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Alaska Tourism Officials See an Opportunity in Coronavirus Alaska Tourism Officials See an Opportunity in Coronavirus
(8 days later)
As cases of the coronavirus continue to multiply in China, and concerns about the disease have led travelers to cancel upcoming trips to other Asian countries, tourism officials in Alaska see an opportunity.As cases of the coronavirus continue to multiply in China, and concerns about the disease have led travelers to cancel upcoming trips to other Asian countries, tourism officials in Alaska see an opportunity.
Officials with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Visit Anchorage, the tourism marketing organization for Alaska’s largest city, have begun lobbying airlines, travel agents and tour operators to increase airline service, reroute cruises and generally get the word out about the sights and attractions of the northernmost state.Officials with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Visit Anchorage, the tourism marketing organization for Alaska’s largest city, have begun lobbying airlines, travel agents and tour operators to increase airline service, reroute cruises and generally get the word out about the sights and attractions of the northernmost state.
The end goal? To draw visitors to Alaska who had wanted to go to Asia, as well as fill the hole created by Chinese tourists canceling trips to Alaska.The end goal? To draw visitors to Alaska who had wanted to go to Asia, as well as fill the hole created by Chinese tourists canceling trips to Alaska.
“Tour operators that were selling tour packages into Asia are seeing significant cancellations because of concerns about coronavirus, but people with those packages still want to travel somewhere,” said Jim Szczesniak, manager at the Anchorage airport. “What we’re working on is attracting the demand from those people who want to travel.”“Tour operators that were selling tour packages into Asia are seeing significant cancellations because of concerns about coronavirus, but people with those packages still want to travel somewhere,” said Jim Szczesniak, manager at the Anchorage airport. “What we’re working on is attracting the demand from those people who want to travel.”
The marketing initiative is geared toward travelers from Australia, Northern Europe and the continental United States.The marketing initiative is geared toward travelers from Australia, Northern Europe and the continental United States.
“We just want people who were going to China to think of Alaska as a temporary replacement for a trip they can rebook to China in the future,” said Julie Saupe, president and chief executive of Visit Anchorage.“We just want people who were going to China to think of Alaska as a temporary replacement for a trip they can rebook to China in the future,” said Julie Saupe, president and chief executive of Visit Anchorage.
Officials with the airport have been in conversations with United Airlines about increasing service from Newark; with Delta Air Lines about increasing service from Atlanta as well as Minneapolis; and with American Airlines from Dallas. Internationally, the airport is also in talks with several Asian airlines, including Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines and China Airlines, about increasing service from Asian countries that have not been affected by Covid-19.Officials with the airport have been in conversations with United Airlines about increasing service from Newark; with Delta Air Lines about increasing service from Atlanta as well as Minneapolis; and with American Airlines from Dallas. Internationally, the airport is also in talks with several Asian airlines, including Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines and China Airlines, about increasing service from Asian countries that have not been affected by Covid-19.
“Asia is really close to Alaska, about six hours from Tokyo to Anchorage, so there is a real opportunity for those carriers to reroute aircraft to Anchorage,” Mr. Szczesniak said.“Asia is really close to Alaska, about six hours from Tokyo to Anchorage, so there is a real opportunity for those carriers to reroute aircraft to Anchorage,” Mr. Szczesniak said.
Alaska isn’t the only tourist destination looking to lure tourists. An ad campaign attempts to convince Americans and Britons that Australia is a safe alternative, and in Japan, the “empty Kyoto” campaign promises travelers that if they visit the city now, they will have some of the most popular locations to themselves. In a Facebook video, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines encouraged people to travel around the country because “everything is safe in our country,” he said.Alaska isn’t the only tourist destination looking to lure tourists. An ad campaign attempts to convince Americans and Britons that Australia is a safe alternative, and in Japan, the “empty Kyoto” campaign promises travelers that if they visit the city now, they will have some of the most popular locations to themselves. In a Facebook video, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines encouraged people to travel around the country because “everything is safe in our country,” he said.
Visit Anchorage is working “a little more aggressively” with travel advisers, cruise providers and other tour operators to promote Alaska, Ms. Saupe said. The message is being sent through newsletters, in phone calls and at trade shows, she said.Visit Anchorage is working “a little more aggressively” with travel advisers, cruise providers and other tour operators to promote Alaska, Ms. Saupe said. The message is being sent through newsletters, in phone calls and at trade shows, she said.
The effort to bring more travelers to the state is also meant to make up, somewhat, for the drop in visitors from China.The effort to bring more travelers to the state is also meant to make up, somewhat, for the drop in visitors from China.
Since 2013, the number of Chinese tourists to Alaska has increased by more than 70 percent, according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, with the state’s national parks and the Northern Lights among the main draws. But in recent weeks, as many cities in China are in forced lockdowns, Alaska, like other tourist destinations across the world, has seen a drop in Chinese visitors.Since 2013, the number of Chinese tourists to Alaska has increased by more than 70 percent, according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, with the state’s national parks and the Northern Lights among the main draws. But in recent weeks, as many cities in China are in forced lockdowns, Alaska, like other tourist destinations across the world, has seen a drop in Chinese visitors.
A recent survey conducted by Travel Leaders Network, a network of North American travel agencies, found that about 30 percent of agencies reported “a high to moderate number of cancellations for China and other parts of Asia,” but few cancellations for trips to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska, supporting the expectation that people still want to travel, just not to Asia.A recent survey conducted by Travel Leaders Network, a network of North American travel agencies, found that about 30 percent of agencies reported “a high to moderate number of cancellations for China and other parts of Asia,” but few cancellations for trips to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska, supporting the expectation that people still want to travel, just not to Asia.
Updated June 24, 2020 Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
But not all travelers are sure they’ll want to get on a cruise ship that might have recently been in Asia.But not all travelers are sure they’ll want to get on a cruise ship that might have recently been in Asia.
Jennifer Walker, a travel adviser based in Illinois, said that some of her clients, who were interested in traveling to Alaska over the summer, decided to change their trip and travel to the East Coast of the United States because they were worried that the coronavirus could soon reach Alaska.Jennifer Walker, a travel adviser based in Illinois, said that some of her clients, who were interested in traveling to Alaska over the summer, decided to change their trip and travel to the East Coast of the United States because they were worried that the coronavirus could soon reach Alaska.
“Their thought is that coronavirus will likely move west to east in its spread, and when they see that the ship they were looking at has had issues like the Westerdam, they ask if the ship is clean,” Ms. Walker said. “I have to talk them off the ledge.”“Their thought is that coronavirus will likely move west to east in its spread, and when they see that the ship they were looking at has had issues like the Westerdam, they ask if the ship is clean,” Ms. Walker said. “I have to talk them off the ledge.”
Ms. Saupe said that people who visit Alaska from Europe and Australia tend to be in search of adventure, and they are usually willing to take a long trip, much like travelers who travel to Asia to backpack and see sites there.Ms. Saupe said that people who visit Alaska from Europe and Australia tend to be in search of adventure, and they are usually willing to take a long trip, much like travelers who travel to Asia to backpack and see sites there.
“If you’re interested in the Great Wall and ancient sites, Alaska also offers spectacular natural sites,” she said. “Between the adventurous traveler and the cruise traveler, we share a lot of the same characteristics that are appealing to folks who would be visiting China.”“If you’re interested in the Great Wall and ancient sites, Alaska also offers spectacular natural sites,” she said. “Between the adventurous traveler and the cruise traveler, we share a lot of the same characteristics that are appealing to folks who would be visiting China.”
52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Discover the best places to go in 2020, and find more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Discover the best places to go in 2020, and find more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.