‘Second wave’ virus fears strike blow to tourism industryVideo
LONDON — Concerns over a “second wave” of coronavirus infections brought on by returning holidaymakers is wreaking havoc across Europe’s tourism industry, particularly in Spain, following Britain’s effective ban on travel to the country. In a move that reflects the continent’s piecemeal approach to keeping the virus at bay, the...
In-store dancing leads to Hawaii visitor quarantine arrest
HONOLULU — Investigators with the Hawaii attorney general’s office arrested a 20-year-old woman after seeing videos of her dancing in a store and dining out when she was supposed to be obeying a traveler quarantine the state mandated to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Anne Salamanca arrived in...
French tourism gets boost with reopening of Disneyland ParisVideo
PARIS — The French tourist industry received a further boost Wednesday with the partial reopening of Disneyland Paris and the opening up of the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. Disneyland Paris, Europe’s most frequented theme park resort, is partially reopening to the public, four months after it closed as...
English pubs are reopening — and they won’t be the same
LONDON — Asking people in English pubs to keep their distance is going to be tough after they’ve had a few of their favorite tipples. Pub managers will have to be resourceful come Saturday when they and other parts of the hospitality industry in England open their doors to customers...
US issues guidelines but no new rules for safe air travel
Federal officials said Thursday that airlines should consider limiting capacity on planes to promote social distancing, but they are not considering making the airlines do it. The officials also recommended — but did not move to require — that travelers wear face coverings in airports and on planes. All leading...
No smoking, drinking or eating as Atlantic City casinos openVideo
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City tried Prohibition once before. It worked so well that Nucky Johnson, the legendary politician and racketeer, built a Boardwalk empire immortalized on HBO nearly a century later. It also tried banning smoking, too. That lasted for 20 days as smokers stayed away, sending casino...
Grants offered to small businesses in Pennsylvania, including travel industry
Industry experts predict U.S. travel this summer will experience a 15% dip compared to last year. This news comes as support grows for additional federal stimulus assistance to help the travel industry, one of the economic sectors hardest hit during the covid-19 pandemic, according to a national survey. Regionally, officials...
Disney reimagining Splash Lagoon ride based on film dubbed racially offensive
The death of George Floyd continues to reverberate nationwide. The reaction to his death, after a Minnesota police officer kneeled on his neck for almost eight minutes, has taken the form of continuing protests, introspection and a national — if heated — conversation about race. Amid the fallout, some companies...
Pittsburgh airport launches 2nd phase of reopening plan as travel increases
Pittsburgh International Airport said it is launching the second phase of its PIT Safe Travels Program as passenger traffic increases. The airport implemented the program last month to ensure a safe environment in the airport and bolster confidence in air travel in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. The initiative...
Statues on Gettysburg’s battlefields are history lessons rather than racist symbols, park official says
In recent weeks, a number of Confederate statues and monuments have been targeted by protesters as symbols of racism and slavery. As a result, a number of them are no longer standing. When it comes to Confederate markers, you’re unlikely to find a place with as many such examples than...
Disney to roll out new reservation system when parks reopen
When Walt Disney World reopens its Florida theme parks next month after shutting down during the coronavirus pandemic, they’ll be introducing a new reservation system. The company announced Friday that the new Disney Park Pass System will operate through disneyworld.com on either a desktop or mobile device, and registration through...
Company plans ultimate balloon ride to the edge of spaceVideo
Looking for a trip that’s out of this world? Well, almost. How about a balloon trip up 19 miles over the Atlantic Ocean? That would be high enough to view the Earth’s curvature and take in a sight that only astronauts have been lucky enough to see. The company —...
Norwegian Cruise Line extends cruise suspensions as pandemic continues
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will be extending suspensions for three of its cruise lines. On Tuesday, Norwegian said three of its cruise brands will extend cruise cancellations. All voyages embarking from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 from Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will be canceled....
Airlines suspend in-flight alcohol service during pandemic
If you’re expecting to have the chance to grab a cold one while in flight to your next destination, don’t. Airlines around the world, including Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, domestically, are halting alcoholic beverage service in response to the coronavirus. According to CNN, the move is part of...
New roller coaster highlights Hersheypark’s reopening on July 3Video
After months of coronavirus precautions, Hersheypark is getting ready to reopen. And when guests finally start visiting on July 3, they’ll be able to experience a new ride that’s billed as the park’s fastest, tallest and longest roller coaster. Candymonium reaches 210 feet high with a max speed of 76...
Care-free days at theme parks giving way to virus safeguards
TOLEDO, Ohio — Hugs from Mickey Mouse are out at Walt Disney World. So is bunching up at Six Flags to snag a front-seat roller coaster ride. But the season won’t be completely lost for thrill-seekers. Carefree days of sharing cotton candy on crowded midways will give way this year...
Pack swimsuit, mask, California welcomes back tourists
SAN DIEGO — There will be no packed double-decker safari buses with tour guides rolling through the San Diego Zoo, nor animal shows that draw crowds — nor breakfast buffets at hotels. Instead, hotels are adorning lobbies with hand sanitizing dispensers and will be limiting how many people lounge by...
Disney plans to reopen California theme parks in July
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Disney is proposing to reopen its Southern California theme parks in mid-July after what will be a four-month closure due to the coronavirus, the company said on Wednesday. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products said in a statement that the goal is to reopen Disneyland and Disney California...
Cedar Point to reopen in July, starting with season passholders
Cedar Point announced Tuesday it will begin a phased reopening for the 2020 season, starting with Season Passholders only. In a statement on the park’s website, the company said it “has put stringent health, safety and hygiene protocols in place to allow a safe opening.” On July 9 and 10,...
Cedar Point, Kalahari Resorts sue Ohio over coronavirus restrictions
Three Ohio amusement and water parks are arguing that the state’s Department of Health does not have the constitutional authority to keep them closed despite the coronavirus pandemic, according to a lawsuit filed Friday. The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, which filed the suit on behalf of Cedar Point, Kalahari...
Universal takes 1st steps reviving Orlando theme park bizVideo
ORLANDO, Fla. — With masks on their faces and temperature checks at entrances, Harry Potter fans and roller coaster lovers streamed back into Universal Orlando Resort this week in one of the first major steps toward reviving Florida’s theme park industry, which was left temporarily moribund by closures to stop...
Disney plans to reopen parks beginning July 11Video
Looks like a lot of people are about to get a whole lot happier. Disney announced Wednesday it is hoping to reopen all four of its parks — the Happiest Place on Earth — in Orlando, Fla., by mid-July, the Orlando Sentinel reports. The phased reopening would begin July 11...
Universal Orlando seeks to reopen theme parks in early June
ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando is aiming to reopen its theme parks in early June, a resort official said Thursday, more than two months after the company joined crosstown rivals Disney World and SeaWorld in closing their gates to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Universal Orlando executive John...
Uncertain future rattles Italy’s famed restaurantsVideo
ROME — Italy’s restaurants and pizzerias, for foodies the world over a key reason to visit, are facing an existential threat. Those that didn’t fold after 10 weeks of a strict coronavirus lockdown are emerging to find that new social distancing requirements might yet drive them out of business. While...
Disney, Universal may require masks, but will tourists comply and how can it be enforced?
ORLANDO, Fla. — Quarantined alone for weeks, Kristen Hariton listens to Walt Disney World ride soundtracks while she works in her one-bedroom condo. Her music playlist is the best she can do right now since she has lost her happiest place on Earth. Hariton says she would do anything, including...
