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COVID Briefs: U.S. travelers cautious | Virgin cancels holiday bookings

2021 U.S. travel boom less likely, says survey 

A new poll from Yahoo Finance and The Harris Poll examined evolving attitudes to travel as vaccines are disseminated throughout the population and light at the end of the tunnel appears. Unfortunately, the travel industry may not be primed for a boom just yet. Only 14% of Americans have booked travel out of state in 2021 so far, and just 28% of Americans plan to travel out of state within three months of getting vaccinated. For most, travel is contingent on getting the vaccines, not simply having more of the population around them with immunity.

More from Yahoo Finance

Virgin will cancel holiday bookings

Virgin Holidays has become the latest travel firm to cancel holiday reservations after new coronavirus lockdown restrictions were imposed. It said schedules will be canceled until mid-February, joining similar moves by Tui, Jet2 and Thomas Cook. The companies said customers would be contacted about their future travel options during what Virgin described as “these extraordinary circumstances.” Thomas Cook said it will call customers to offer refunds or rebooking. Tui said it was “canceling all holidays in line with international travel restrictions.” It added that customers due to depart from England, Scotland and Wales would be contacted to discuss options.

More from the BBC 

British hospitality sector unimpressed with lockdown grant

Pubs, restaurants and breweries in England have given a lukewarm reception to offer of grants of up to £9,000 (US$12,200) to help them survive until the spring. On the morning after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a seven-week lockdown that will force hundreds of thousands of businesses across England to close, the U.K.’s chancellor announced a £4.6 billion (US$6.3 billion) package of support for the retail, hospitality and leisure industries. But with the hospitality sector on its knees, having been singled out for tough restrictions, industry figures called for a more comprehensive long-term plan, while craft breweries decried a lack of support for their previously thriving industry.

More from The Guardian

Chris Nassetta talks COVID, travel

Hilton President & CEO Chris Nassetta shared his perspective on this unprecedented year on Hilton’s website – what he experienced, what he learned and what he’s most looking forward to in the new year. 

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Hunter conference pushed back

The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference will now take place May 10-12, 2021, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Georgia, after already being pushed back from its original scheduled date in March 2020. This is the 32nd year for the hotel real estate and finance conference designed for owners and investors. 

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