Secures $500 million in additional investment from Viking

Secures $500 million in additional investment from Viking

Viking is getting an additional contribution of $500 million from its current minority shareholders, TPG Capital and the Investment Board of Canada Pension Plan.

"In the cruise industry, over 40 years have taught me that difficult times, such as these are often times of great innovation and opportunity as well said Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen. "This equity capital infusion will prepare us for future opportunities to continue to develop our company."

Among the new developments: Viking has built a full-scale Viking Sea PCR laboratory with plans to mount it on all ocean vessels. The new laboratory "has sufficient capacity for every crew member and guest to be tested daily, which provides flexibility to respond to COVID-19 prevalence levels around the world," Viking said.

According to MayoClinic.com, the PCR test identifies genetic material of the virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

A health care worker, also called a molecular examination, extracts fluid from a nasal or throat swab or from saliva. If analyzed onsite, findings can be available in minutes. ... When properly done by a health care professional, PCR tests are very precise, although certain instances can be missed by the fast test.

In August 2022, Viking is also preparing to begin a Mississippi River operation and is constructing two exploration ships targeted for delivery in 2022.

Comments

New comments are not allowed.

Popular posts from this blog

June 30 John Kirk to "Mexico Hotels - Above and Beyond the New Normal" Host Panel

Image
Mexico is open to global travelers. But what can be expected of you or your clients? Next Tuesday, TravelPulse Canada Editor in Chief John Kirk will moderate a panel entitled "Mexico Hotels - Above and Beyond the New Normal" at 3:30 pm EST on Tuesday, June 30. Register - Click here to register. The webinar will include some of the company's biggest names, who will speak about how Mexico reopens its doors and welcomes visitors, the latest country update, and how current health and safety protocols are treated by Mexico hotels. Kirk will also host a question and answer period, so agents will have the ability to chime in with their own questions. The panel participates Luis Barrios - Founder of the National Hotel Chains Association and President and CEO of City Express Hotels In the tourism business, Luis has over 35 years of professional career. Luis revolutionized the hotel industry in Mexico thanks to his revolutionary vision by establishing Hoteles City Express,
Read more

Reduce the number of COVID-19 tests conducted at the airport in Hawaii County

Image
Hawaii County tourism officials have reported a decrease in the number of COVID-19 tests being done after less than one percent returned positive. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said 12,636 post-flight tests were conducted on the island last Monday, according to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, and less than one percent were positive for coronavirus. Overall, 97 of the post-flight antigen tests administered returned positive, leading to additional tests of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The more precise test showed that 17 travelers were positive for COVID-19. As a result, a post-flight antigen test will only be conducted on 25 percent of travelers arriving at Onizuka International Airport in Kona. With random testing considered unethical, officials from Hawaii County are working on how to pick travelers for testing. "Kim told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, "I don't drink, but they tell me that it's the same idea as pulling over random cars for a DUI exam. "They'
Read more

Branded Airline and Hotel Google Search Volume Drops

Image
Unquestionably, the coronavirus has had a devastating impact on the airline and hotel industries, a fact that has been further evidenced in findings from SEMrush, a trends data analytic firm, which tracked Google search volume for the two travel segments. The company’s industry-wide, branded airline searches found a 17 percent decline from January through February. The hardest hit carriers were Bangkok Airways (-33 percent), China Eastern (-33 percent) and China Southern (-45 percent.) On a brighter note, searches were expected to increase on average by 16.5 percent in March, according to SEMrush. Meanwhile, airlines were extremely active on social media in February and March in order to conduct “damage control,” the company said. SEMrush also conducted a Twitter sentiment analysis to gauge reaction to each global carrier. The most tweeted airlines were, respectively, Delta Air Lines, Ryanair, EasyJet, American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qantas, Southwest Airlines and
Read more