Global Travel Insights This Week

After a new Covid-19 variant was identified in South Africa, nations across the globe introduced travel restrictions. In the U.S., over 2.3 million people flew on Thanksgiving Day, setting a record for pandemic-era travel. Meanwhile, New Zealand and the Philippines shared updated plans for reopening in the Asia-Pacific region.

Here are some of the key travel updates from this week:

A new variant sparked widespread flight bans

On November 26, the discovery of a potent new Covid-19 variant triggered a wave of travel restrictions. The United States, the European Union, and other global destinations moved swiftly to block incoming flights from seven southern African nations, including South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.

While only a few cases of the Omicron variant have been reported so far, the World Health Organization has expressed concern, and experts are warning that it could spread quickly.

Europe pressed on with its winter season despite the challenges.

Austria's Ischgl resort will now open on December 3, following a delay caused by the national lockdown.

Austria's Ischgl resort will open on December 3, delayed by the national lockdown. Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images

Austria and Slovakia have entered lockdown, while protests have erupted in Croatia, the Netherlands, and Belgium over new Covid restrictions. Meanwhile, Europe’s ski resorts are cautiously preparing for the winter season.

Germany and Denmark have been added to the growing list of highest-risk travel destinations for US travelers, joining other countries like Ireland, Greece, and Hungary.

Despite rising Covid cases, Christmas markets began opening in Italy and across Europe, while the EU suggested limiting vaccine validity for travel to nine months. Meanwhile, the UK is expanding its list of accepted vaccinations for entry.

US travel disruption continues to break records this year.

In 2021, reports of disruptive passengers have already surpassed 30 years' worth of recorded incidents. Flight attendants are saying they've had enough.

Covid cases are once again on the rise in the US, with over 595,000 new cases reported last week. However, Thanksgiving travel set a new pandemic record, with more than 2.3 million passengers passing through American security checkpoints on November 24 – the busiest day since March 2020.

The Philippines and New Zealand have unveiled their plans to reopen borders.

Starting December 1, fully vaccinated travelers can enter the Philippines without quarantine, provided they have spent the last 14 days in a designated 'green list' country.

Countries on the 'green list' include the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Additionally, visitors must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure.

Fiji, as previously announced in October, will also open its borders to international travelers on December 1.

New Zealand has provided further details on its reopening plan for 2022. Initially, the country will accept New Zealand citizens and residents traveling from Australia beginning January 16. On February 13, it will expand to include citizens from other countries, and by April 30, fully vaccinated travelers from most nations, except those classified as 'high risk,' will be allowed to enter.

Egypt has reopened its iconic Avenue of the Sphinxes.

On November 23, Egypt marked the grand reopening of the 3,400-year-old Avenue of the Sphinxes in Luxor. This 2.7-kilometer pathway connects the Luxor and Karnak temples and was first discovered in the 1940s.

After decades of excavation and restoration, the site now features a stunning display of hundreds of sphinxes and ram-headed statues that line the entire route.

A restaurant group is funding family reunions for its employees.

In addition to covering the cost of flights and numerous Covid tests, the company is offering extra unpaid leave to allow employees to complete Hong Kong’s mandatory hotel quarantine, which the company is also paying for. Returning residents are required to quarantine for two to three weeks in designated hotels due to the city's strict entry policies.

Black Sheep restaurants are offering a unique benefit to their employees: nightly meals delivered to their quarantine accommodations. To be eligible for this generous perk, employees must have completed one full year of service upon their return.

A romantic holiday tale

In 1997, Dina Honour hosted her first Thanksgiving dinner at her New York home, where a British traveler named Richard Steggall unexpectedly joined her gathering. Just a month later, Dina traveled to England to spend Christmas with him, and 20 years later, they’re happily married.

The most stunning ‘spawning event’ you'll witness this year

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef recently experienced its annual coral spawning. Scientists observed the incredible event, where corals released eggs and sperm in a massive, synchronized release off the coast of Cairns, Queensland, on the night of November 23.