Myriad Destination News October 2020

As the world begins to slowly and cautiously reopen, we’ve seen indications that there’s quite a bit of pent-up enthusiasm for international travel. A survey conducted by MMGY Myriad shows that travel advisors are reporting that international travel inquiries are accounting for about 25% of their business, with most looking to book within the next 12 months. 

While travelers may be eager to hop back on a long-haul flight, people may be looking for destinations where they can maintain their social distance. City destinations with busy street cafes and high-traffic museums may have been considered a must-do before the pandemic, but now travelers might be looking for more rural and remote getaways. Plenty of our destinations have perfect, lesser-known regions and towns that would provide travelers with a socially distant locale.

Read on below for some of our favorite low-traffic destinations, as well as new hotel openings, autumn festivals and more!

GO THE DISTANCE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCE:

• Shizuoka: Shizuoka is home to some of Japan’s widest sweeping green tea fields in the country. Find yourself far away from any city with a once-in-a-lifetime farm stay, where you can forget your worries of social interaction and focus instead on the day-to-day life of a green tea farmer. 
• Samoa: Opposite of Upolu (the most populated of Samoa’s two main islands), Savai’i is often referred to as the “real Samoa” where locals enjoy a laid-back, traditional way of life. Its larger size and lack of population make it an ideal place to break the everyday routine and truly immerse in Polynesian culture, while exploring incredibly pristine landscapes. Savai’i is a one-hour ferry ride from Upolu and its many natural attractions and archeological sites are connected through a well-paved road that encircles the entire island.
• Rwanda: Even in a densely populated country like Rwanda, social distancing is still possible through staying at small, boutique accommodations. Consider luxury accommodations with fewer rooms in order to keep the crowds at bay – like Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Magashi Tented Camp, or Bisate Lodge – all of which have fewer than 10 rooms on property.
• Papua New Guinea: In Papua New Guinea, it’s entirely possible to interact with more marine wildlife or bird species than other humans throughout your entire trip. For a socially-distanced trip, go beyond the capital of Port Moresby to a small village like those found in the highlands, or even a completely different island like the tiny volcanic island of Manus Province.
• Australia’s Northern Territory: In Australia’s NT, you really can’t get more remote than here. Even the Territory’s capital city of Darwin is the smallest capital city in Australia – but the NT is home to super remote locations where social distancing and remote vacationing isn’t just possible – is the norm. Check out small boutique hotels like Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, or Banubanu Beach Retreat: two places where the remote location is just part of the luxury experience.
• Kyoto: While Kyoto is certainly one of Japan’s largest cities, that doesn’t mean there’s not lesser-traveled areas of the cities that can provide a bucket list Kyoto experience without the crowds. Check out beautiful and lesser-known temples like Honsen-in Temple or Kifune-jinja Shrine for smaller crowds – and if you just have to see sites like the famous Fushimi Inari, Kyoto City has some tips on how to keep your social distance in Kyoto.
• Kinosaki: While one of the most popular onsen (hot spring) destinations in Japan, Kinosaki is still a small town with plenty of room to roam. The town’s population is just shy of 3,800, and with seven public onsens and even more private onsens within local hotels and ryokans that can only be used by guests, you can rest assured that you won’t be bumping shoulders with strangers as you might in any big city. Here, you can relax and soak away your worries while keeping your distance from others. 
• Dominica: With fewer than 60,000 visitors a year, Dominica is one of the least-crowded and most untouched Caribbean islands travelers can visit. While the entire island guarantees a tranquil and secluded retreat, the northeast area of Dominica is an excellent choice for an even quieter stay away from it all. This area boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Dominica, and other natural wonders like the Chaudiere Pool and the Red Rocks observation deck. Travelers will only find smaller, boutique hotels here, like Wanderlust Caribbean and Pagua Bay House, both a short drive away from the charming village of Calibishie where one can grab an authentic Caribbean meal by the ocean, followed by dessert at the historic Pointe Baptiste Chocolate Factory. 

NEW HOTEL OPENINGS (AND REOPENINGS):

• Grand Lisboa Palace, Macao: SJM Holdings’ Grand Lisboa Palace, a stunning integrated resort in Macao’s Cotai Area is slated to open this December. Offering three luxury boutique hotels to choose from – the Lisboa Palace Hotel, Palazzo Versace Macau and Karl Lagerfeld Hotel – along with Michelin-starred restaurants, shopping malls and five-star entertainment options, the Grand Lisboa Palace will be sure to impress.
• Royal River Luxury Hotel, Tenerife: Located in the south of Tenerife with magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Costa Adeje Golf Course, Royal River Luxury Hotel is slated to open December 15, 2020. The five-star resort is made up of a total of fifty units: 29 River Suites, 17 villas with private swimming pools and 4 luxurious African-style villas sitting on top of a lagoon. Outstanding among the facilities are a central swimming-pool with cocoon style hammocks, an infinity pool in the hotel’s solarium that is perfect to enjoy the lovely Tenerife sunsets, and a hammam-type spa with a sauna.
• New hotels and property expansions in Dominica: The six-star, all-villa rainforest resort Secret Bay is gearing up for a huge expansion to go from six to 42 villas throughout the next few years. Four of them will be ready by November 2020, bringing Secret Bay’s inventory to a total of 10 luxury villas. Jungle Bay, the island’s sanctuary for well-being, will also be completing a property expansion with an additional 59 villas by the end of 2020. A new restaurant and a second yoga studio are included in the plans. The restaurant will be perched on the property’s hillside and will boast spectacular views of the Soufriere-Scott’s Head Marine Reserve. Additional luxury accommodations are still underway, these include the Anichi Resort & Spa(tentatively opening towards the end of 2021), Tranquility Beach (2022) and Sanctuary Eco Resort & Spa.

DESTINATION NEWS:

• A new hiking trail in Tenerife: Tenerife’s Route 040 officially reopened on October 8. The new route incorporates old roads that were previously in disuse and has been conditioned for year-long access. Starting on the beach of El Socorro in Los Realejos and ending at the peak of Mount Teide, the hiking trail is a sea-to-mountain endeavor that goes from 39 ft above sea level to nearly 13,000 over the course of 18 miles. Route 040 is the most varied route in Spain and, while challenging, it can be done in one day.
  
• Caribbean Airlines now servicing Dominica: Beginning Sept. 2020, Caribbean Airlines will be servicing Dominica with a new route to and from Barbados. The established route will allow for easy one-week visits to Dominica, providing same day connections from the U.S. into Dominica on Saturdays and outbound service to the U.S. on Sundays. Dominica’s borders are currently open to international travelers, with a 5-day quarantine restriction for those traveling from the United States. More details on travel safety guidelines are outlined here. 

ANNUAL FESTIVALS:

• Macao Light Festival 2020 “Light Carnival:” Lighting up Macao now through October 31, this year’s Macao Light Festival will be one of the first major public events hosted in Macao in recent months. The festival will present light installations and interactive games at 12 outdoor locations throughout Macao. U.S. fans can catch a glimpse of the magical installations via social media @MacaoUSA.
• 67th Macau Grand Prix: Rev your engines! From November 19 – 22, 2020 the 67th Macau Grand Prix will take over Macao. Catch a preview of the event here on the MGTO USA Youtube channel, with more content to come via Instagram.

MYRIAD PR CLIENTS:

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