A Round-up of the Latest Travel News

Stay informed and up to date about what’s new in the world of travel. Travel News Round-Up Oct. 14, 2019 provides you with a quick summary and links to travel news of this past week.

This week’s headlines: Grand Bahama Island Recovery Continues; Southwest Ending Senior Discount; California Hotels Forced to Become Eco-Friendly; and Date Set for Venice Tourist Tax.

Grand Bahama Island Recovery

There’s still a long way to go, but Grand Bahama Island is slowly re-opening for business. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Lines began its two-night cruises from Palm Beach to the island offering guests the option to participate in organized humanitarian efforts. Some flights have returned to the island and hotels and resorts are beginning to reopen. If voluntourism is in your vocabulary and the Bahamas are on your list for a visit, this might be the time.

California Bans Small Toiletry Bottles

The governor of California signed a bill banning the use of small toiletry bottles in hotels effective in 2023. Some hotel chains have already begun their own eco-friendly initiatives. This bill forces others to join in the efforts to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Although not attractive, these are a few examples of what we have to look forward to.

Southwest Ending Senior Discount

Travel + Leisure Magazine reports that Southwest Airlines is discontinuing it’s Discounted Senior Fares as of December 11, 2019. The biggest advantage to the senior fare was that it allowed a full refund. From past experience I recall that I never purchased the senior fare; typically not the lowest fare. For me, the benefits of purchasing the senior fare were not enough to warrant the additional cost. However, if you are someone who used these fares, this could be a blow.

Venice Tourist Tax

Once again Venice, Italy has announced plans to reduce the impact of the high number of tourists visiting the city. Officials are planning on implementing a tourist tax, for ‘day visitors’ to the city. The tax also includes the islands of Murano and Burano. Tourists staying in hotels already pay the tax. The implementation date is set for July 1, 2020. The rate is said to be between 3 and 10 Euros per person per day depending on the season. Also announced, by 2020 visitors will have to make an online booking to enter the city.

There you have it, the Travel News Round-Up Oct 14, 2019.

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