Thursday 20 April 2017

Trump and the impact on travel - 100 days

A vanishing sight in USA skies...

Sigh. Has it really been just 100 days? Amid the chaos, accusations and flip-flops, there appears to be no good travel news arising out of the Trump (unoccupied) White House. A few highlights (lowlights):


What Trump’s First 100 Days Tell Us About Travel’s Next Four Years - Skift

Trump’s first few months in office... have dispelled the notion that his administration would be tourism and tourist friendly. Following one failed travel ban executive order, with another still tied up in the appeals process, the tenor has changed completely... [read the story]

Emirates Reduces US Flights Due to Trump Travel Policies - Travel Pulse

One day after the president of Qatar Airways told CNN that the ban on carry-on electronics was “not necessary to frighten passengers,” Emirates has announced that it will reduce U.S. flights due to the Trump administration's restrictive policies. “This is a commercial decision in response to weakened travel demand to US"... [read the story]

More Singaporean travellers giving US a miss, say travel agents - The New Paper

For the first time in 38 years, Sino-America (SA) Tours has had no confirmed group booking for all three of its US tour packages. Most US tour packages for June are usually booked by February, and SA Tours has stopped advertising them. SA Tours was among five travel agencies that (have) seen a fall in demand for US tour packages.... [read the story]

Trump's travel policies hurting 'U.S. brand' and discouraging tourists - CNN Money

One study forecasts a 10.6 million decline in visitors this year and next. The drop -- nearly 7% of expected travelers -- will cost the U.S. economy more than $18 billion and about 107,000 jobs, according to Tourism Economics, a forecasting firm used by the industry. More than half of the lost business will be caused by reduced travel from Canada and Mexico. But experts say they are concerned about tourism declines from the U.K. and western Europe as well... [read the story]

Mexican tourists don't want to visit Trump's America. It will cost us billions - LA Times

Tourism Economics, a global research firm, estimates that lost visits from Mexico to the U.S. this year will total 1.8 million... with direct economic loss of $1.1 billion. The firm estimates that Mexico-to-U.S. travel will diminish even further in 2018, with 2.6 million lost visits and direct economic losses totaling $1.6 billion... [read the story]

Make no mistake: the new travel ban is targeting LGBT people - 100 Days and Me

President Trump’s new travel ban... restricts the total number of refugees admitted to the U.S. to 50,000 per year. The fact is that this new executive order will bar thousands of LGBT and HIV-positive people from seeking refuge in the United States. This order and the political climate regarding immigration has dashed the hopes of LGBT people fleeing persecution in some of the countries in which they face the worst abuse and discrimination... [read the story]

Top lawyers say Trump travel ban would have 'chilling' effect on tourism - WSAZ

The top attorneys from 16 states and (DC) say President Donald Trump's revised travel ban would hurt their higher education and medical institutions and have a chilling effect on tourism. The attorneys general (seek) ... to uphold a ruling that blocked the travel ban targeting six predominantly Muslim countries. The full 4th Circuit will hear arguments in the case May 8... [read the story]

Tourism officials watch for political turmoil that could keep international visitors away - Concord Monitor

New Hampshire tourism officials... have a concern that we’re going to see a dip from our key markets, which would be the United Kingdom and Germany... [read the story]


Related resources
Trump and the impact on travel - Travel bloggers
Trump and the impact on travel - News stories
Trump fallout - from Uber to F1
Donald Trump was a 'bully' when he sued a tiny travel agency in 1989

Suggested reading
Brexit and the impact on travel - travel bloggers
Brexit and the impact on travel - new stories
Headed to one of the 10 most dreaded airports (2016)
Death by selfie

Monday 10 April 2017

BC airport news

Vancouver International Airport wins top award, again!
Lots of good news airport stories from our neck of the woods...

Oliver gets new Kelowna and Penticton Airport transfer options
There was good news this week for Oliver residents. Ogopogo Valley Tours Inc. will provide airport shuttle service to Penticton Airport and Kelowna Airport, reducing the cost and increasing the convenience of fly-in visits to British Columbia's South Okanagan region... [read the full story].

YVR named #1 in North America - for 8th consecutive year!
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) s the first and only airport to be voted Best Airport in North America for the eighth consecutive year. The Skytrax World Airport Awards are recognized as the global benchmark of airport excellence. The on-site Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel was also voted Best Airport Hotel in North America... [read the full story].

BC airport infrastructure investment projects announced
Things are looking up at 20 British Columbia regional airports, thanks to a $10M investment from the BC Air Access Program. This year's recipients include Anahim Lake, Bella Coola, Chetwynd, Cranbrook, Fairmont Hot Springs, Grand Forks, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Osoyoos, Pemberton, Pitt Meadows, Port Alberni, Powell River, Prince George, Salmon Arm, Smithers, Valemount, Vernon and Williams Lake... [read the press release].

Related resources
What does the future hold for Vancouver International? - International Airport Review
Fly-away falcon back to work at YVR airport - CBC
Uber-style ride-hailing services to operate in B.C. by end of 2017 - Thompson Citizen
Victoria airport chief hopes push to privatize grounded - Times Colonist
Certified airports in British Columbia
BC Airport transportation options - IHateTaxis