Big airfare sales for travel after Labor Day tell me airlines are worried about empty seats

United, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines all have recently announced discounts as low as $49 – $59 each way for travel after Labor Day. This signals to me that they have gobs of empty seats as the business traveler, who they thought would be jumping on planes this fall, has been postponed once again and family travel is focused on back-to-school activities. All eyes are on the Delta COVID variant to see if it soon peaks or if travel this fall and winter turns into a dud.

Small hotel in New York City is first to require vaccinations for all guests – A small hotel chain in the Big Apple is the first hotel chain to require vaccinations for all guests. This piggybacks on New York City’s own plan to require staff and customers at indoor dining establishments, and concert halls to provide proof of vaccine beginning on Aug. 16. Hotels aren’t yet included in that planned city-wide vaccine mandate yet. I think many people will simply stay away from New York City. I don’t think many of the major hotel chains will require vaccinations for guests as they would be removing over 100,000,000 Americans or 1/3 of their possible customers by requiring vaccination. CLICK HERE to read more. 

If you want to travel internationally or do any type of cruising you just about have to be vaccinated – Many countries and cruise lines are now welcoming Americans, however, they require proof of vaccination as a prerequisite to travel. So if you are not vaccinated you probably are limited to traveling within the good ol’ USA.

Our friendly Canadian neighbors are opening the borders to Americans this week – On Monday Canada opened the borders and said come on in (vaccination required).  There is a really short window of opportunity to travel to Canada until the weather starts to close things down for winter. I understand there has been a rush to fill the grand hotels (Fairmont, Four Seasons, Ritz Carton) for last-minute travel get-a-ways. Also, I have found just a few train trips are still available on the famous Rocky Mountaineer. Call one of our friendly travel advisors to help you find a last-minute summer fling (402-435-8888)

Here is the new issue of Virtuoso Life, one of the best travel magazines – One of my favorite travel magazines is Virtuoso Life, a luxury travel and lifestyle magazine published exclusively for Virtuoso travel agencies, of which Executive Travel is a member. The July /August is a great one as it lists our favorite places around the world. CLICK HERE to see the e-magazine or you can always find the most recent copy on the upper right-hand side of this newsletter.

Passion Play, the Best of Germany, Austria, Topped off with Prague – One of my favorite trips ever took place in 2010 when I was able to attend the Passion Play in the small mountain village of Oberammergau, Germany. The play takes place only every 10 years since 1634 and is one of the most breathtaking performances you can experience. 2 departures are already full but we have a few spots left on our departure next June 7-17. Besides attending the Passion Play, this once-in-a-lifetime journey includes Munich and the world-famous Hofbräuhaus, Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg, and the “Sound of Music”-region, elegant Vienna with a visit to the Spanish Riding School, and fairy-tale Prague. It is one of the most delightful itineraries I can think of so do not hesitate to secure your spot. This group is limited to 20 travelers. Call or email our friendly group department, (402) 858-0033 / GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com. CLICK HERE to learn all the details!