In this edition of the Travel News Brief: what Brexit means for travelers, more on Coronavirus, Delta launches new joint venture, NY residents banned from Global Entry program, screening for China travelers, rental car tolls, hotel updates, Phoenix airport terminal upgrade complete, what is SSSS on a boarding pass, staying secure during a hotel stay, corporate travel policy best practices and much more!
Corporate Travel Policy Best Practices
Whether you’re working from a sample policy, customizing it to fit your business, or updating your company’s older document to align with new travel practices and technologies, you’ll need to know what should be included. In this article, we’ll present today’s travel and expense policy best practices with an eye towards 2020 industry trends. Read More
What Brexit Will Mean for Travelers
CNN — Britain's departure from the European Union is finally upon us, but after all the warnings of chaos for inbound tourists and problems for UK travelers heading to the continent, what will situations will travelers actually face after January 31? Read More
More Airlines Suspend Flights to China as Coronavirus Outbreak Worsens
Travel Market Report — Airlines around the world are suspending flights to and from China as the coronavirus spreads. Read More
Airlines Scramble to Enforce New Coronavirus Travel Restrictions
USA Today — Airlines across the U.S. are scrambling to comply with the new travel restrictions implemented by Trump's administration. Read More
Coronavirus: Americans Who Have Been to China Recently Will Be Sent to These 11 Airports
USA Today — In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, the DHS says that flights will be rerouted if officials learn mid-flight that anyone onboard has been to China in the past 14 days. Any U.S. citizen who has, will be rerouted to one of 11 designated airports for enhanced health screening procedures. Read More
Coronavirus Hitting Business Travel Far Beyond China
Business Travel News — The largest business travel market in the world is becoming increasingly isolated as companies like Alphabet, Apple, Facebook and LG suspend operations in China and restrict business travel as the novel coronavirus outbreak further grips the country. South Korea's LG has banned business travel to the country outright. Read More
U.S. Warns Travelers About Visiting China; Hong Kong Cuts Rail Links As Coronavirus Spreads
Meetings & Conventions — Hong Kong's leader stopped short of closing the border, as North Korea and Mongolia have done, but said flights from the mainland would be reduced...Read More
Delta's Four-airline Transatlantic Venture Launches
Travel Weekly — Delta's joint venture with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic has launched. Read More
Delta Introduces New Domestic First Class Seats for A321neo Fleet
Delta.com — The new state-of-the-art seat design brings premium cabin features travelers enjoy on international flights to domestic travel. Read More
No Pillows, No Hot Meals: Airlines Adopt Preventative Measures Against the Coronavirus
CNN — While multiple airlines have temporarily suspended all flights to China due to the coronavirus outbreak, those that are still flying to the country are adopting a series of measures to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific announced it will no longer offer hot towels, pillows, blankets and magazines to passengers on Cathay Pacific and subsidiary Cathay Dragon flights to…Read More
Department of Homeland Security Bans New York Residents from Participating in Global Entry
Travel Market Report — Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced on Wednesday that New York residents are no longer eligible to enroll in Trusted Traveler Programs, including Global Entry, because of DHS' disagreement over a new "Green Light Law" that New York adopted late last year. Read More
TSA Tells Airlines to Ask Passengers If They've Been to China
The Hill — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has told airlines to ask passengers on international flights if they’ve been to mainland China in the past two weeks. Read More
Screening for Coronavirus to be Expanded at 20 U.S. Airports
Fox News — The U.S. is planning to boost staff at almost two dozen airports in an effort to screen nearly all passengers traveling from China, as the coronavirus continues to spread, a report said. Read More
New Visa Rule Could See Pregnant Travelers Denied Entry to the U.S.
Afar — This new regulation puts more scrutiny on so-called birth tourism and gives consular officers increased power to turn women away. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Rental Cars and Cashless Tolls: Convenience Might Cost You
New York Times — Rental car companies increasingly offer transponders for cashless tolls, but in some cases, travelers end up paying more than they need to. Read More
Taking an Uber or Lyft? Nine Tips for Riding Safely
Minneapolis Star Tribune — Suggestions from experts on how to stay safe while in a ride share. Read More
Amtrak Previews “Avelia Liberty” Trains
Business Traveller — The first new trainsets built to replace Amtrak’s ageing fleet of Acela high-speed trains have been publicly previewed on tracks near Hornell, New York home of manufacturer Alstrom. Read More
Hertz to Continue Investment Strategy into 2020
Business Travel News — Now completing her third year as CEO of Hertz Global Holdings, Kathryn Marinello has overseen a stretch of growing revenues and profits after some financially tough years for the car rental supplier. Read More
A Walk Through Toronto’s Glitziest Celebrity Hotspot
Forbes — Toronto might be known for its film festival, but it’s glitz and glamour goes beyond the red carpet. The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto is more than just a hotel, it’s a city landmark. Some might call it the Plaza Hotel of Canada’s biggest city. Read More
WorldHotels to Add Upscale-Plus Soft Brand, the Crafted Collection
Business Travel News — WorldHotels, a collection of more than 300 global independent hotels and resorts now part of Best Western, plans a fourth brand for its stable. The Crafted Collection will be composed of rebranded hotels from other WorldHotels collections and newly added properties from competitors. Read More
Hyatt Plans to Open Nearly 200 Hotels in the Americas by 2022
Business Travel News — Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced plans to expand its Americas footprint by about one-third, with 50 hotels slated to open in 2020 and more than 140 by 2022, adding to its current total of 585 properties operating in the region. Read More
Marriott Completes Elegant Acquisition
Travel Weekly — The buy is part of Marriott's growth strategy in Caribbean all-inclusives…Read More
Choice Unveils New Midscale Extended-Stay Brand, Everhome Suites
Business Travel News — Choice Hotels introduced a new brand in the midscale extended-stay segment named during this week's American Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles. Read More
Phoenix International Airport Completes Terminal 3 Upgrade
Meetings & Conventions — The facility, which has averaged roughly 45 million passengers a year, set a new record in 2019 when it handled 46.3 million travelers…Read More
This Is What It Means When You Have “SSSS” on Your Boarding Pass
Afar — First class or coach, travelers can earn this inconvenient designation on any flight, international or domestic. Read More
How to Disinfect Your Hotel Room
SmarterTravel — Small things can make a big difference when it comes to hotel-room hygiene. Read More
How to Renew a Passport, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck—The Ultimate Guide
Smarter Travel — If you’re within a year of renewal, it’s time to get your game plan together. Read More
How to Stay Secure During a Hotel Stay
Travel Pulse — Making sure your private details remain private is just one way to maintain personal safety and security while staying in hotels…Read More
Commercial Air Travel Has Never Been Safer, Study Finds
Consumer Affairs — Air travelers have less to fret over going forward…Read More
Myth-busting: Will a Face Mask Keep You Safe from Viruses on a Plane?
The Points Guy — From what we know, the transmission of coronavirus is limited to the distance you cough or sneeze — which is about six to eight feet. If you do get this type of virus on a plane, it's likely because of a person seated within two rows around you. Read More
Creative Group Wins SITE Award
Creative Group — Creative Group won a SITE Crystal Award for Most Effective Incentive Marketing Campaign. This award is considered the highest honor in the Incentive Travel Industry. Read More
Meeting & Event Trends for 2020
Creative Group — This eBook covers 5 corporate meeting and event trends that you can use to optimize your 2020 programs. Focusing on these will empower you to engage your participants in a more meaningful, relevant way and maximize your event ROI. Read More
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