Airbnb quarterly revenue falls 67%; IPO still on
Airbnb reported plummeting revenue and mounting losses in the second quarter, but the home-share company is still eyeing a stock market debut before year’s end. Revenue fell to US$335 million in the period ended June 30, down at least 67% from the more than US$1 billion the company reported in the same period last year, a shift that reflects the magnitude of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global travel.
France to be added to UK quarantine countries
Thousands of holidaymakers have seen their plans disrupted after U.K. quarantine measures were imposed on France. The 14-day isolation requirement also now applies to people arriving from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba. It comes after France’s prime minister acknowledged infection numbers were going “the wrong way.” France warned it would take reciprocal measures.
Mirage to reopen
MGM Resorts International announced that the Mirage resort will reopen its doors on August 27. MGM continues to evaluate and evolve its safety protocols. Key initiatives include:
- COVID-19 testing for employees as they return to work in partnership with the local medical community
- Employees and guests are required to wear masks. Complimentary masks will be provided to guests as needed
- A physical distancing policy has been implemented, with floor guides serving as reminders
- For areas where physical distancing presents challenges, plexiglass barriers have been installed, or other measures will be used to reduce risks
Google’s travel-related updates
Google recently introduced driving alerts to notify users about COVID-19 checkpoints and restrictions along routes in Google Maps. As restrictions and advisories begin to lift, the company is adding information about travel resuming in a specific destination on Google Search. By next week, users will also have the option to view the percentage of open hotels with availability and flights operating at the city or county level based on Google Flights and Hotels data from the previous week.
Hawaii considers delaying tourist return amid spike
Given the state’s rapidly rising COVID-19 case counts, officials are “looking at” delaying the start of a much-anticipated program that would allow out-of-state visitors to vacation there without quarantining for 14 days by presenting a negative COVID-19 test. The program, announced in June, is set to begin September 1. It was already delayed once, a month ago, due to rising cases on the mainland and in Hawaii.
Marriott ends ‘Make A Green Choice’ program
Marriott has officially eliminated its “Make A Green Choice” loyalty program. Previously, Marriott Bonvoy members could earn 500 points for each day where they declined housekeeping, applied only on stays of two nights or more. Now, with many hotels no longer providing daily housekeeping at all, the program has ceased.
Smell-sensory safety?
Velas Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is implementing a new safety measure for guests and staff to help detect probable cases of COVID-19. According to recent study by King’s College London, there are six distinct “types” of COVID-19, each distinguished by a particular set of symptoms. Across all six types one consistent symptom was loss of smell. The new safety precaution at Velas Resorts targets this particular symptom by testing travelers’ sense of smell by having them smell small perfumed sachets on arrival. This measure is in addition to frequent health and temperature checks for both guests and staff.