Coronavirus related backlog of Passports are now being processed again Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - June 16, 2020June 16, 20200 The State Department has resumed processing U.S. passports to clear a backlog of 1.7 million pending applications before it can start tackling new requests, officials said Friday. Carl Risch, the assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, said 11 of the 29 passport agencies and centers around the United States that reduced services as the coronavirus began to spread have started Phase 1 on the road to normal. About half the agency’s passport workers have returned to their offices. Passport applications will be processed on a “first in, first out” basis. Risch estimated it will take six to eight weeks to clear the backlog dating from late February. The 1.7 million pending applications represent a little more than the average workload every month. Only then
Get Ready for a Return to Gambling in Las Vegas on June 4th Las Vegas Travel Advisory Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - May 29, 2020May 29, 20200 On Friday afternoon, Gov. Steve Sisolak gave Nevada casinos a tentative date they could plan to reopen: June 4. Seventy-eight days after casinos first closed down to help stem the spread of COVID-19. The move comes as the state has faced an increasing amount of pressure to reopen; Nevada’s unemployment rate hit record highs in April, and casinos in 12 other states had opened their doors ahead of those in Sin City. Virginia Valentine, president and CEO of the Nevada Resort Association, said Sisolak’s announcement is “fantastic news” for Nevada’s gaming industry. “Our members have spent more than two months preparing for this day,” she said in an emailed statement. “They’ve put in place enhanced health and safety plans and protocols … Our
Delta Airlines will Provide Complimentary Care Kits for Flights Air Travel Delta Airlines Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - May 28, 2020May 28, 20200 Test of complimentary kits include disposable face mask and hand sanitizerKits will be available on request at ticket counters and gates by June 5 Customers arriving at a Delta check-in area without a face mask need not worry – they will receive a complimentary care kit to comply with our mask requirement and enjoy an extra layer of protection throughout their travel. The kits will include: A disposable face mask;Purell hand sanitizer gel pouches;And, an information card detailing measures in place that are helping Delta transform the industry standard of clean "Our survey data showed a clear desire for these kits and we have a bias toward action when we see new trends emerge." said Bill Lentsch, Chief Customer Experience Officer. "As more people
Disney World is Set to Reopen their Gates Disney Florida Travel Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - May 27, 2020May 27, 20200 Disney World will reopen its gates, ending a multi-month closure of the park that left the Walt Disney Company reeling.The Disney theme park, which employs some 70,000 people, plans to begin a phased reopening on July 11 for its Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks and July 15 for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, the company said on Wednesday.Walt Disney World as well as Disney's Disneyland resort in Anaheim, California, closed in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.Disney is implementing several measures to reopen safely and prevent the spread of the coronavirus at its parks Employees and guests will be required to wear face coverings and undergo temperature screenings before entering the parks.Disney will reduce capacity at the parks and the resort will temporarily suspend parades, fireworks
Saint Lucia Reopening to Tourism June 4, 2020 Caribbean St. Lucia Travel Advisory Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - May 21, 2020May 21, 20200 CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA (May 18, 2020) – The Government of Saint Lucia has announced a phased approach to reopening the island’s tourism sector in a responsible fashion, beginning June 4, 2020. The strategy, which was unveiled by Minister of Tourism Dominic Fedee, protects nationals and visitors from the threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) through advance testing; daily screening and monitoring of staff and visitors; sanitization at various points throughout the travelers’ journey; and new social distancing protocols. Phase One of the reopening includes welcoming international flights at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) from the United States only. Travelers are advised to check with airlines regarding flight schedules and rules prior to booking. In anticipation of these first visitors, some 1,500 hotel rooms in Saint Lucia
Phased Reopening of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort Disney Florida Travel Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - May 17, 2020May 17, 20200 This coming Wednesday, May 20 will be a great first step in the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort® as Disney Springs begins its initial reopening that morning. With the safety and well-being of its Guests, Cast Members and third-party operators at the forefront Walt Disney World will began to welcome the public back to Disney Springs. While the theme parks and resort hotels remain temporarily closed, the phased reopening of Disney Springs is a welcome milestone as we navigate through this unprecedented time. Many third-party operators will open their doors to Disney Springs Guests. On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues will reopen: World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op. You can visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most current information on
Some CCL Cruises are Set to Resume August 1, 2020 Carnival Cruise Cruise Travel Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - May 5, 2020May 17, 20200 Carnival Cruise Line plans to resume cruises on Aug. 1, the company announced Monday. Eight of its 27 ships will begin cruising out of ports in Florida and Texas in August, the company said, while all other cruises will remain canceled through at least Aug. 31. The company had previously said it would cancel all cruises through June 26. The first ships to return to cruising will be the Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic and Carnival Sensation from Miami, the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Elation from Port Canaveral east of Orlando, and the Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Vista from Galveston, Texas. All Alaska cruises on the Carnival Spirit from Seattle will be canceled, as well as the Carnival Spirit Vancouver-Honolulu cruise on
COVID-19 Brings with it New Hotel Cleaning Initiatives Hilton Hotels Travel Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - April 29, 2020April 30, 20200 The American Hotel & Lodging Association and Hilton each announced initiatives this week to advance hotel cleanliness and keep guests and employees safe and healthy. The two join Marriott International and Accor, which recently announced cleanliness efforts to combat COVID-19. The AHLA launched Safe Stay, an initiative focused on enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions and workplace protocols to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19. Safe Stay will seek to change hotel industry norms, behaviors and standards to ensure both hotel guests and employees are confident in the cleanliness and safety of hotels once travel resumes. “Every hotel guest and employee should know that their health and safety are our top priority,” said Chip Rogers, president/CEO of AHLA. “Safe
DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie Lovers Here’s the Recipe so you can make them at Home Hilton Travel Travel News Uncategorized by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - April 13, 2020April 30, 20200 Ok so you haven't been a road warrior lately staying at your favorite hotel the DoubleTree by Hilton. I know I love strolling by the front desk strategically to see when the next batch of those freaking warm cookies are on the counter. Well you might not be traveling right now but we aren't going to let this COVID-19 pandemic take all of our joy away. Here is the official recipe of those world famous cookies that we all know and love and if you've never had any then let the good folks at Make it a Vacation Travel book you a stay in the very near future. A warm chocolate chip cookie can’t solve the pandemic problem, but it can bring
Bookit.com Shutdown Lays Off Staff Travel News by Corey Grant - Travel Agent - March 19, 2020April 30, 20200 Many of Bookit.com's travelers are taking to social media about the online travel company leaving complaints that they’ve gone out of business and left their customers stranded. Now this is highly unfortunate for those customers that have been affected but honestly Bookit has been one of those companies that I have warned travelers about for years when they would say "oh I can find it way cheaper on this site". Bookit.com is trying to blame their collapse on the COVID-19 crisis but anyone that professionally books travel knows that those hotel rooms and resorts should have been paid for in full at the time of booking so the horror story of people paying for those "cheap trips" and then arriving
