Mexico News
Cancun Has Seen 6.4 Million Tourists during the Pandemic
Cancun has registered over 6.4 million tourists since reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Mexican airport operator ASUR. Of that, over 2.7 million were American travelers on vacation.
The resort city continues to be one of the top destinations in the world during the pandemic and is showing no signs of slowing down. Cancun was one of the first destinations in the world to reopen for tourists back in June of 2020.
The city has non-stop flights from almost every major city in the United States and Canada. During the pandemic, travelers have been looking at direct flights to reduce travel time as much as possible.
There are only three countries in the western hemisphere that do not require testing or quarantines. Mexico is one of them. With travelers only required to fill out a health declaration form, traveling to Mexico is almost as easy as prior to the pandemic.
Cancun was the first destination in the world to be awarded with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) “Safe Travels Seal.” This gave domestic and international tourists the confidence to visit the destination.
145 hotels have now reopened in Cancun and are operating at a maximum of 60 percent capacity.
International News
Seeking a Second Passport?
Embark Beyond launched the Dual Citizenship Program designed to help clients gain citizenship and a second passport for 15 EU countries based on ancestral heritage. Embark, partnering with local firms around the world, will facilitate gaining a second passport, even down to genealogy research. Among the countries Embark is targeting are Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Portugal.
Aviation News
Only One US Airline Cracked the List of the Ten Safest Carriers
The “Top Twenty Safest Airlines 2021” list compiled by airline website AirlineRatings.com analyzes crash records and safety compliance to highlight airlines that it claims are leading air travel safety.
AirlineRatings.com analyzed crash and serious incident histories, fleet ages, and audits of 385 airlines performed by governments and aviation associations. It used that analysis to name the 10 safest airlines for 2021 as:
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Air New Zealand
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Eva Air
- Etihad Airways
- Alaska Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- British Airways
Qantas, Australia’s flag carrier, was named the world’s safest airline for the third year in a row by the website.
“Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major operational safety advancement over the past 60 years and has not had a fatality in the pure jet era,” said Geoffrey Thomas, the website’s editor-in-chief. “But Qantas is not alone. Long established airlines such as Hawaiian and Finnair have perfect records in the jet era.”
Alaska Airlines is the only US carrier named among the 10 safest airlines in the world.
US and European airlines figure more prominently in the second half of the list, which includes:
- Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
- Finnair
- Lufthansa
- KLM
- United Airlines
Thomas said that overall there is little real difference in terms of safety among the 20 airlines named to the list: “They are all standouts.”
Deal of the Week
Princess Launches 12-Day Scandinavia and Russia Cruise from Southampton
From Southampton, make an incredible 12-night sailing to Scandinavia and the beautiful cities of Copenhagen, Denmark, Stockholm, Sweden, and Skagen, Denmark.
The cruise to Scandinavia is combined with a visit to St. Petersburg, Russia. Located on the Gulf of Finland and close to the capitals of Scandinavia, St. Petersburg is a city of palaces. Visit the Hermitage with its 120 ornate rooms, the Russian Ballet, palaces of the ill-fated Romanov family and shop on the fashionable Nevsky Prospekt.
In June, July, and August 2021, Princess Cruises is launching the brand-new Scandinavia and Russia cruise from Southampton aboard its new ship, the ultra-modern and luxurious Sky Princess.
Highlights:
Copenhagen: Admire the brightly colored buildings as you enjoy a relaxing canal tour through Nyhavn, a 17th century waterfront. It’s a great way to see all the wonderful sights this city has to offer.
St. Petersburg: Explore the fabulous State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace—famous for its art collection, magnificent décor, and opulent furniture from Russian royals, this stunning building is a must-see.
Stockholm: A visit to the Vasa Museum is a must-do. The opportunity to see a recovered war ship from the 17th century is a one-of-a-kind experience.
2021 departures are available on June 7, July 1, July 13, and Aug. 18. Book with confidence—Princess is offering flexible booking conditions, including free cancellation up to 30 days before departure on bookings made before Jan. 31, 2021.
Pricing: Interior from US$1,549; Oceanview from US$2,259; Balcony from US$2,269; Mini-suite from US$2,769; Suite from US$5,399. Prices are per person. Taxes, fees, and port expenses are an additional US$205.
For a limited time only, Princess Cruises’ Best Sale Ever includes drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities plus stateroom location upgrade and specialty dining.
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant since 1971, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit your interests, physical abilities and budget. Please contact Judy for further information on Travel News topics and around-the-world travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765; Vonage 949 300 3682; email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net.
Sources: Travel Weekly, Travel Off Path, CNBC, World of Cruising