Hotels are selling out in Washington, D.C.
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration day is set for January 20, 2021, and while much remains uncertain in terms of how festivities will come together in the age of COVID-19, it appears people have already booked up hotel stays. According to a Washington, D.C. tourism group, a large turnout is expected based on years past, but just how big will depend on coronavirus pandemic developments. As of Tuesday, Travelocity showed dozens of listings that were no longer available for a January 19 to 21 stay. Fewer than 10 downtown D.C. options were available, ranging from US$899 to US$1,500 per night.
Hotels can add COVID safety info to Google Travel
Google is adding more COVID-19-related health and safety information to its Google Travel booking service. Starting this week, when users search for hotels and vacation rental properties through Google Travel, they may see new information about COVID-19 safety precautions at the property — like enhanced cleaning procedures that may be in use, for example, or if there’s an option for a contact-free check-in, among other things. Individual hotel owners will be able to directly provide Google with their COVID-19 health and safety procedures via a new tool in Google My Business that lets them add health and safety information to their Business Profile.