Australia’s peak cruise, touring and tourism export bodies have forged closer ties during the COVID pandemic, collaborating across areas of common concern and advocacy.

Emirates is rolling out a redesigned premium cabin experience aboard its Airbus A380 double-decker fleet.

Azamara has extended its coronavirus operations pause until the 2021 Europe season, and return to service on 20 March 2021 for Azamara Quest’s originally scheduled 12-night Spain Country Intensive voyage, Azamara Journey’s 9 April 2021 voyage from Lisbon to Barcelona, and Azamara Pursuit’s new series of Greek Country Intensive Voyages starting on 9 May 2021.

Cruise industry heavyweights discussed the planned path for the reintroduction of cruising from US ports with American Vice President Mike Pence on Friday [10 October 2020].

Virtuoso Chairman Matthew Upchurch has called on the travel industry to pull together as a united front and “get cruise ships sailing again”.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for all passengers to be tested for COVID-19 before departure as the organisation looks to steer the recovery of air traffic in the wake of the pandemic.

South Africa’s luxurious rail service, The Blue Train, is set to resume private charter services this month and will restart leisure travel and a full schedule from 1 November 2020, dependent on further pronouncements from the government. The move comes as the country moves to alert Level 2 in response to the pandemic.

Domestic tourism will act as a catalyst for countries around the world to recover from the social and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has forecast.

One of Australia’s premier ultra-luxury island resorts, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, has welcomed a higher than expected visitation since emerging from a coronavirus closure at the start of September.

Expedition cruise specialist Hurtigruten has pulled the pin on its 2020 Antarctica program, shelving its planned operation to the White Continent in October, November and December.

Australian Chamber Tourism Chair John Hart has slammed South Australia for its hesitation to reopen its border to NSW residents. While welcoming the state’s border opening with the ACT this week, Hart said much more was needed, and imminently, to save tourism.

Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) will host a one-day hybrid event that will feature workshops to build the practical skills and knowledge event professionals and businesses need to be successful in the recovery phase of the industry.