(CNN) For Disney World's most ardent fans, tomorrow is indeed only a day away.

Disney World is the biggest of big deals in the theme park universe. And the eyes of the theme park world will be on it this weekend.

1. Reservations and capacity

Two of Walt Disney World Resort's parks are set to reopen Saturday: Magic Kingdom Park (pictured) and Disney's Animal Kingdom. EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios are slated to reopen on July 15.

Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort

Guests must follow four steps to use the system:

1. Get a valid park admission linked to a Disney account you've set up online.2. Register the members of your party.3. Select a date and a park to attend.4. Finally, review and confirm your reservations.

For instance, at 1 p.m. ET Friday, there were no parks available for annual passholders in July. But August had some availability, especially on weekdays late in the month. People already holding theme park tickets or who have a Disney Resort reservation still have openings and options in July. Right now, spots for Hollywood Studios in July are particularly hard to come by.

As the situation is in constant flux, you might need patience and flexibility at first. Or you might get lucky and snag your top choices right away.

CNN Travel will be looking at how the new system works and what level of crowds Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom attract on Saturday and beyond.

Florida has seen some of sharpest spikes in Covid-19 cases in the United States and the world recently. No one can predict how that might affect things in coming weeks.

2. Temperature screenings

All guests will be required to a undergo temperature screening before entering a theme park at Walt Disney World Resort.

David Roark/Walt Disney World Resort

By now, it should be no surprise to theme park guests that they'll undergo a temperature screening before being allowed in. Here's what Disney says to expect:

"All guests will be required to undergo temperature screenings prior to entering a theme park. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance.

"Those who again measure 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party," Disney said.

Schaffner said that back-up reading should prevent most problems.

For someone who does pop the 100.4 limit, he said "if that person goes under tent, gets a cool drink, and is permitted to rest, they'll cool down rapidly enough to past the test -- assuming they are not ill and do not have an infection."

Disney told CNN Travel on Thursday that secondary screenings take place in a cooler, tented area several minutes after the initial reading.

Dr. Shannon Hopson, an endocrinologist in Corvallis, Oregon, shared her second opinion: "You can get an increased body temperature from being overly hot, but I wouldn't think this would be particularly common."

Worried anyway?

Hopson's advice is to make sure you're well-hydrated before you get in line and shield your face with a hat or a cap with a big brim. She also said set your appointment for a morning arrival if you can so you'll arrive when it's cooler.

Hopson is actually more worried about potential Covid-19 carriers that temperature screenings won't catch.

"The biggest problem with temperature screenings is that they can provide a false sense of security. They're everywhere. We do them for patients and all staff at my office, but they only catch the sick people," Hopson said. "We know that asymptomatic carriers can spread coronavirus as well as sick people, so there's just no way to screen those people out."

We'll be watching how temperature checks are going -- and how the public reacts to them.

3. Dining

Guests at Disney's Riviera Resort can see Minnie, Mickey and the gang during breakfast at Topolino's Terrace -- Flavors of the Riviera, the resort's rooftop restaurant. During the phased reopening, characters will maintain proper physical distancing while parading through the restaurant.

Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort

Like restaurants anywhere else, Disney has had to upend its normal dining experience and find new ways to deliver food and drinks to hungry and thirsty guests.

In a news release, Disney said "new measures promoting health and well-being will be implemented." You can expect to see "enhanced cleaning in seating, dining and common areas, as well as changes to self-serve options."

-- You'll need a face covering when entering and leaving dine-in restaurants, but obviously they can be removed when you're seated and you're ready to eat.

-- If you're a day guest, you'll absolutely need a reservation for dining at a Disney Resort restaurant. And if you're an overnight guest, it's highly recommended.

-- Wherever possible, Disney is offering cashless and contactless exchanges.

4. Character interactions

Mickey Mouse will star in the "Mickey and Friends Cavalcade" when Magic Kingdom Park reopens.

Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World Resort

Perhaps the most cherished memories from a Disney visit are children rushing with mad joy into the arms of a beloved character. Unfortunately, it's a look-but-don't-touch policy for character interactions with Mickey and his pals during the pandemic.

But Disney will be making it a visual spectacle.

In the Magic Kingdom, "characters will cavalcade along the traditional parade route throughout the day." And over at Animal Kingdom, guests might witness "Disney characters setting sail down Discovery River on special boats, such as Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pocahontas and others."

We'll be keeping an eye out for how these encounters go. Will the kiddies still enjoy these sightings and be able to live without the hugs?

5. Rides and lines

Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing in attraction queues. And rides won't be filled to capacity.

Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort

So there's not much point in limiting park capacity, requiring masks and keeping characters apart from guests and then letting folks bunch up in attraction lines and on the rides themselves.

To that end, you'll be seeing signs for social distancing in queues. And rides will be sent out with empty seats, with only people in the same party bunched up together.

In its news release, Disney said it expects to open up very popular attractions on Saturday such as Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Tremaine says to keep in mind there are no Fast Passes for now in the Magic Kingdom. Rides are first-come, first-served.

We'll be watching how the combo of fewer people in the park vs. social distancing on the rides plays out. Will waits be shorter, longer or about the same?

6. The Disney experience during the pandemic

Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing outside retail shops. How will such measures go over?

David Roark/Walt Disney World Resort

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the reopening will be the reaction of the guests to all the new safety measures. After all, a July 2020 visit is going to be very different than what guests enjoyed pre-pandemic.

Tremaine said, "The safety measures at Universal Studios and Dollywood [in Tennessee] haven't put much of a dent in my enjoyment of the experience. Hand sanitizer before rides and distancing between parties isn't that hard to manage."

But what about a face mask? And in a sticky Orlando summer, too.

"It definitely isn't ideal to have to wear a mask right now. I know Disney die-hards who say they won't go back until they don't have to wear masks. But I think for a lot of people, we're willing to put up with the heat and inconvenience and discomfort of a mask if it means we get to be somewhere we love," she said.

"It's been a really bad few months. If a mask is the tradeoff for a little bit of pixie dust in our lives, so be it."

Disney has confirmed they are designating specific areas where families can take a break and take off their masks.

"It's great time to point out that we, as theme park guests, often don't realize how much work is going on behind the scenes at the entertainment attractions that we visit," Lewison said. "Even the smaller regional amusement parks are pretty complex operations, and Covid has added another layer of intense complexity over what is already a complicated operation."

He said guests should keep in mind that "theme park employees also have to be temperature-checked, social distance from each other, wear masks and take meals and breaks in safe situations. They're also in unfamiliar circumstances. Parks now have a trickier balance between their permitted capacities and visitor demand and staffing."

His assessment of their efforts?

"What I've seen is that the parks have taken on a huge challenge and they're doing an amazing job with it in a very uncertain new environment."

Lewison had some advice for people going Saturday and beyond.

The "top tip is always: Make sure that you carefully follow all park rules and regulations, from signage to cast member instructions. If you're unsure, ask a cast member."

He said to be prepared for some attractions to not be available. As for the rides that are operating, guests should also expect to see some changes.

In the end, it's all about preparation, said Lewison.

"Make sure you have a comfortable mask, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, hand sanitizer (just in case, although parks have done a lot to provide it), reservations, phone charger, water ... all the usual stuff that improves your day at a theme park."

Finally -- "Have fun! You're one of the lucky few at a theme park, and I'm jealous!"

CNN's Natasha Chen contributed to this report.

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Disney World's July 11 reopening: 6 things to watch - CNN

HONOLULU, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hotels and Resorts ofHalekulani, the hotel development and management division of Honolulu-basedHalekulaniCorporation,is pleased to announce that Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani and Halekulani have been named among the top Resort Hotels in Hawaii by the Travel + Leisure 2020 World's Best Awards, with Halepuna Waikiki receiving the coveted title of the No. 1 Resort Hotel in Hawaii. This announcement marks the first year that both properties have received the prestigious award.

"We are truly humbled to have been recognized with this esteemed award for both Halekulani and Halepuna Waikiki, especially as it comes directly from Travel + Leisure readers," said Peter Shaindlin, Chief Operating Officer of Halekulani Corporation. "Witnessing the success and evolution of our legendary Halekulani brand, both in Hawaii and beyond, has been a gratifying experience and serves as a true testament to the dedication of our exceptional staff who work hard each day to create unforgettable guest experiences."

Situated across from its iconic sister property Halekulani, Halepuna Waikiki debuted in October 2019 as the first luxury boutique hotel in Waikiki. Every experience at Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani has been designed to embody and reflect the spirit of Halekulani and bring "The House of Welcoming Waters" to life.Incorporating the culture of Hawai'i, the aloha spirit of the islands and philosophy of Halekulani, Halepuna Waikiki is a refined retreat where Hawaiian traditions, warm, engaging service and fine design enrich every guest room, dining experience and amenity.

Halekulani, long recognized around the world as one of the finest independent luxury hotels, has received more than 500 accolades, awards and honoraria since its inception in 1984. In addition to luxurious accommodations overlooking Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach, Halekulani is home to the award-winning SpaHalekulani and an array of dining experiences considered to be among the best on the island, including La Mer, Hawaii's only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star restaurant, Orchids and House Without A Key. With a strong commitment to local arts and culture, guests of Halekulani receive exclusive access to the "For You, Everything" program, which provides special and complimentary admission to some of Oahu's finest art and cultural venues and events.

The Hotels and Resorts of Halekulani portfolio also includesHalekulani Okinawa, which opened in July 2019 on the main island of Okinawa, Japan and has already been named an award-winning hotel. Locatedon the coastline within the Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Halekulani Okinawa offers travelers a true resort experience set among a lush natural landscape where guests can experience the rich culture and heritage of the region through the hotel's immersive programming that explores the island's culture, heritage and way of life.

Every year, Travel + Leisure showcases the top travel destinations and companies around the globe as rated by its readers as the World's Best. Readers share their favorite cities, hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, and experiences around the world, culminating in the World's Best list, and earning a spot is considered a high honor in the hotel industry. Halepuna Waikiki and Halekulani were rated based on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and overall value. The 2020 World's Best Awards lists, as well as survey methodology, are currently featured on http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest and will appear in the August issue of Travel + Leisure.

For more information, please visit http://www.halepuna.com and http://www.halekulani.com.

AboutHalekulaniCorporationHonolulu basedHalekulaniCorporation owns and operatesHalekulani, the internationally acclaimed luxury hotel in Waikiki, as well as Halepuna Waikiki byHalekulani, formerly the Waikiki Parc hotel.Halekulanirepresents a hospitality legacy of unique and iconic stature and, since its modern incarnation in 1984,Halekulanihas received more than 500 accolades, awards and honoraria, and is consistently ranked among the world's finest hotels. In 1987,HalekulaniCorporation developed Waikiki Parc hotel, a stylish boutique hotel that provided its guests with a sophisticated and contemporary hotel sensibility combined with personalized service and innovative guest experiences.HalekulaniCorporation recently transformed the Waikiki Parc hotel intoHalepuna Waikiki byHalekulani, which defines a new legacy of excellence and experience in hospitality, steeped in local culture and tradition. Offering a casual yet refined urban retreat experience, Halepuna Waikiki, Honolulu's only urban retreat,is an inspiring and gratifying haven of modernity and refinement where guests can escape, relax, restore and reconnect with the spirit of wellbeing.Hotels & Resorts ofHalekulaniis responsible for the development,expansionand management of theHalekulaniand Halepuna luxury brands.

AboutHalekulaniSince its inception in 1984,Halekulani("House Befitting Heaven") has become Hawaii's most acclaimed hotel, renowned as one of the world's finestindependent luxury hotels having received more than 500 accolades, awards and honoraria. Legendary for its luxurious accommodations, superlative dining and, according to a recent Travel + Leisure readers' poll, the "Best Service in North America," as well as having received the Reader's Choice Award as the #1 Hotel In Hawaii, the 453-room icon has long served as the destination of choice for celebrities, dignitaries, and corporate leaders the world over. Halekulaniis home to SpaHalekulani, voted #2 "Best Spa in the Country" by Conde Nast Traveler, as well as House Without A Key, Lewers Lounge, Orchids and La Mer,Hawaii'slongest consecutively earned recipient of the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star restaurant awards designation for more than a quarter century. Since its inception,Halekulanihas maintained a strong commitment to arts and culture through exclusive alliances withOahu'smost iconic cultural venues. Whether lounging by its world-famous orchid pool, designed with 1.2 million pieces of imported South African glass tiles, or arranging exclusive access to Oahu's most prominent arts and cultural events and experiences,Halekulaniis steadfastly committed to providing guests and patrons alike with consummate and gracious service in the tradition of Hawaiian hospitality.Halekulaniis a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and has a longstanding partnership with Japan's legendary luxury hotel group, Imperial Hotel, Ltd., which encompasses the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, Imperial Hotel Osaka and the Kamikochi Imperial Hotel. For further information, please visitwww.halekulani.com.

About Halepuna Waikiki ByHalekulaniFrom the Hawaiian "Hale" ("House") and Puna ("Spring"), Halepuna Waikiki ("The House of Welcoming Waters"), Halepuna Waikiki byHalekulanidefines a new legacy of excellence and experience in hospitality, steeped in local culture and tradition. Offering a casual yet refined urban resort experience, Halepuna Waikiki, Honolulu's only boutique urban retreat, is an inspiring and gratifying haven of modernity and refinement where guests can escape, relax, restore and reconnect with the spirit of wellbeing. The 23-floor Halepuna Waikiki features natural elements inspired byHalekulani's subtle, light and airy interiors, with custom light fixtures, teak finishes, vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and works of art curated by the Honolulu Museum of Art. Its 284 intimate and sundrenched rooms and suites, with views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu's mountain range, have been designed for the most discerning international guests, with idyllic comfort, expansive views and enticing lanais for lounging. The eighth floor at Halepuna Waikiki has been transformed into a very special oasis featuring a heated Infinity Pool, Jacuzzi, poolside bar, spacious sun deck with private cabanas, beautifully landscaped gardens with intimate spaces for personal retreats, and a state-of-the-art fitness studio with equipment from ARTIS by TechnoGym. Adjacent to the lobby is theHalekulaniBakery & Restaurant, the hotel's full service, all day dining, restaurant with an open-air kitchen and outdoor terrace surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, which features a locally-inspired menu focusing on indigenous ingredients, as well as a glass enclosed Chocolate Room where guests can see delectable treats being made.Halepuna Waikiki byHalekulaniis a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.For more information, please visitwww.halepuna.com.

SOURCE Halekulani Corporation

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Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani Recognized by Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards" For Excellence In Luxury Hospitality - PRNewswire

The coronavirus pandemic and accompanying market downturn have left mergers and acquisitions in something of a quarantine themselves. Such activity has slowed to a crawl, and uncertainty reigns: What will the landscape look like when this crisis subsides? Where will opportunities arise? Is a recession likelyor has a depression already arrived?

Certainly there are those who have managed to make hay, despite the slump. Witness, for example, the $456 million deal between Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. government, and the accompanying hope that the pharmaceutical giant can fast-track a Covid-19 vaccine. But overall the picture is bleak. According to Forbes, worldwide M&A was down 35 percent from the last quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2020, and 39 percent in the U.S. The year-over-year decreases were 25 and 50 percent, respectively.

Particularly notable were Xerox backing out of a $35 billion deal to acquire HP, and Apollo Global Management withdrawing its $8.5 billion bid to acquire the broadcasting company Tegna Inc. and aerospace suppliers Woodward and Hexcel mutually agreeing to terminate their $6.4 billion merger. Indeed, a growing list of private equity firms have walked away from deals signed before the pandemic hit. In the PE space, we have seen financial sponsors dump at least a half-dozen deals so far in 2020 in the U.S. alone.

Nate Pund, a managing director for Houlihan Lokeys consumer, food and retail group, told SGB Executive that M&A has, in effect, come to a halt while companies assess the damage the crisis has incurred, and what might lie ahead. The latter is obviously a very tough call. There are those who believe the world is already in a recession, and certainly there are many indications that that is the case: Company valuations have plummeted, unemployment has spiked and consumers are buying little more than bread, milk and eggs.

Will the virus fade with the warm weather, as some have predicted? Will the U.S. be able to restart its economy as a result? Its all very unclear, as Pund said:

Uncertainty is the killer of everything. When you dont have any sense of the world, it is very difficult to make an informed decision. If you have bad news, you can deal with that. If you have good news, you can deal with that. But when you have uncertain news, you dont know what to do.

Some, like BNP Paribas M&A head Bruno Villard, believe the pandemic will have a lasting effect on the worldwide economic picture. As he told Bloomberg, It will not be just a blip in deals flow. But David Ludwig, Goldman Sachs head of Americas Equity Capital Markets, is more optimistic, telling that same outlet that once the threat diminishes, the rally will come in a reasonable period of time.

In the aftermath of past global crisesat least those that can be recalled in the memories of current business leadersthe deal economy was eaten by the bears only to run again with the bulls, such as was witnessed after the bursting of the Internet bubble in 2000 and the Great Recession of 2008-2009. As in past global crises, not knowing what is going to happen next in the markets has already contributed to buyers renegotiating, delaying, deferring or outright cancelling their M&A deals. Whats different this time around is that the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic is primarily on the commercial economy rather than the financial system, leaving a big question mark as to the viability of target businesses (if not the potential buyers themselves).

The risk for buyers to proceed to do a deal in the short term is high, but there are many more factors one has to take into account to get a deal done. In addition to price and other economic terms, there are real new due diligence issues that have to be investigated, if you can even conduct a due diligence investigation in this environment, and one has to assess what debt financing will be available, and on what terms (if at all), and how much additional time to build in to any process for obtaining necessary regulatory and other third-party approvals for deals.

Johnson & Johnson is on track to begin human testing on a coronavirus vaccine this fall, with the hope that it can release 600 million to 800 million doses in early 2021. In the meantime, the company readjusted its short-term financial goals, announcing on April 14 that its forecasted 2020 revenue is expected to be between $77.5 billion and $80.5 billion, down from its previous prediction of $85.4 billion to $86.2 billion. Stock dividends and investor confidence nonetheless remained high, and obviously the company believes better things are in store if it can meet demand for the vaccine.

There are other companies with vaccines in the pipeline, too. Chillingly, there were reports in mid-April that the virus is mutating, though researchers were still confident that those drugs currently in development would be effective.

Bloomberg noted that the crisis has resulted in other healthcare deals, like Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.s $11.5 billion acquisition of Qiagen NV, which makes testing kits. Bloomberg also pointed out that infrastructure deals remain very much on the table because cash flow is never an issue in that space and the contracts tend to be of the multiyear variety.

An interesting side note is that some deals, notably Morgan Stanleys $13 billion acquisition of the discount brokerage E-Trade, included specific provisions preventing either party from invoking the coronavirus outbreak as a reason to renegotiate. Typically such agreements are subject to material adverse effect (MAE) qualifiers, under which either party might be freed from their obligations if an unforeseen event has a long-term impact on a companys potential. But according to the terms of this deal, the pandemic could not be a reason to trigger an MAE.

Meanwhile, some sellers are pushing backand hard. After The Carlyle Group and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC abandoned an agreement signed in December 2019 to make a 20% stake in American Express Global Business Travel at a $5 billion enterprise value, Carlyle claimed that AMEX had breached the no MAE clause, which did not have a specific carveout in case of a global pandemic. AMEXs well capitalized investors, including Certares Management and Qatar Investment Authority, did not take this lying down, firing back with a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court to force Carlyle to complete the deal and to expedite a trial to require the same.

M&A opportunities tend to arise from financial crises, as companies fortunes wane and they begin looking to sell. And certainly there are always plenty of savvy buyers circling overhead, eager to take advantage of diminished valuations. Gap acquired Athleta in 2008 during the Great Recessio, and Phillips-Van Heusen acquired Tommy Hilfiger immediately after, in 2010.

The same thing can be expected to happen now. Private equity firms and hedge funds will likely lead the charge on such rescue deals, and certainly they have the resources; Bloomberg estimated that PE firms alone have some $2 trillion at their disposal. They might not swoop in immediately, as they have to tidy up their own portfolios, but they will surely be on the case.

Their targets will no doubt be in the travel, lodging and entertainment sectors, which have taken a major hit during the pandemic with shelter-in-place orders the norm. The World Travel and Tourism Council is predicting a loss of 75 million jobs and $2.1 trillion in revenue, and the U.S. Travel Association projects that 4.6 million people will lose their jobs through May alone. Marriott, meanwhile, serves as an example of how hard-hit the lodging industry has been; that chain had seen a 75 percent reduction in revenue as of early April, a shortfall that the U.S. governments stimulus package can only begin to address.

Also ripe for M&A are industries looking to repair supply chains, once the pandemic is over. Bloomberg pointed to the automotive sector, for example, as one that might be looking to become less dependent on foreign sources for various components.

But again, there are caveats about such things as how a target companys valuation might be impacted by the pandemic (especially given supply-chain disruption) and how decisions made between signing and closing might affect an agreement, given that they are made during such a tumultuous time.

The due diligence process has also been dramatically altered. On-site visits and in-person meetings have taken a backseat to video conference calls, not to mention the trickiness involved with obtaining original documentation in the current climate. Regulatory matters will also be elongated, which may require extending the drop-dead date featured in all agreements (i.e., the date after which either party may walk away from the deal as a result of unforeseen delays).

But there is great uncertainty about all this, as there is with the overall picture, and that uncertainty is as pervasive in the M&A space as any other. The best that can be said is that CEOs who are alert for opportunities, especially in the healthcare and travel sectors, stand to benefit the most.

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The Pandemics Impact On M&AAnd What Will Happen Next - Chief Executive Group

Beginning July 13, KidSenses will begin hosting themed, curriculum aligned summer camps for children rising into Kindergarten through the 5th grade. From animals to world travel, there is something exciting for your child to learn about and enjoy. All materials will be provided by the museum as well as passes to local activity and food venues that are able to safely operate under current regulations.

As in previous years, two styles of camps will be offered. Mini camps provide approximately 20 hours of educational fun, while full camps provide up to 40 hours. Prerecorded and live videos will guide your family through all the activities. However, do not feel as if your child has to complete all the activities within the camp week. All the videos will be accessible to registrants even after the camps end, meaning camp activities can continue throughout the entire summer if that works best for your family.

Kindergartners through 2nd graders can explore a downtown environment, searching for clues to solve the mystery of The KidSenses Caper, or they can explore the cultures of the world while eating tasty foreign snacks! 3rd through 5th graders can experience the wild world of animals and the habitats in which they live, or they can blast off with rockets and get messy with slime!

During each camp week, we will host our Fun Fridays for a live, in person activity where campers can participate in activities they cant do at home. Whether its meeting animal ambassadors or eating liquid nitrogen ice cream, it will be an adventure! Fun Friday activities will be scheduled based on registration to ensure that we can adhere to social distancing guidelines.

If your child is one of the first 15 to sign up for each camp, they will receive a free summer camp T-shirt! For the full schedule and details on registration, visit Kidsenses.org/camps.

Due to State guidelines, KidSenses Childrens Interactive Museum is currently closed. However, we are actively posting simple, hands-on activities on our Facebook page. Visit http://www.kidsenses.org or http://www.factorymuseum.org for more information.

Submitted by Marcia Monahan

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KidSenses to hosts virtual summer camps - The Tryon Daily Bulletin - Tryon Daily Bulletin

SEATTLE - Summer travel inarguably looks different this summer, and the latest report from Expedia.com sheds light on the emerging priorities and behaviors of Americans looking to get away. Leveraging search and demand data and a national poll of 1,000+ Americans, results from the report include:

"People miss travel, they have vacation days to use and they also want to stay safe," says Senior Director of PR and Social for Expedia.com, Nisreene Atassi. "Given how quickly the advice and restrictions are changing, one of our main priorities at Expedia is making sure our customers have the information they need to navigate this summer travel season."

Read on for more insights and tips from the Expedia 2020 Summer Travel Report.

Summer travelers staying closer to home

Last-minute getaways are also on the rise, with more travelers booking trips 0-7 days out this summer than in previous years.

"While the desire to get away is still going strong for many of us, how and where we're choosing to go this summer looks different," says Atassi. "Beaches and national parks remain popular, but more Americans are choosing destinations that are closer to home and drivable, versus going somewhere more exotic. Interestingly, we've seen that travelers are making these plans at the last minute. Things are so unpredictable right now with COVID-19, so it's possible that travelers feel more comfortable making travel plans for the near future vs. planning too far ahead."

Safety first: road trips seen as the safest way to get away this summer

As travelers venture away from home and destinations open back up to tourism, health and safety takes priority over price when trip-planning. 72 percent of survey respondents said they're opting for a road trip this summer because it feels safer than flying, and more people listed health and safety (72%) and avoiding crowds (68%) as top concerns over budget (60%). In response to these concerns, the industry is rolling out new sanitation measures to help minimize risks. Expedia displays these hygiene amenities on the site so travelers can feel comfortable leaving home; they'll know whether a hotel property has enhanced cleaning processes or if an airline requires passengers to wear face masks.

Travelers can also message their hotel or vacation rental right from the Expedia mobile app and ask for more info on their policies, request special arrangements or check whether certain amenities like the pool or spa are going to be open.

Flexibility

To make it easier to search for flexible options, Expedia lets travelers filter by hotels that offer free cancellation and airlines that are waiving any change fees for future bookings.

"People often choose non-refundable rates because they're generally cheaper, but with so many destinations eager to welcome back tourists it's more realistic than ever to find a great value without having to sacrifice flexibility," says Atassi.

Planning tips and tricks

For more information and inspiration on trip planning, check out the Expedia Viewfinder Blog.

About Expedia.comExpedia.com is one of the world's largest full-service travel sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of top vacation destinations, affordable airfare, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel apps.

2020 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Airplane logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CST# 2029030-50.

Visit our web site https://www.expedia.com/ or use our mobile app to book cheap flights and hotels.

1Data based on interest or demand on Expedia.com during June 2020 for travel between June 1 - September 7, 2020 compared to the same time periods in 2019.

2Survey commissioned by Expedia and conducted by Survey Monkey, polling 1,077 respondents, aged 18+, located in the U.S.

Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE) is the world's travel platform. We help knock down the barriers to travel, making it easier, more enjoyable, more attainable and more accessible. We are here to bring the world within reach for customers and partners around the globe. We leverage our platform and technology capabilities across an extensive portfolio of businesses and brands to orchestrate the movement of people and the delivery of travel experiences on both a local and global basis. Our family of travel brands includes: Brand Expedia, Hotels.com, Expedia Partner Solutions, Vrbo, Egencia, trivago, HomeAway, Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire, Wotif, ebookers, CheapTickets, Expedia Group Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert, CarRentals.com, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Classic Vacations, Traveldoo, VacationRentals.com and SilverRail.

2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50

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Expedia 2020 Summer Travel Report Reveals Same-State Stays, Road Trips and Flexibility Pave the Way to Recovery - Hospitality Net

This research report studies and gauges through the current market forces that replicate growth trajectory and holistic growth trends.

Aligning with changing market scenario in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak , this in-depth research offering shares a clear perspective of resultant output that tend to directly impact the overall growth trajectory of the Desert Tourism market.

This thoroughly compiled research output shares relevant details on overall industry production chain amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.Besides assessing details pertaining to production, distribution and sales value chain, this detailed research output on the Desert Tourism market specifically highlights crucial developments across regions and vital countries, also lending a decisive understanding of the upcoming development scenario likely to be witnessed in the Desert Tourism market in the near future.

This study covers following key players:Expedia GroupBooking Holdings (Priceline Group)China TravelChina CYTS Tours HoldingAmerican Express Global Business Travel (GBT)BCD GroupTravel Leaders GroupFareportalAAA TravelCorporate Travel ManagementTravel and TransportAlTour InternationalDirect TravelWorld Travel Inc.Omega World TravelFroschJTB CorporationOvation Travel GroupWorld Travel HoldingsTUI GroupNatural Habitat AdventuresAbercrombie & Kent GroupInnerAsia TravelsButterfield & Robinson

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In this latest research publication on the Desert Tourism market, a thorough overview of the current market scenario has been portrayed, in a bid to aid market participants, stakeholders, research analysts, industry veterans and the like to borrow insightful cues from this ready-to-use market research report, thus influencing a definitive business discretion.

The aim of the report is to equip relevant players in deciphering essential cues about the various real-time market based developments, also drawing significant references from historical data, to eventually present a highly effective market forecast and prediction, favoring sustainable stance and impeccable revenue flow despite challenges such as sudden pandemic, interrupted production and disrupted sales channel in the Desert Tourism market.

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Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Direct-market Desert TourismExperience and Education Desert TourismEvent and Recreation Desert Tourism

Market segment by Application, split into Below 30 Years Old30-40 Years Old40-50 Years OldAbove 50 Years Old

The report is targeted to offer report readers with essential data favoring a seamless interpretation of the Desert Tourism market.Therefore, to enable and influence a flawless market specific business decision, aligning with the best industry practices, this specificresearch report on the Desert Tourism market also lends a systematic rundown on vital growth triggering elements comprising market opportunities, persistent market obstacles and challenges, also featuring a comprehensive outlook of various drivers and threats that eventually influence the growth trajectory in the Desert Tourism market.

Some Major TOC Points:1 Report Overview2 Global Growth Trends3 Market Share by Key Players4 Breakdown Data by Type and ApplicationContinued

The report also incorporates ample understanding on numerous analytical practices such as SWOT and PESTEL analysis to source optimum profit resources in Desert Tourism market.

Besides presenting a discerning overview of the historical and current market specific developments, inclined to aid a future-ready business decision, this well compiled research report on the Desert Tourism market also presents vital details on various industry best practices comprising SWOT and PESTEL analysis to adequately locate and maneuver profit scope.The report in its subsequent sections also portrays a detailed overview of competition spectrum, profiling leading players and their mindful business decisions, influencing growth in the Desert Tourism market.

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Global Desert Tourism Market Projected to Reach USD XX.XX billion by 2025- Expedia Group, Booking Holdings (Priceline Group), China Travel, China CYTS...