In this edition of Direct Travel's News Brief… reopening countries in the EU, travel ban for India, airlines add more flights and routes, American Admirals Club Lounges open again, AA introduces new amenity kits, REAL-ID deadline extended, SEA Airport security reservations, hotel brand expansions, traveler tips, meeting trends and more!
What Vaccine Certificates and Health Passports Mean for Travel
Experts have long cited vaccines as the key to travel resuming. This prediction has since proven correct as domestic travel rebounds to levels not seen since pre-pandemic. For international travel to follow suit though, a further step is needed: a way to display proof of vaccination to allow travelers to cross borders freely once again...Read More
France Plans to Reopen Borders to Non-EU Travelers in June
Travel Market Report — A new four-step plan permits foreign tourists into France beginning June 9. Read More
EU Officially Proposes Reopening External Borders
Afar Magazine — As vaccination campaigns across the continent gather speed, EU officials proposed easing restrictions on visiting the 27-nation block. Read More
U.S. to Begin Restricting Travel from India Amid Virus Surge
Afar Magazine — A ban on travel from India goes into effect May 5, 2021. Read More
Alaska Airlines Announces Plans for Fleet Growth and Route Expansion
Wheels Up Network — With recovery on the horizon, Alaska Airlines is taking advantage of strategic opportunities by adding 30 mainline and regional aircraft to fulfill capacity needs in the years ahead. And as more travelers search for additional leisure getaways, Alaska will begin flying to Belize City, Belize. Read More
United Launches Industry-Exclusive Technology to Ease the Burden of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
United.com — United's "Travel-Ready Center" will allow customers to upload and validate test results, review local entry requirements, find testing providers, and store vaccination records - all in the United app and United.com. Read More
Banking on Busy Summer Travel Season, Airlines Add More Flights and New Routes
NPR — Looking for a nonstop flight between Appleton, Wis., and Savannah, Ga.? It'll soon be available. Or how about Austin, Texas, to Nashville, Tenn.? Louisville, Ky., to Los Angeles? Or from just about anywhere to Bozeman, Mont.? Those are some of the new, unconventional domestic routes that airlines are now offering. Read More
American Admirals Club Lounges Primed to Welcome Customers Back
Wheels Up Network — Admirals Club lounges continue to reopen across the country, including in Atlanta, Phoenix and Miami. Read More
American Airlines Introduces New Amenity Kits
Business Travel News — American Airlines is introducing new amenity kits for premium class travelers on long-haul international and transcontinental flights, the carrier announced. Read More
Airlines Reinstating Change and Cancellation Fees
Travel Pulse — Policies put in because of the pandemic are out as demand increases. Read More
REAL ID Deadline Pushed Back to May 2023
Travel Market Report — In a statement reacting to the news, U.S. Travel Association called the delay 'the right move.' Read More
Wait No More: New Sea-Tac Program Lets Travelers Reserve a Time at Airport Checkpoint
USA Today — SEA Spot Saver seeks to reduce wait times at TSA airport checkpoints by offering digital reservations, or "virtual queuing." Read More
FAA Says Naughty Passenger Behavior Is ‘Off the Charts’
Travel Pulse — There’s been a dramatic increase in incidents. Read More
Wyndham Reports Strong Growth with Over 50 Hotels in First Quarter 2021
Insider Travel Report — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts says it remains on a steady growth trajectory around the world and is continuing to introduce new properties and enter new destinations. Read More
11 Travel Secrets I Learned Working in a Hotel
Smarter Travel — A hotel employee spills all, including the one red flag you can spot in photos that lets you know you shouldn’t book a room at a property. Read More
6 Hotel Brands Expand with New Properties
Recommend — From Mexico to Japan, to Rome, to New Orleans, to Jamaica, and Portugal, there’s sure to be something for almost everyone on your roster. Read More
Marriott, Hilton, IHG Account for 73 Percent of U.S. Hotel Rooms Opened in Q1
Business Travel News — During the first quarter of 2021, the U.S. hotel industry opened 229 hotels with 27,528 rooms, according to the latest U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics. Read More
37 Million People Are Expected to Travel Memorial Day Weekend. Experts Weigh in on the Reasons Why
CNN — As America reopens, more than 37 million people are expected to travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend -- a big boost from last year's record low. Read More
The Road Ahead: How Covid-19 Has Changed the Way We Travel
Fast Company — Americans are poised to begin traveling again. But how we travel and where we go will not be the same...Read More
How to Avoid Confrontations If You Fly This Summer
USA Today — The FAA said it's received 1,300 reports of unruly passengers since Feb. 1. What's behind the increased frustrations and how to avoid confrontation. Read More
COVID Home Tests Now Accepted for International Flights to US, CDC Says
USA Today — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that home tests will now satisfy the COVID-19 test requirement for passengers boarding international flights to the U.S. Read More
Get Ready to Hit the Road with These Post-pandemic Travel Do’s and Don’ts
Parade — A cheer went up when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated people can resume domestic travel. Read More
Well-Being Tips When You're on the Road
Prevue Meetings — Guest speaker, Dr. Mary Warren, Owner of Road Warrior Wellness™ and Vital Force Wellness offers insight on how to improve your self-care and reduce stress while staying healthier and more productive for your events. Read More
COVID-19 US Travel Restrictions: Updated State-by-State Guide for May 2021
Travel Pulse — Before heading out on your springtime travels, read up on the various restrictions by state. Read More
Planning to Get a COVID Test at the Airport? It Can Cost You…
Travel Weekly — The International Air Transport Association is calling on governments to cover the cost of the Covid-19 tests that they require for travel, in accord with World Health Organization guidelines...Read More
20 Wellness Tips for Road Warriors
PreVue Meetings + Incentives — Dr. Mary Warren of Road Warrior Wellness™ and Vital Force Wellness shares her best wellness tips for meeting planners when they hit the road once again. Read More
Travel Industry Takes Flight!
Creative Group — Travel is on the rise! The number of passengers going through US airports is increasing and demonstrates a growing willingness to travel. Here are some travel tips from Creative Group’s employees and customers who’ve recently taken to the skies. Read More
Repurposed Content is King
Creative Group — Today’s flurry of virtual events offers an increased amount of well-rehearsed, thoughtfully produced content — and we’ve mastered the technology needed to rinse and repeat the experience for any viewer! Here are Creative Group’s tips to help you repurpose your content with purpose. Read More
Incentive Roundtable Reveals Travel Trends and Challenges
Northstar Meetings Group — Staffing shortages, working with hotels and safety protocols were among the topics tackled during the Incentive Live: 2021 GMID Edition panel. Read More
How to Keep Wellness Top of Mind at Meetings
Successful Meetings — The impact of Covid-19 will continue to drive health and wellness practices at in-person gatherings well into the future. 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.