Could COVID ‘passport’ help global travel?
A pilot program being tested on several international long-haul flights is allowing passengers to upload certified health data such as COVID test results into a digital “passport” that could help facilitate the reopening of international borders. The pass, called CommonPass, was developed by a Swiss nonprofit and the World Economic Forum. Countries must agree on which type of COVID test is valid and what entry requirements are.
U.S. occupancy down slightly
U.S. hotel occupancy decreased slightly from the previous week, according to the latest data from STR through October 3.
September 27 through October 3 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019):
Occupancy: 47.9% (-29.6%)
ADR: US$95.63 (-26.3%)
RevPAR: US$45.80 (-48.1%)
Year-over-year declines were less pronounced compared with previous weeks due to the Rosh Hashanah impact on the hotel calendar in 2019. Most of the markets with the highest occupancy levels were once again those in areas with displaced residents from natural disasters. Amid continued wildfires, California South/Central saw the highest occupancy level at 78.4%. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, Mobile, Alabama, reported the next highest occupancy level (73.6%).
Aggregate data for the top 25 markets showed lower occupancy (42.1%) but higher ADR (US$99.06) than all other markets. Three of those major markets reached or surpassed 50% occupancy: Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia (52.5%); San Diego, California (52.1%); and Los Angeles/Long Beach, California (51.6%). Markets with the lowest occupancy levels for the week included Oahu Island, Hawaii (19.0%), and Orlando, Florida (30.8%).