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Luxury travel news this week: Coronavirus update

Here’s a round-up of luxury travel stories that have caught the eye this week. To make sure you receive these new weekly alerts in your web browser, please click on the red bell icon in the bottom right hand corner of the page and click ‘subscribe’ (works on desktop only – for other ways to subscribe, please click here). This will also alert you to any other posts on the blog. Should you wish, you can unsubscribe at any time, by clicking on the icon again and selecting ‘unsubscribe’. 14 bucket list-worthy experiences to book post-pandemic We’ve always known that travelling is a luxury, being able to experience different locations and cultures and meet people from all walks of life. But never has this been more apparent than the present, with current lockdown laws restricting our movements and suggestions that social distancing regulations could be put in place until at least the end of the year… [read more] When things shut down, luxury tourism steps up The global Covid-19 pandemic has, obviously, been devastating to the travel industry. But the impacts on the travel ecosystem go way beyond the immediate frontline workers. The loss of tourism impacts everything from conservation efforts in Africa to food banks and shelters that receive unused food from hotels. Some luxury companies, despite their own economic woes, are stepping in to help fill the gaps… [read more] Lake Atitlan, Guatemala What can we expect from the luxury market after COVID-19? The COVID-19 crisis is the kind of situation that our world has never experienced before. Not only has it turned into a global pandemic but, more importantly from consumer behaviour point of view, it has impacted individuals from all walks of life and all social and economic statuses. The virus does not spare members of royal families or top political leaders, individuals who often appear to be resistant to any other kind of crisis… [read more] The safari industry is no stranger to hardship, but what will it take to recover now? The last Hippo Creek Safari was cut short — in mid-March, the veteran tour operator’s guest flew out of Botswana several days early once news of impending lockdowns hit. She never made it to Rwanda. Covid-19 had arrived in Africa, restricting travel in and out of the continent. The restrictions spell trouble for Africa, both its people and its animals, the bread and butter of safari travel… [read more] Will more people fly private after coronavirus? When a private jet touched down at Marseille’s regional airport earlier this month, it was met by a scene straight out of a movie: French police waiting on the tarmac to intercept the group of 10 passengers on board. The seven men and three women had just touched down from the U.K.—a furtive trip that flouted European lockdown rules dictating that international travel across the continent may only occur for urgent reasons, like repatriation or delivering medical supplies. To circumvent such constraints, the group had chartered a private jet to help them sneak into the south of France… [read more] Private jet flying We really enjoy hearing from our readers and would love to hear your views on any of these stories! Please click on the comments below and share your thoughts. Thank you. Have a story you’d like to share? Please contact us for details.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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4 Comments

  1. In times like this, you can start to see the companies that treat their employees and customers poorly and seem to do nothing for the common good, and the companies that go out of their way to make a difference and do something positive in the time of need. I think we’ll remember what certain companies are doing now and it’ll impact how we use them in future. I know I’ve seen plenty of comments on different UK shops and people saying they won’t use them again because of how the company have behaved at this point. Then of course the others like the article mentions here with luxury companies filling the gaps and doing something good, these are the ones making a positive change that we’ll remember for the right reasons.

    I would have thought private travel would be more appealing, providing it’s affordable, for many in the future. It’s not just the convenience any more either it’s the want to avoid crowds and having a greater feeling of safety and security. It’s disconcerting to think a lot will be scared to travel when this is all over but I also think the industry will bounce back in time because already people are going a little stir crazy and are dreaming about holidays and making the most of life outside of their own four walls.

  2. I’ve been working for the travel and tourism industry and now find myself with little to do and the company on the brink of closure. No bookings and clients. No one is traveling. Countries are closed and only essential services and items can be transported. But I am glad to hear that many companies are stepping up to help those in dire need even if they are in not doing very well themselves or only able to get by probably. Though I see some big hotel chains and industry big names helping out, and that’s good. There are so many people around the world who are suffering now and losing their jobs and we cannot expect that all will be helped by the government. It’s stories like this that makes me believe that goodness prevails even when despair and suffering is everywhere.

  3. It’s so hard to imagine what the future of travel will look like. Much as we really want to support the travel industry, it is hard to consider booking anything abroad when so many trips have been cancelled this year. I think people will be really keen to travel locally for a while.

    1. I feel the same, Jan. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable travelling for a while, but I wouldn’t be too keen on local getaways either. I guess the fear factor kicks in and it’s also hard to imagine when this will end, when not a single case exists for it to be reignited. That said, I’m keen to travel in future, when covid-19 isn’t an issue. It’s made me more appreciative of the world around me and how much more I want to do. I’ve seen a lot of people talking online about being desperate to travel again when the restrictions are lifted but I find it quite unnerving because restrictions being lifted and the virus no longer being an issue aren’t the same thing. The travel industry has been hit hard but I think that it can bounce back with renewed determination and perhaps new strategies, even if travel isn’t ever quite the same again.

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