptomatic – and likely shedding the virus – did not end up inadvertently spreading COVID-19 in their community. As well, by testing asymptomatic individuals, the province is gaining an early warning system for potential outbreaks.”

ENCOURAGING STUDY OF AMERICAN TRAVELLERS

According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travellers, 70% of them say a vaccine will have an impact on their upcoming travel plans. This as traveller optimism about future travel is slowly growing. In November, 77% said they were changing their travel plans because of COVID-19. That percentage has steadily declined to 68% in the most recent survey. 

Vaccines have been slow to roll out in Canada, but federal officials say things will speed up in March or April, which might allow any tough, new travel restrictions coming down the pike to be loosened for the spring.

It does look very much like the U.S. is ahead of us on the vaccine front. President Joe Biden on Monday said any American who wants a vaccination by spring can get one, and that he feels confident that the States will be “well on our way to her immunity” by summer.

“The arrival of coronavirus vaccines is a game-changer for future travel in the U.S.”, said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “We expect the pace of the travel industry recovery to be directly linked to speed that vaccinations drive down cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the pandemic.”  

The percentage of American travellers who feel comfortable traveling outside their communities has steadily improved, from 39% in mid-November to 46% in mid-January. Similarly, 32% supported opening up their communities to visitors in mid-November, while that support has increased to 41% in the most recent data. 

NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY

Canadians may be looking at a travel ban, but the U.S. today is celebrating National Plan for a Vacation Day.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, 97% of Americans who have a trip planned experience more joy, happiness and alleviated stress. U.S. Travel’s National Plan for Vacation Day on January 26 is the perfect opportunity to think ahead, spark wanderlust and make plans for a future trip.  

“With the travel environment continuously changing, just the simple act of planning for your next getaway enhances health and happiness,” said Julius Robinson, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, U.S. and Canada, Marriott International. “Recent U.S. Travel Association data shows that 63% of people desperately need a vacation. Now is a great time to get inspired by the exceptional destinations and experiences Marriott has to offer – whenever and wherever that next trip may be.” 

Marriott is inspiring travelers to get ready to “press play” on travel when the time is right, with beautiful destinations, flexible travel policies and an abundance of resources to make planning part of the excitement for the journey ahead. Marriott’s Commitment to Clean, with its enhanced safety protocols and cleaning standards, helps travelers feel even more confident planning their next adventure. 

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