Post-COVID Travel Update: Disney, Vegas, Hawaii, Europe & Beyond

A rise in coronavirus numbers across the U.S. may be tempering a bit the recent uptick in travel demand, but the numbers don't lie: this Monday, June 22, more than 607,000 travelers went through TSA checkpoints. A major drop-off from the 2.7 million people who made it through security the same day last year, but the largest passenger number since March 19th. Slowly but surely, desire is turning into action, and Americans are starting to travel again.

Here's a quick recap of how the travel experience is shaping up at some popular destinations:
Me visiting with Mickey at Disneyland during the holidays
  • Disney: Disneyland has postponed its July 17th re-opening date; no new date has been announced. Disney World parks in Orlando are still on track to reopen by mid-July. When the parks do reopen, there will be no parades, no fireworks shows and no character interactions. But tapping into the Disney experience remains a priority for many families. This week, Disney launched an online reservation system that will allow you to pick your visit day through September 2021. Daily entry numbers will be reduced for now, with priority given to people with annual passes, and hotel reservations, as well as guests with tickets they could not use after Disney shuttered its parks due to COVID-19 in March. 
  • Vegas: the lights came back on along the Vegas Strip on June 4th. Numbers have been robust, interestingly, especially on weekends. Changes aimed at minimizing human contact include no valet parking, sanitation kits at check-in and touchless room entry. Casinos will feature more Plexiglas, along with physical distancing measures: three people max at blackjack tables, four at poker tables and six at craps tables. Deals on Vegas flight and hotel stays abound.
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Wailea, Maui
  • Hawaii: the 14-day quarantine mandate for visitors expires July 31, so may of the island's top resorts are welcoming guests from August 1. (Keep in mind, though, that you'll need a negative COVID-19 test before you land to avoid th 14-day quarantine during August.) The luxe Fairmont Kea Lani, on Maui, the only all-suite property in Hawaii, has made some changes during its pandemic shutdown, including new doors in all 450-plus suites that allow for touchless entry, and no more breakfast buffets. But, as with so many of the state's top resorts, the aloha spirit will prevail.
Check out Episode 10 of The Gabe Saglie Show for re-opening plans at The Fairmont Kea Lani (w/reservations from August 1)
  • The Caribbean: most island destinations will be open to international visitor by mid-July. Keep in mind, though, that each island has its own set of requirements, so know the rules at your destination before you go. Bermuda, for example, opens back up July 1, though they'll require a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your arrival, a second test upon landing, and self-quarantining until those results come back, which could take up to 24 hours.
Me broadcasting from Dublin's St. Patrick's Day parade
  • Europe: countries are opening up in earnest now, only problem: not to Americans. Hot spots like Italy and Portugal have thrown borders opens to their European neighbors, Ireland hotels are set to reopen June 29th and UK hotels will welcome guests from July 4th. Most countries are focusing on domestic travel and staycations. Word is, the EU will be publishing a list of nationalities they are ready to welcome this summer by July 1; China is likely to be on it but the U.S., with its rising COVID cases, is likely not. It could be that Americans will have to push their European travel plans until late 2020 or even 2021.
For now, domestic travel in the U.S., and in particular regional and in-state travel, will fare best this summer and fall. Remote, open-space destination will have the most appeal; in fact, some figures suggest a 1000% year-over-year jump in RV reservations and campsite reservations, 30% of those from newbies, making this the most robust sector of the travel industry as we head into summer. The delicate dance will be between growing traveler demand and attractive off-the-beaten-path destinations that are concerned about a traveler influx: data published this week by San Francisco-based Destination Analysts show 57% of Americans don't want travelers coming to their town, while only 16% do.
Check out Episode 8 of The Gabe Saglie Show to find out about this summer's surge in RV rentals and camping/glamping reservations
Skift has a great timeline on international re-openings that they're updating on a daily basis.

For more updates, follow me on Twitter and Instagram!


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