Debbie Loewen

How the vaccine will impact travel next year Source: Claire Newell With vaccine programs underway in both Russia and the United Kingdom this week, plus plans to rollout elsewhere in the coming weeks and months, there is renewed hope for the global tourism sector. While so many parts of the world's tourism and travel industries have tried to pivot and explore testing options to incentivize people to go abroad, it's really the assurance of a vaccine that will bolster consumer c...Continue reading

News from the cruise industry. written by Claire Newell Story: U.S. CDC lets No-Sail Order lapse, introduces conditions for phased return...Continue reading

10 Fall getaways to inspire you! And any of these can be customized. 1-877-523-7823 [email protected]... #travelbestbets #localgetaways #explore #wanderlust

From Claire Newell Story: Hawaii using technology at airports Hawaii is installing facial recognition technology at its airports to aid in contact tracing efforts. Screeners at a centralized airport location will use the imagery to track passengers who have high temperatures readings as they move through the airport. To address privacy, once the passengers are found and brought for secondary screening the images will be deleted. Hawaii's Governor intends to have the facial im...aging devices in place at all five airports that receive flights from out-of-state before the end of 2020. The new technology is meant to complement temperature-detection cameras that were installed this summer. Up until August, each passenger's temperature had to be read individually. These new cameras can detect someone's temperature even if they are wearing a face mask and a hat. Anyone who reads above 100.4 degrees must undergo secondary screening. The voluntary secondary screening consists of a nasal swab test, which will be taken to an outside lab. Technically state officials do not have the authority to hold passengers who refuse the tests, however, all passengers must provide necessary contact tracing information, including their ID and accommodations as soon as they arrive. These investments are part of Hawaii's extensive plans to protect the islands while safely reviving tourism. Due to a recent spike in coronavirus cases in parts of the Aloha State, the government has had to push back its plans for welcoming Transpacific visitors without requiring a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travellers will now have to wait until October 1st to enter under the new set of rules. The state will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72-hours before arrival. Hawaii requires a specific FDA-approved test, completed by a certified lab. There are a couple of private labs in Canada that provide the test. Hawaii's tourism authority is working with its Canadian arm to see how state health authorities could accept tests administered by various provincial health authorities. If you are keen to visit Hawaii, keep tabs on the updates from the state's health officials at health.hawaii.gov/travel