Tourism Recovery Gains Momentum as Restrictions Ease and Confidence Returns

Nearly 600 days after Australia closed its international borders, Qantas commercial passenger flights have taken to the skies to reconnect Australia to the rest of the world.

Asian luxury small-ship operator Pandaw has ceased its river cruise operations citing the continuing impact of COVID-19.

Virtuoso Chairman and CEO, Matthew Upchurch, delivered a message of hope and opportunity to attendees at the Opening Ceremony of the 2021 Virtuoso Travel Week held in Las Vegas.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain has weighed in on the debate around COVID-19 lockdowns, referring to the measures as “not a viable long-term practice in a free society”.

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, welcoming the support for travel agents in NSW and Victoria but asking for wider support for all travel advisors.

Affluent travellers across Asia Pacific are looking for deeper and more comprehensive relationships with their travel advisors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, research presented to ILTM Asia Pacific Virtual delegates this week indicates.

The coronavirus’ path of destruction that led to a dramatically diminished skilled travel agent workforce is about to be realised by consumers.