In This Edition… IRS milage rate for 2024, new visa requirements for entering Brazil, Venice entry fee, flight service updates, new airline codeshare agreements, TSA PreCheck screening upgrade, US high-speed rail project, hotel news and expansions, traveler tips, and much more!
Dans cette édition… Taux de kilométrage de l'Internal Revenue Service pour 2024, nouvelles exigences en matière de visa pour entrer au Brésil, frais d'entrée à Venise, mises à jour des services de vol, nouveaux accords de partage de code entre compagnies aériennes, évolution du contrôle TSA PreCheck, projet de train à grande vitesse aux États-Unis, nouvelles des hôtels, conseils aux voyageurs, et bien d'autres choses encore!
The Top Business Travel Articles of 2023
As we collectively prepare for the new year, here are the top takeaways from our most popular articles in 2023. Read More
Preparing Your Travel Program for the New EU Sustainability Guidelines
Regardless of where your company’s home base is located, it is important to understand why the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) has been enacted and how Direct ATPI Halo can help your business comply with CSRD. Read More
Direct Travel’s Ed Adams Inducted Into The Business Travel Hall of Fame
Direct Travel — Please join us in celebrating our CEO Ed Adams, who was inducted into the Business Travel Hall of Fame... a prestigious honor that recognizes the industry’s most influential executives who have helped shape today’s business travel landscape. Read More
IRS Hikes 2024 Tax-Deductible Mileage Rate
Business Travel News — The U.S. Internal Revenue Service announced the 2024 rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a car for business purposes would rise from 2023. Read More
U.S. Travelers Will Need a Visa to Enter Brazil Starting in 2024—Here’s What It Will Cost and How to Get One
Afar Magazine — Here's everything travelers need to know about the newly reinstated visa requirement starting on January 10, 2024. Read More
Canadians Will Need Visa to Travel to Brazil Effective January 10
TravelPulse Canada — As of January 10, 2024, Brazil will once again require Canadians to obtain a visa ahead of travel. Read More
Brazil Adds E-Visa Option as Waiver Nears Expiration
Business Travel News — Brazil has launched an electronic visa platform for visitors from the U.S., Canada and Australia when the waiver currently in place for those countries expires next month. Read More
Venice Unveils Exact Dates in 2024 When It Will Charge Tourist Entry Fee
Afar Magazine — The Venice City Council just released a 2024 schedule of dates during which day-trippers will need to pay to enter the city. Here’s the full list of dates and what it will cost. Read More
Lufthansa Group Will Resume Flying to Israel
Travel Weekly — Starting Jan. 8, the company will fly a combined 20 weekly frequencies to Tel Aviv, split between Lufthansa, Austrian and Swiss. Read More
Cathay Pacific Returns First Class Service on JFK-HKG
Insider Travel Report — Cathay Pacific said it will recommence first-class service from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on March 31, 2024, furthering the airline’s commitment to the North American market and providing a superior long-haul flight experience between two of the world’s most important financial centers. Read More
Air Canada Adds Flights to Three U.S. Cities
Travel Weekly — Air Canada will add South Carolina to its route map and fly from Montreal to St. Louis and Austin. Read More
American Airlines Announces New Codeshare with Philippine Airlines
Travel Pulse — American Airlines will now offer flights to and from the Philippines with a new codeshare partnership with Philippine Airlines. Read More
Alaska Airlines Adds Porter Airlines as New Partner
Travel Pulse — The new deal marks Alaska's 30th global partnership. Read More
United Just Added This New Nonstop Flight to Europe From California
Afar Magazine — Get ready for easy access to Gaudí, Picasso, and Miró—plus endless tapas and miles of beaches. Read More
Alaska Airlines Says It Will Acquire Hawaiian Airlines. Is This Good News for You?
Fodor’s Travel — The news comes as the Department of Justice has sued to halt the merger of JetBlue and Spirit over concerns that it will negatively impact travelers. Read More
How Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Merger Compares to JetBlue, Spirit Deal
Travel Pulse — On many levels, the proposed acquisition by Alaska Airlines of Hawaiian Airlines mirrors the proposal between JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines. And on many levels, it's very different. Read More
Delta Air Lines Announces New Daily Service to Taipei
Travel Pulse — The flights to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport start on June 6, 2024. Read More
A New TSA PreCheck Screening Upgrade Will Get You Through Faster Than Ever
Afar Magazine — Here’s how it will work to speed up the process. Read More
Delta Expands Facial Recognition to NYC, LAX
Business Travel News — After pilot programs in Atlanta and Detroit, Delta Air Lines is launching voluntary facial-recognition programs at airports in New York and Los Angeles, allowing passengers to move through security lanes and check bags without showing a physical ID card. Read More
TSA to Launch Self-Service Security Screening Prototype in Las Vegas
TravelPulse — The new system could help reduce the number of pat-downs and bag inspections that need to be performed by security personnel. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
US To Transform Domestic Rail Travel with First High-Speed Rail Projects
Travel Pulse — The Biden-Harris Administration is investing over $8 billion in ten new projects. Read More
Choice Hotels Completes Radisson Hotels Americas Integration
Travel Pulse — In July, less than a year since the acquisition, all of the Radisson Americas brands, including Radisson Blu, Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites, were migrated onto Choice's central reservation system, making them bookable on ChoiceHotels.com. Read More
Accor Plans 80 Hotel Openings in 2024
Business Travel News — Accor Group plans to open more than 80 new hotels globally in 2024, including several international brand debuts. Read More
Best Western to Add Tesla Universal EV Chargers
Business Travel News — Best Western has partnered with Tesla to add universal electronic vehicle charges at "select" North America hotels in early 2024. Read More
Choice Launches Hostile Bid for Wyndham
Business Travel News — Choice Hotels International on Tuesday formally launched a hostile bid to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Read More
Red Roof Confirms Ransomware Attack
Business Travel News — Lodging provider Red Roof has confirmed the company experienced a ransomware attack on Sept. 23, involving a "limited subset" of data that did not include guest information. Read More
Hyatt Expands Luxury Pipeline Amid 'Increased Demand'
Business Travel News — Hyatt Hotels Corp. has plans to open 37 luxury hotels and resorts globally through 2025 amid "increased demand" for luxury travel. Read More
Marriott Unveils Milestone 500th Luxury Hotel Opening Along With Strong 2024 Pipeline
Insider Travel Report — Marriott International announced its milestone 500th luxury hotel opening at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Cannes this week, further expanding its global footprint. Read More
How Renaissance Hotels Is Using AI for Guest Concierge Services
Insider Travel Report — In a time where tech and travel are more intertwined than ever, Renaissance Hotels is announcing a new pilot virtual concierge service called RENAI By Renaissance (pronounced “ren-A”), which stands for Renaissance Artificial Intelligence. Read More
10 Ways to Make Sure Your Bags Don’t Get Lost When You Fly
Afar Magazine — Every flier wants their checked luggage to arrive at their destination with them at the end of a flight. But not every flier takes these simple precautions. Read More
Worst US Airports for Winter Travel Disruptions
Travel Pulse — Experts at online travel marketplace Hopper recently examined historical and current disruption rates from major U.S. airports to reveal the worst hubs for winter and holiday travel. Read More
Is There a Safest Seat on an Airplane?
Afar Magazine — Experts debate whether there is a safest place to sit on an airplane in the case of an emergency. Read More
What Happens to Airlines’ Unclaimed Baggage?
Afar Magazine — If a suitcase gets lost on a flight, does it end up in luggage heaven? Sort of. Here’s what happens to the unclaimed bags that get left behind. Read More
The Best US Airports to Kill Time During Your Next Layover
Travel Pulse — Some of the nation's airports fare better than others when it comes to entertaining waiting air travelers. Read More
Stella Awards 2023: Best Convention Center
Northstar Meetings Group — These venues showcase everything from LEED Certification and gourmet culinary options to state-of-the-art Wi-Fi and walkable, campus-like environments. Read More
Major Convention Center Expansion and Renovation Projects
Northstar Meetings Group — Many cities throughout the United States are sprucing up their convention centers and adding more space to attract larger groups. The following facility projects are either recently debuted, in the middle of renovation work or awaiting approval. 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.