In this edition of the Travel News Brief: new travel requirements due to Omicron and mask mandates, Delta ends mileage earning on Basic Economy tickets, American to cut some routes, United returns to Scotland, CLEAR expands at Newark Airport, Amtrak to temporarily cut some service, Hilton Honors point-expiration policy extended to 24 months, Hyatt introduces room keys in Apple Wallet, Accor launches new luxury collection, traveler tips, and much more!
5 Reasons Travel Is Resilient to Future COVID Variant Risks
A new COVID-19 variant is threatening to challenge the progress made this past year, but exactly how much should businesses worry about the latest variant and its potential to upend travel?
Known as “omicron,” the headline-grabbing COVID-19 variant may be new, but it is hardly unexpected or surprising. Scientists have predicted...Read More
Biden Announces New Requirements for Travel Amid Omicron Concerns
Afar Magazine — The president has issued updated guidelines regarding COVID testing and masking for travel. Read More
‘New Normal’: U.S. Travelers Are Not Panicking Over Omicron
Forbes — In less than a week since the latest and most mutated variant of the coronavirus got its name, omicron-driven travel bans are popping up around the world and the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending that seniors postpone travel. Read More
U.S. Tightens International Travel Protocols, Extends Mask Mandate
Business Travel News — With the omicron variant of Covid-19 now identified in the U.S., the federal government revises entry requirements for international travelers among a host of new and reinvigorated public health measures. Read More
Federal Transportation Mask Mandate Extended Into Spring 2022
Travel Pulse — The federal transportation mask mandate has been extended through March 18, 2022, due to the newly discovered Omicron variant. Read More
WHO Flags Global Risk from Omicron, Countries Tighten Curbs
Reuters — The Omicron variant of coronavirus carries a very high global risk of surges as more countries reported cases, prompting border closures and reviving worries about the economic recovery from a two-year pandemic. Read More
Delta: No More Miles Earned on Basic Economy Fares
Travel Weekly — Customers will no longer earn SkyMiles or credit toward elite status on purchases of Basic Economy tickets. Read More
American Is Cutting These International Routes in 2022
Afar Magazine — An aircraft shortage is forcing the airline to scale back on some global flights, including to Europe and Asia. Read More
United to Resume Nonstop Services from Scotland in March
BTN Europe — United Airlines will resume daily nonstop services from Scotland to the U.S. in March next year, making it the first carrier to reinstate flights between the two nations. Read More
United Airlines Makes History
Yahoo! News — United Airlines just became the first airline in history to operate a passenger flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Read More
LATAM Files Reorganization Plan
Business Traveler — LATAM Airlines Group has submitted a reorganization plan that includes a proposed capital infusion of $8.19 billion. Read More
Airlines Ban Passengers for Bad Behavior That Takes Place on Other Carriers
View from the Wing — Flight attendants have wanted a ‘national banned passenger list’ for customers who behave badly since the start of the year…Read More
CLEAR Expands at Newark Airport
Travel Market Report — The move brings CLEAR’s total numbers to 39 airports and 109 expedited lanes across the U.S. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government-issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Amtrak Expected to Cut Service in January Due to Vaccine Mandate
Fortune Magazine — Amtrak says it plans to restore full service and frequency by March…Read More
Eurostar Begins SmartCheck Contactless Travel Trial
Business Traveller — Eurostar has launched its contactless travel trial, allowing customers to complete ticket and passport checks at home, before using biometric face scanners to verify their identity at St Pancras International station. Read More
Hilton Permanently Extends Point-Expiration Policy
Business Travel News — Hilton Hotels Corp. permanently has extended its Hilton Honors point-expiration policy to 24 months from the date of last activity from 15 months. Read More
The 6 Best New Hotels in Chicago
Afar Magazine — From luxurious downtown addresses to those that offer access to the city’s most colorful neighborhoods, Chicago’s new crop of hotels aims to serve the community and the environment with high sustainability standards. Read More
AHLA: 86% of Hotels Say Supply Chain Issues Impacting Operations
Hotel Business — Supply chain disruptions are impacting the operations of more than eight in 10 surveyed hotels, and nearly three in four hotel operators say the disruptions are negatively impacting their business revenue, according to a new survey of American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) members. Read More
Hyatt Introduces Room Keys in Apple Wallet
Business Travel News — Hyatt Hotels Corp. has introduced at six U.S. hotels room keys in Apple Wallet for World of Hyatt loyalty members, with plans to roll out the technology eventually across Hyatt's global portfolio. Read More
Accor Launches New Luxury Hotel Collection
Travel Market Report — Guiyang Art Centre Hotel, Emblems Collection, will be the first hotel in Accor’s new collection. Read More
Transient Business, Group to Spur U.S. Hotel Demand in 2022
Business Travel News — Leisure travel continues to dominate U.S. hotel demand, but PwC expects to see individual business travel and groups lead the demand recovery into 2022, provided Covid-19 infection rates drop...Read More
Sports Events Continue to Drive Group Business at Hotels
Sports Travel Magazine — Evidence shows that the sports market is outperforming other segments of group-related travel...Read More
New Best Western CEO Targets Loyalty, Corp. Transient
Business Travel News — Larry Cuculic takes over as BWH Hotels president and CEO on Dec. 1. He's been with the hotel company for more than a decade, as part of the general counsel's office. He spoke with BTN's Donna M. Airoldi in early November about his plans for the future of the company. Read More
How Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Can (and Can’t) Help You
Afar Magazine — In times of crisis, this travel insurance upgrade option may be your only saving grace—you just need to know the rules of engagement. Read More
Pre-departure Tests Reinstated by UK Government
Business Travel News Europe — Travelers to the U.K once again will be required to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test beginning Dec. 7 as global cases of the omicron variant continue to rise. Read More
Travel Etiquette 101: Expert Tips for Your Next Flight
Yahoo! — Whether you have started traveling or are planning a trip in the near future, the pandemic has introduced a new set of travel behaviors, rules and restrictions to help respect people’s sense of safety and comfort as we return to the skies. Read More
Optimism at GBTA Orlando
Prevue Meetings — GBTA (Global Business Travel Association)’s annual conference took place last week, attracting 3,500 attendees from more than 20 countries to Orlando after moving the date from August. The overarching mood was positive, based on the results of the latest Business Travel Index. Read More
What to Know About Travel After the Discovery of the Omicron Variant
Washington Post — The U.S. imposed restrictions, but experts say it’s too soon to cancel a trip to southern Africa. Read More
The Continued Importance of the Experience Economy
Creative Group — What do Harry Potter, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Ole Henriksen all have in common? They understand the importance of creating an experience! Here’s why Creative Group believes experiences are especially important right now…Read More
Where IRL Meets URL
Creative Group — In a recent webinar, Creative Group and 6Connex walked viewers through the tactical steps to planning a unified hybrid event. You can access that webinar on-demand, now via Linkedin. Read More
The Continued Importance of the Experience Economy
Creative Group — What do Harry Potter, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Ole Henriksen all have in common? They understand the importance of creating an experience! Read More
Top Tips For Adding CSR Activities to Events
Northstar Meetings Group — Including a CSR activity in a group travel program gives participants a chance to attain far more than a passing glimmer of charity, offering a unique travel experience that connects attendees to their destination, and gives them something to feel good about, take home with them and share with others. Read More
Wary, Weary World Slams Doors Shut, Fearing Omicron Variant
Northstar Meetings Group — Scientists are racing to find out how dangerous the strain might be...Read More
Looking for guidance on planning your next convention, incentive, or group trip? Direct Travel will assist with all your meetings and event details! Whatever your needs may be when it comes to your event, you can always depend on us to design streamlined travel arrangements, plan strategic meetings, and deliver real-time results. For details, please send a message to: MeetingInquiry@dt.com.