To keep our industry partners abreast of the current situation in priority international markets (Canada, the UK, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Germany), here is the latest Situational Analysis . This document includes information regarding quarantines, borders, economy, airlines, restrictions, trade, and sentiment for each country. For questions, please contact Lauren Pace.

Key Updates – 11/16

  • In Canada, the inclusion by Air Canada, Sunwing, Swoop, and WestJet, of COVID-specific health insurance on certain flights and trip packages will help incentivize some activity in the fourth quarter months, especially to sun destinations. However, the continued closure of the U.S. land border, very little global air capacity, and mandatory quarantine requirements for returning travelers continue to impact demand.
  • Despite the entire U.K. currently under varying degrees of lockdown measures for the next month, positive news of a vaccine that could potentially start to be rolled out in December has caused consumer confidence to soar this week, with the travel trade reporting a surge in enquiries and bookings for 2021 and share prices for travel companies increasing by huge percentages. Media coverage of the U.S. election in the U.K. also led to an increase in internet searches for the U.S. 
  • In Brazil, there is anticipation that changes to COVID restrictions will come after the second phase of elections for Mayor and Councilor, taking place on November 29. 
  • Colombia Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz announced that starting November 5th, there will no longer be a requirement for a negative COVID test for travelers arriving in Colombia. Copa Airlines has resumed all flight frequencies from Colombia to Miami through Panama (two daily flights departing from Medellin, Cali, Bogotá, Pereira, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla and Cartagena).
  • Despite the current situation, Mexicans are traveling to the U.S. Those who haven’t been economically affected by the pandemic are looking to spend their end-of-year-vacation funds on reservations for early 2021, specifically in destinations offering greater security, increased hygiene and sanitization measures, and freedom of movement. Those who are willing to travel are taking advantage of the great deals currently available in the U.S. Now more than ever, spending time away from home is becoming a priority for many Mexicans. 

German company BioNTech and U.S. firm Pfizer announced on Monday that early results from ongoing Phase III trials of their jointly developed vaccine indicate it is 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections. The statement from the two companies is the first release of successful data from a large-scale trial of coronavirus vaccines. According to their reports, they found no serious safety concern connected with the vaccine. Researchers believe the immunizing effects will not be short-lived.