Travel's Reopening and Coronavirus Recovery

The latest news about coronavirus recovery around the world and the reopening of travel and tourism in destinations around the world.

Skift Research subscribers can view the latest data about country-by-country recovery at the Skift Recovery Index. Data about public companies can be viewed at the Skift Health Score.

Skift Research

Skift Travel Health Index: March 2024 Highlights

The Travel Health Index in March 2024 shows an overall softening trend compared to the previous month, with the index dropping by 4 pp. However, some countries continue to showcase robust growth, with China, Japan, and Hong Kong at the forefront with double-digit growth levels.

Skift Travel Health Index: March 2024 Highlights

Hotels

How Housekeeper Concerns Drive Hotel May Day Rallies

Housekeepers are one of the key figures in Wednesday’s May Day rallies. While hotel wages have gone up, unions say that overworking is still an issue.

How Housekeeper Concerns Drive Hotel May Day Rallies

Tourism

San Francisco To Welcome Pandas and More Flights From China

San Francisco has experienced a rocky rebound since the pandemic, but promises of pandas and planes may uplift the city’s tourism.

San Francisco To Welcome Pandas and More Flights From China

Tourism

Inside Chicago’s New Neighborhood Travel Show

“The 77” video campaign is one way Choose Chicago is encouraging inclusive community tourism. And it’s a tasty one.

Inside Chicago’s New Neighborhood Travel Show

Tourism

Weak Yen Drives Japan’s Record-Breaking Tourist Arrivals

The depreciation of the Japanese yen against major currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar, has played a pivotal role in driving unprecedented levels of tourist arrivals to Japan.

Weak Yen Drives Japan’s Record-Breaking Tourist Arrivals

Airlines

Tokyo Soars Back Into Busiest Airport Ranking Amid Japanese Travel Boom

In 2023, air travel got pretty close to pre-pandemic levels. This thrust Tokyo Haneda and Seoul’s Incheon Airport back into the spotlight.

Tokyo Soars Back Into Busiest Airport Ranking Amid Japanese Travel Boom

Tourism

Chinese Tourists Continue Love Affair With Iceland, Kazakhstan is New Favorite

Think Iceland was an unexpected favorite for Chinese tourists, what would you say about Kazakhstan?

Chinese Tourists Continue Love Affair With Iceland, Kazakhstan is New Favorite

Business Travel

Business Travel Could Stage a Full Pandemic Recovery in 2024

Corporate travel remains below 2019 levels, but airlines and hotels see a steady recovery.

Business Travel Could Stage a Full Pandemic Recovery in 2024

Tourism

China Expands Visa-Free Entry List — Is Your Country Included?

Visa-free entry policies have long been recognized as potent tools for bolstering tourism numbers. China not only acknowledges the potential of this strategy, but is also keen to translate this into tangible results.

China Expands Visa-Free Entry List — Is Your Country Included?

Tourism

Chinese Travel to Middle East Bounces Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Chinese travelers are set to takeoff. But before booking, they're double-checking that visa policies are relaxed enough.

Chinese Travel to Middle East Bounces Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels