The US is one of more than 50 countries bringing in stricter border controls to combat Omicron, while the variant is also undermining the travel industry’s recovery from the Covid crisis.

Closer to home, some major firms are opting for smaller Christmas parties this month in response to the new variant. Meanwhile, the government has purchased more than 100 million new vaccine doses to underpin future booster campaigns.

Here are the headlines travel woke up to on Thursday (2 December).

Omicron variant found around world as more nations tighten travel rules

The US is among more than 50 countries bringing in stricter border controls for international travel, as the new variant of Covid-19 has been identified in 24 nations. While the World Health Organization (WHO) said it expected to have more information on Omicron’s transmissibility and the severity of disease it causes “within days”. (The Guardian)

Variant unravels travel industry’s plans for a comeback

Tourism businesses that were just “finding their footing” again in recent months, after nearly two years of devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic are being rattled again as countries throw up new barriers to travel in response to the Omicron variant. (The Independent)

Fourth Covid jab for adults to fight variants

British adults could receive a fourth coronavirus jab after the UK government rushed through a deal to buy more than 100 million extra vaccine doses, which can be tailored to battle variants. The move comes as the government relies on stepping up the booster campaign to stop the spread of Omicron. (The Times)

Firms opt for smaller Christmas parties over Omicron fears

Several large businesses in the UK are choosing to hold smaller Christmas parties within departments – rather than larger company-wide events. Uncertainty over the Omicron variant has added to safety concerns about holding large gatherings. (BBC News)

Disney elects woman as chair for first time in 98-year history

Entertainment giant Walt Disney has elected a woman to become its chair for the first time in the firm’s 98-year history. Susan Arnold, who has been on Disney’s board for 14 years, will succeed current chair Bob Iger at the end of 2021. (Reuters)

Japan backtracks on suspension of inbound flight bookings

The Japanese government has “rowed back” on a request for international airlines to stop taking bookings for inbound flights, by saying that a “consideration” would be made for Japanese people returning to the country. Airlines had been ordered to stop taking bookings for flights until the end of December. (Financial Times)

This year may prove even worse for the tourism industry than 2020

Hopes for a strong recovery in the global tourism industry have been further “dampened” by the discovery of the Omicron variant, leading to fears that 2021 could end up being worse for travel sector than 2020 when the pandemic began. (The Economist)