U.S. summer business travel report: Many companies in the U.S. have started implementing or finalizing plans to resume domestic business travel. According to a poll conducted by the Global Business Travel Association, 40% of the respondents said that their company’s plan to resume non-essential domestic business travel has “already happened” in the countries where they are based, compared with last month’s 34% allowing “some” domestic travel. An additional 33% said that their company has finalized a date (8%) or is still finalizing it (25%). Only 18% of the respondents are “waiting to see what happens”, while 6% are “not sure”. However, international business travel still looks murky as 62% said that their company is waiting to see what happens or is still uncertain. In Canada, both domestic and international business travel plans have started after delays.
Sonae invests in new brand: Sonae Capital Hotelaria, Portugal, has invested €17.5 million (US$20.8 million) in a new hotel brand called The Editory Collection Hotels. Two openings in Lisbon and Porto are being planned in the coming months, totalling eight units under the new brand. A company source said that the group has the goal of operating 12 units and 600 rooms by 2025.
European travel sentiment rising: Europeans’ interest in travel has risen sharply, with 70% of Europeans intending to take a vacation by the end of November 2021. While 15% are uncertain, 15% are not willing to travel. This is according to latest research by the European Travel Commission. The speedy rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine, introduction of the EU Digital Covid Certificate and the summer season have boosted Europeans’ travel spirit, the study said. Over half of the respondents (57%) feel optimistic about planning trips, while 25% are neutral and 18% remain unconvinced. About 54% intend to book a trip once they are fully vaccinated. While 51% are enthused about visiting another European country, travellers are still concerned about air travel and unexpected quarantine measures during their trips.
South Korea outbound forecast: Outbound tourism from South Korea is not forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels until 2024, when departures are projected to reach 29.6 million. However, South Korea is forecast one of the highest growth periods from 2020–2025 in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40% and 30.2 million traveling outbound by 2025. This would make it the third largest source market out of the APAC region going forward, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Minor welcomes Thailand announcement: Minor International’s Chairman, William E. Heinecke, has commended the June 16 announcement from Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, that revealed plans to reopen Thai borders to international tourists in 120 days. With the reopening of Phuket to international travellers on July 1st, the prime minister also called on key tourist destinations to reopen sooner, adding that travellers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 should be exempt from quarantine.