Find out which events are still going ahead as scheduled and how one hotel chain is looking after it’s valued members. All this and more in this week’s MICE news wrap up.
IPW still all systems go
IPW general manager, Malcolm Smith, has advised that despite other trade shows cancelling due to COVID-19, IPW is still on track to go ahead. “While IPW is several months away, we’re presently on track to host an outstanding event in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 30-June 3. It’s “all systems go” and planning for all scenarios is well underway. Registration is strong from both domestic and international attendees,” Malcom said. The U.S. public health and security officials have been clear in stating that the threat of COVID-19 in the United States remains low and organisers will continue to follow the guidance offered by these leading health authorities and be guided by the most up to date information available. Any alternative decisions will be informed by expert advice.
Best Western® Hotels & Resorts looking after its members
Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) is helping its loyalty members retain their elite status with Best Western Rewards (BWR®) as the Coronavirus continues to impact global travel plans. Effective immediately, all BWR members globally will maintain their current status through to 31 January, 2022 without needing to fulfill the necessary qualifications. Additionally, BWR members who might have already suffered a downgrade as a result of restricted travel and were downgraded a tier at the end of 2019 will be levelled-up to their previous tier and will maintain that status. “The impact of the Coronavirus on the travel industry is far-reaching,” said David Kong, President and Chief Executive Officer for BWHR. “At BWHR, caring is in our DNA and I am immensely proud that we can demonstrate this spirit of caring by taking steps to protect our valued guests during this time of fear and uncertainty, we very much appreciate their loyalty and business. We are also working diligently to support our hoteliers who have and will continue to experience declines in business as a result of the virus.” For more information on BWR or to sign up, please visit BestWestern.com/Rewards.
SA Tourism position on INDABA
South African Tourism (SAT) currently has no plans to postpone or cancel Africa’s Travel INDABA 2020, scheduled to take place from 12 – 14 May 2020. The tourism board has advised that they are in daily contact with their partners and stakeholders in South Africa as well as the relevant authorities in the travel and health sectors. “The COVID-19 virus presents us with an unprecedented set of circumstances that are changing on a day-to-day basis and we will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds, and inform you of any new developments,” SAT has advised. For association meetings and conferences, SAT will continue to work with the health and safety authorities to ensure that we have up to date information provision for organizers to keep them at ease of South Africa’s readiness to host business events. The Grading Council of South Africa is working with our convention venues to continuously enhance their hygiene protocols and ensure that scanning facilities are used for the safe management of our visiting delegates. For regular updates on Coronavirus, visit www.southafrica.net.
Rendez-vous Canada scheduled to take place in May
Rendez-vous Canada, scheduled to take place 5-8 May, is going ahead as planned with continued strong registration from both domestic and international attendees. A significant event for the Canadian tourism sector with lasting contributions into 2021, event organised said “it is crucial that we do everything we can to uphold this esteemed event, while reacting accordingly to the current global situation.” The 2020 Rendez-vous Canada working group (Destination Canada and Tourism Industry Association of Canada) is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and taking direction from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Canada continues to be a safe travel destination and PHAC’s current assessment indicates that the overall risk to Canada remains low. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and Canada’s response to this issue, please visit PHAC’s online resources here. There are currently no entry bans to Canada for citizens from China or other countries affected by COVID-19. Additional screening has been added to help prevent the possible spread of this infectious disease into Canada. “As the World Health Organization has reminded us, we all have a role to play in acting in solidarity and stopping stigma around COVID-19. As we have experienced in the past, overreaction and speculation can lead to negative long-term impacts for our industry, which in turn affects the vital visitor economy that touches businesses large and small. For more information please visit the World Health Organization website,” organisers said.
