In this edition of the Travel News Brief: leveraging employee travel expense data, in-flight Wi-Fi availability growth, TSA Pre ✓® expansion to include more airlines, reasons to take the train vs. the plane in Europe, the best hotels of 2018, tips to stay fit while you travel, and more!
Last week, we talked about putting your corporate travel data to work. One of the key strategies discussed was converging multiple datasets – like expense data – for deeper insights. Read More
Travel Pulse — Airports are transforming themselves to attract more passengers and increase revenue. Read More
LA Times — You don't have to be a germophobe to want to slip on rubber gloves when you enter an airplane cabin. The latest study found that surfaces in airport terminals can have even higher germ counts than those in the planes. Read More
Business Travel News — Global Wi-Fi connectivity on airlines increased to 43 percent of available seat miles offering at least a chance of Wi-Fi, up from 39 percent a year ago, according to Routehappy's 2018 Wi-Fi Report. Read More
Travel Market Report —In hopes of easing airport congestion, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is testing a new technology that confirms the identity of passengers through facial recognition at one of the nation’s largest airports, Los Angeles International. Read More
USA Today —Changes will start with international flights, before expanding to domestic…Read More
USA Today —The "passport acceptance'' fee is going from $25 to $35 on April 2. Application fees are not increasing. Read More
TSA.gov —Expedited screening now available through 47 air carriers. Read More
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Auto Rental News —The Tampa International Airport's car rental center will open Feb. 14, as part of the airport's $2 billion expansion plan. Read More
Travel Market Report —For the first time, rail passengers will be able to travel from St Pancras in the heart of London directly to the Netherlands at a speed of 186 miles per in just three hours. Read More
USA Today —We asked the team at Street View to share some of the most interesting stations and terminals around the world. Read More
SF Gate —Taking the train instead of a plane might not be much of an option in most of the U.S., but it's hugely popular in Europe – and often almost as fast or even faster than flying. Read More
Phocuswire —Google spin-off Waymo is ordering "thousands" of new, self-driving vehicles as part of its program to test driver-less technology. Read More
Meetings Today —U.S. News & World Report announced its 2018 Best Hotels list, ranking more than 24,000 upscale properties across the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Canada and Bermuda. Read More
Insider Travel Report —Marriott International's experiential brand, Moxy Hotels, made its debut in Tokyo this week…Read More
Success Meetings —The Unbound Collection, of Hyatt’s collection of “independent” hotels and resorts, is set to double its portfolio by 2019, according to Hyatt Hotels Corp., which has announced the addition of five hotels to The Unbound Collection’s ranks. Read More
Travel Pulse —The new lifestyle hotel is slated to open in 2020. Read More
Travel Pulse —Set to open summer 2018, Four Seasons will be the centerpiece of Bengaluru's exciting Embassy ONE development. Read More
Travel Pulse —The first hotel collection will be a portfolio of unique, midscale hotels located in urban centers. Read More
New York Times —Traveling, whether for business or pleasure, is no reason to leave your fitness goals behind. Here’s how to get a good workout, on the go. Read More
Travel Market Report —Travelers can save by applying for a passport before April 2nd. Read More
Meetings & Conventions —The project will add 250,000 square feet to the facility...Read More
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