Showing Results for tag: coronavirus
England hospitality venues on curfew, face masks compulsory
UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 22:00 from Thursday, with staff obligated to wear face masks.
UK tourism outperforms global recovery
UK: According to the Lloyds Bank UK Recovery Tracker, in collaboration with IHS Markit, tourism and recreation in the UK is outpacing international markets.
The Hoxton launches wedding package
UK: The Hoxton has announced that it will now offer weddings up to 30 people in its all-new Holborn Apartment.
Booking.com to close at least five of its global offices
Worldwide: Online travel agency Booking.com is closing at least five of its offices around the world, in Bellevue, Washington [US], London and Cambridge [England], Toronto [Canada], and Split [Croatia].
Pandemic claims another big name in London as Ace quits the capital
UK: The Ace Hotel London Shoreditch will not reopen under the same brand following its closure during lockdown.
Nearly 30,000 sign petition to extend furlough beyond October
UK: The petition, set up by Encounters Travel sales manager Anthony Horrobin, has received around 29,500 signatures as of 1pm on Wednesday 9 September.
Tight lockdown restrictions announced in the UK
UK: Coming into force Monday 14 September, social gatherings of more than six people in England are now banned by law following anxiety over the sharp rise in coronavirus cases.
Hotels adapt to micro-wedding trend
US: With COVID-19 eliminating large gatherings, weddings have either been cancelled, postponed or downsized, and now hotels are offering micro-wedding packages.
Anyplace reveals US digital nomad trends
US: B2C marketplace Anyplace has outlined the latest digital nomad trends that the company is seeing across its platform in the United States.
San Francisco tourism expected to fully recover in 2025
US: According to research by San Francisco Travel Association (SFTA), the number of visitors to the city is expected to contract by over 50 per cent with a predicted $10.7 billion loss in visitor spending for 2020 and 2021.
Hospitality sector worst hit by Covid-19 as UK enters “largest” recession
UK: Figures published today by the Office for National Statistics [ONS] have shown that the hospitality sector was hit worse than any other sector by the Covid-19 pandemic, which coincides with the UK falling into recession for the first time since the 2008 financial crash.
OakNorth Bank secures additional CBILS allocation
UK: OakNorth Bank has approved over £600 million in new loans since lockdown began, and the British Business Bank has since approved an additional CBILS allocation.
Survey reveals American sentiment on summer travel
US: The Manifest, a business news website, surveyed 850 Americans to determine how the coronavirus is affecting their willingness to travel.
PPHE reports 60 per cent revenue drop in first half of 2020
UK: PPHE Hotel Group has announced a trading update for the six months ending 30 June 2020, reporting a £93 million drop in revenue compared to 2019 records.
Survey findings reveal operational challenges for hoteliers
US: Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) surveyed close to 450 general managers and senior executives to gain an insight on the current climate in luxury hospitality.
AHLA calls for additional financial support
US: The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has sent a letter to congress calling for extra provisions to help protect hotels, its employees and guests.
Marriott announces face masks as part of brand standards
US: Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International, has announced that wearing face masks will become a brand standard for guests staying in Marriott hotels “no matter the jurisdiction”.
Scotland begins to reopen hospitality venues
Scotland: As of 15 July 2020, hospitality venues in Scotland are allowed to reopen providing that mitigations are met.
De Niro’s Nobu and Greenwich Hotel puts actor under financial strain
US: De Niro’s legal team have reported that investments in restaurant and hotel chain Nobu and The Greenwich Hotel has strained the actor’s finances.
UK hospitality leaders respond to new budget
UK: Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the exchequer, announced major VAT cuts yesterday to promote recovery in the hospitality sector.
Wishbox launches COVID-related digital features
Israel: Wishbox, a white-label guest engagement provider, has launched a suite of new smart tools to allow hotels digitise its guest communication.
One million hospitality staff to return to work
UK: A survey by UKHospitality (UKH) reveals that over 960,000 staff are expected to return to work from furlough over the course of July.
IHG reopens 90 per cent of global portfolio
Worldwide: InterContinental Hotels Group has reported an expected 75 per cent revPAR decline for the second quarter overall, with “small but steady” improvements during the quarter.
Rosewood update on global recovery
Worldwide: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has shared new plans and strategies as part of its path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tripadvisor launches ‘Travel Safe’ features
Worldwide: The suite of new tools help consumers find, filter, and validate health and safety information both domestically and internationally.
UK to lift quarantine restrictions on European arrivals from July 6
UK: Restrictions on overseas travel will be relaxed from July 6, ministers have said.
Hotel restaurants likely to “remain firmly closed” from July
UK: Following the recent government announcement that hotels, pubs and restaurants can reopen from 4 July, accountants Mercer & Hotel say that hotel restaurants are unlikely to benefit.
UK hospitality gets the green light as social distancing reduced
UK: In a statement this afternoon, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the reopening of pubs, restaurants and hotels on July 4.
UK hotels expected to reopen on July 4
UK: Prime minister Boris Johnson is reportedly set to announce hotels and bed and breakfasts can reopen on July 4 along with pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.
CitizenM launches new contactless experience
The Netherlands: Global budget luxury hotel brand Citizen M has announced the launch of its full contactless experience.
Hilton cuts 20 per cent of global workforce
Worldwide: Hilton Worldwide Holdings has announced it will lay off 22 per cent of its global corporate workforce, equating to around 2,100 jobs.
Times Square EDITION to close one year after debut
US: The 452-room hotel located in New York’s Times Square is to permanently close on 13 August 2020 due to financial issues caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Pan Pacific postpones London opening to 2021
UK: Originally set to open at the end of this year, Pan Pacific London has pushed back its launch date to early 2021.
Avion introduces sterilisation products for hotels
UK: Avion Group has launched a suite of products to help hotels and restaurants safely and hygienically resume business operations.
HMRC says Job Retention Scheme supports nearly 1.5m in hospitality
UK: HMRC, who have implemented the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), have announced that these programmes have been used to support almost 1.5 million hospitality workers.
Domestic travel searches surge in May
Worldwide: Tripadvisor has revealed findings from its multi-month study on consumer travel sentiment, highlighting early green shoots of recovery in a number of countries worldwide.
Smart-tech pathogen protection equipment launches
US: BioPPE, a manufacturer of smart-tech health solutions, is rolling out a line of new products to help businesses adapt and prepare for heightened hygiene protocols.
Synoptic Reactivate launches to support safe working environments
UK: Synoptic, a global software company, has launched its Reactivate platform designed to facilitate safe and efficient reopening whilst minimising the potential problems that movement of people could pose for the NHS.
Xenia sues SBG US Holdings for backing out of deal
US: Xenia Hotels & Resorts has reportedly sued SBG US Holdings for backing out of an agreement to buy its portfolio of seven Kimpton-managed hotels.
Crystalbrook Collection launches Mindfully Safe
AUS: Crystalbrook Collection, a sustainable and independent hotel group in Australia, has launched its Mindfully Safe programme in response to COVID-19.
ALICE launches eBook on contactless hotel operations
US: ALICE has revealed a complimentary eBook to address COVID-19 response protocols, particularly focussing on technology and contactless service.
Contactless app allows safe luggage handling
US: Chexology, a technology provider for checking in items, is introducing its contactless application to the hospitality industry so operators can prevent the spread of COVID-19.
OYO launches ‘Scrubbed Clean’ programme
US: OYO Hotels has developed its ‘Scrubbed Clean’ programme in compliance with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to ensure a healthy and safe environment for guests and staff.
Campaign urges UK government to scrap 14-day quarantine for arrivals
UK: Over 200 travel and hospitality businesses have backed a nationwide campaign urging the UK government to overturn its planned 14-day quarantine for international arrivals.
Forbes Travel Guide introduces back-to-work guidelines
US: Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) has launched a complimentary set of best practice guidelines, coupled with a virtual training programme, to support luxury establishments prepare for post-quarantine service changes.
Free Masketeers campaign launches
UK: Free Masketeers is designing bespoke face masks for businesses using the leftover fabric from London hotel uniforms and NHS approved scrubs.
The Standard introduces ‘Buy One, Give One’ initiative
US: For bookings made now until 11 June 2020, Standard Hotels will offer those guests the opportunity to give a stay to a first responder, essential worker, friend or family member.
Expedia Group commits $275 million to partner recovery programme
US: Expedia Group has pledged $250 million in marketing credits and financial relief for those properties that participate in the programme, with a $25 million fund going towards advertising destinations.
Marriott extends furlough to October 2020
US: Marriott International announced on Wednesday that it will extend its furlough and reduced workweek schedules to 2 October 2020, and expects a “significant number of above property position eliminations” later this year.
Avani introduces digital brand standards as part of its AvaniSHIELD programme
Worldwide: Avani Hotels & Resorts is rolling out its AvaniSHIELD programme across all 32 of the brand’s properties, with primary initiatives driven by the adoption of new technology.
