In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Airlines adding more routes, Rising fuel costs affect Canada fares, The future of security at small airports, Self-driving taxis, Hotel updates, How the evolving car rental industry will impact your travel program, and more!
How the Evolving Car Rental Industry Will Impact Your Travel Program
Vehicle rental suppliers have evolved much over the past decade. Electric cars have become a serious option for anybody in the market for a car, people are using ride-hailing and ride-sharing apps for short trips, and companies are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact as it relates to travel. Read More
Korean Air: Boston-Seoul Non-stops to Begin in April
USA Today —New Seoul-Boston flights come as part of a new joint-venture between Korean and U.S. partner Delta Air Lines. It allows them to coordinate schedules. Read More
American Airlines Adds Tokyo-Las Vegas Nonstops, But Only for 11 Days
USA Today —The flights, which start Jan. 4 and run through Jan. 14, coincide with the 2019 CES consumer electronics show – one of Las Vegas’ top corporate draws. Read More
Delta Releases Performance Metrics for Corporates
Buying Business Travel —Delta Air Lines has launched two metrics that provide corporate customers with detailed operational performance information on specific flights, including itineraries with connections. Read More
Delta Air Lines Adding Delta One Suites on More Asia Pacific Routes
Travel Mole —Premium Select also coming to Sydney and Tokyo…Read More
American Airlines to Offer Weekly Seasonal Chicago-Aruba Service
Caribbean Journal —American Airlines will launch weekly seasonal service between Aruba and Chicago O'Hare International Airport, starting Dec. 22. Read More
Rising Fuel Costs Will Drive Air Canada Fare Increases
Business Travel News —Air Canada aims to offset rising fuel costs in part with fare increases, president and CEO Calin Rovinescu said. Read More
United Strengthens Domestic Route with 33 New Destinations
Insider Travel Report —United Airlines said it will begin new daily service between its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and Miami International Airport. Read More
American Airlines Eases Carry-On Limits for Basic Economy Fares
Travel Market Report —American Airlines is making Basic Economy fares a little less basic – but still keeping most of the rules that make this the most bare-bones of the major carrier fare offerings. Read More
TSA Looks at Separate Lines for Fliers 'Swept' by Canines
USA Today —In a wide-ranging chat, the TSA chief talked about (not) eliminating security at small airports, rolling out 3D scanners and the role of bomb-sniffing dogs. Read More
'Not Worth the Risks': TSA Chief Will Keep Checkpoints at 150 Smaller Airports
USA Today —The Transportation Security Administration will keep checkpoints at the 150 smallest airports, despite study about possibly close them to save money. Read More
New TSA Scanners Could Allow Travelers to Keep Their Liquids and Laptops
Travel Market Report —By the end of the year, the agency will be testing new CT scanners for carry-ons at 15 airports, reducing the need for bag checks. Read More
A Newly-Disclosed TSA Surveillance Program Monitors Air Passengers Even If They Have No Known Terrorist Ties
Fortune Magazine —Do you sweat heavily or use the restroom frequently while flying within the U.S.? If so, there’s a chance that federal air marshals have reported you under a previously undisclosed program called “Quiet Skies.” Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Amtrak Unveils New Interiors for Acela Express Fleet
Insider Travel Report —Call it America’s high-speed rail network. Acela, the express train that links Boston New York, Philadelphia, Baltim...Read More
Waymo Begins Experimenting With Self-Driving Taxi Prices
The Verge —Alphabet unit is also taking early steps to position itself as a link to public transportation…Read More
Cambria Hotels Opens in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
PR Newswire —Choice Hotels International, Inc. in collaboration with developers SpringBridge Development, LLC and Landmark Enterprises, today opened the doors of the Cambria Hotel Mount Pleasant in coastal South Carolina. Read More
HNA Group agrees to sell Radisson Holdings to Jin Jiang
Travel Mole —Minnesota group to remain in Chinese ownership…Read More
Airports Find a New Source of Revenue: Attaching Hotels to Terminals
CNBC —The recently opened InterContinental Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Hotel is an example of how more airports are adding attached hotels to accommodate travelers. Read More
Hyatt Retreats From Offer to Buy Spain's NH Hotels
Meetings & Conventions —Potential deal collapses after another hotel chain increases its own stake in NH...Read More
Marriott, Ritz, Starwood Loyalty Merger Date Announced
Travel Pulse —The frequent-guest programs for Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Starwood Hotels will officially merge as of Aug. 18, according to Marriott's website. Read More
IHG Reveals UK Kimpton and Voco Locations
Buying Business Travel —The Intercontinental Hotels Group recently disclosed the debut UK locations for its new Voco Hotels and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants brands. Read More
Travelers Don’t Seek Health Advice When Going Abroad
4Hoteliers —Even if visiting known mosquito-borne diseases areas…Read More
Demand for In-flight Wi-Fi is Driving Airline Loyalty Among Passengers
International Airport Review —More than half of airline passengers in a new survey consider in-flight Wi-Fi crucial and two-thirds would be more likely to rebook with an airline that offered it. Read More
5 Simple Tips to Help Vegetarian or Vegan Travelers Eat Well, Anywhere
New York Times —Traveling while vegetarian or vegan can be a challenge, but with a few tips and a little tech, you can roam freely, eat well and not have to worry about going hungry. Read More
How to Bump Germs Off Your Flight
Meetings & Conventions —These kits are a must to protect against nasty microbes…Read More
Are you focusing on the right ROI?
Creative Group — In a podcast conducted by Alex Palmer, Managing Editor at Incentive Magazine, two industry experts agree that we might not always be focusing on the right ROI. Melissa Van Dyke, President of the Incentive Research Foundation and Paul Hebert, Director of Solution Architecture at Creative Group explained why the behaviors derived from incentive programs are just as important as the hard number calculations…Read More
What the “Best Companies to Sell For” Have in Common
Creative Group —If you want your company to be thought of as the Best Company to Sell For, you’ll need to build a culture of training, collaboration, appreciation, recognition and of course, rewards…Read More
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