In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Business travel industry buyers and suppliers see a brighter path to travel recovery, new rules for international travel, Canada changes its travel advisory, flight service updates, Clear launches reservations service for security screening, Enterprise Holdings' brands are extending benefits to its most loyal customers, Hertz orders Teslas, hotel news and updates, Creative Group’s top tips for launching a Sales Kickoff and more!
Everything You Need to Know as the U.S. Borders Reopen
First Europe, then Canada, and now the United States: After more than a year and a half of border closures and travel restrictions, the U.S. will reopen to international travelers from dozens of countries. The announcement comes after months of advocacy from industry groups and travel management companies (TMCs), including Direct Travel.
While the news is an important milestone in the resumption of business travel, it is important to note that certain travel restrictions...Read More
Forecasting the Next Stage of Business Travel Recovery
The question of if the travel industry will recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been well documented, endlessly discussed, and thoroughly debated. While this past year has seen significant growth in travelers returning to the road, the stops and starts of changing restrictions and the threat of emerging variants have left some businesses understandably frustrated. However, as past worldwide events and crises have taught us...Read More
Survey: Buyers, Suppliers See More Business Travel Inclination
Business Travel News — Business travel industry buyers and suppliers alike see a brighter path to recovery following the U.S. government's announcement it will lift entry restrictions on international travelers and what seems to be the waning of the U.S. late-summer Covid-19 delta variant wave, according to a new survey. Read More
Unvaccinated Americans Returning to U.S. Will Have to be COVID Tested Within 24 Hours of Travel
Travel Market Report — The rules for international travel are changing again for both American citizens and non-citizens. Read More
Canada Changes Travel Advisory for US Nearing Border Reopening
Travel Pulse — The Canadian government changed its travel advisory for the U.S. on October 21 by replacing the advisory with a caution warning: only vaccinated Canadians should travel to the U.S. Read More
CDC Issues Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Holiday Travel
Travel Pulse — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated COVID-19 guidance for the upcoming holiday season, urging Americans to continue to get vaccinated and encouraging mask-wearing in public spaces. Read More
Delta-Latam JV Gets Green Light from Chile
Business Travel News — Chilean antitrust regulators have approved Delta Air Lines and Latam's proposed joint venture. Read More
United Plans London Service Expansion
Business Travel News — United Airlines will build its service to London Heathrow Airport to 22 daily flights by next spring, including new direct service from Boston. Read More
United to Start Newark-D.C. Shuttle Service
Business Travel News — United Airlines this week will launch nearly hourly shuttle service between Newark Liberty and Washington Reagan National airports. Read More
Air Canada Partners for Covid-19 Self-Testing Option
Business Travel News — Air Canada has partnered with Canadian health care provider Switch Health to make a self-administered Covid-19 testing option available to travelers on the carrier. Read More
Virgin Atlantic to Resume More U.S. Flights
BTN Europe — Virgin Atlantic has announced it will resume more flights from the U.K. to the U.S. on Nov. 8, the day the U.S. will reopen its borders to vaccinated U.K. and EU citizens. Read More
United Airlines CEO Says to Expect Higher Fares as Jet Fuel Prices Rise, Takes Swipe at Rivals’ Strategies
CNBC — Jet fuel prices are rising to levels not seen since before the Covid pandemic and it’s set to drive up airfares, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said. Read More
Alaska Launches Eco-Focused Investment Arm
Business Travel News — Alaska Airlines has created an investment arm to focus on technology that will help lower its carbon emissions. Read More
KLM to Expand U.S. Capacity When Borders Reopen
Business Travel News — KLM this winter will expand its transatlantic capacity, with nearly all destinations restored and intercontinental flights at about 75 percent of their 2019 capacity. Read More
Delta to Add 100 Daily Departures Out of NYC
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines this fall will increase its capacity out of New York City by 25 percent compared with the summer, with 100 additional daily departures out of LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. Read More
New Flight Routes Taking Off This Holiday Season
Travel Pulse — Airlines are building up their flight schedules in anticipation of booming travel demand this upcoming holiday season. Read More
European-Based Airline Drops Mask Mandate for Some Flights
Travel Awaits — Scandinavian Airlines, better known as SAS, has announced that masks are no longer a requirement for passengers flying within or between Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Read More
Clear Launches Reservation Service for Quickly Getting Through TSA
Afar Magazine — The new option allows users to book a time slot for passing through security. Read More
Delta Opening PreCheck Lobby With Facial-Recognition Tech in Atlanta
Travel Weekly — Delta Air Lines will open an industry-first TSA PreCheck lobby and bag-check facility in Atlanta next month. Read More
U.S. Issues First Passport with Nonbinary Gender Identity Designation
Business Travel News — The U.S. State Department has issued the first U.S. passport with the gender designated as "X," a step toward making a third gender option widely available for nonbinary, intersex and non-gender-conforming applicants. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental Extend Loyalty Benefits Again
Yahoo Finance — Enterprise Holdings' car rental brands are once again extending benefits to its most loyal customers. Read More
Hertz Orders 100K Tesla Electric Vehicles
Business Travel News — Car rental company Hertz announced a significant investment in offering electric options with an order for 100,000 Tesla cars by the end of 2022 and the installation of new charging infrastructure across the company’s global operations. Read More
Fairmont Century Plaza Ushers in a New Age of Glamour in Los Angeles
Accor — Premiering on September 27, 2021, the completely reimagined Fairmont Century Plaza will build upon its legacy as a Los Angeles cultural landmark and haven for visionaries across art, film, music, politics, and business. Read More
Extended Stay America Celebrates Extended Stay America Premier Suites Launch
Lodging Magazine — Extended Stay America, a mid-priced extended stay hotel company, has launched Extended Stay America Premier Suites. Read More
Hilton Adds Ability to Share Digital Key with Travel Companions
Business Traveller — Hilton has announced a number of technology enhancements, including a new Digital Key Share service allowing more than one guest to have access to their room’s Digital Key. Read More
Hilton Opens First Canopy Property in the UK
Business Traveller — Today sees the long-awaited debut of Hilton’s lifestyle Canopy brand in London…Read More
IHG Partners with CVS for Covid-19 Testing at U.S. Hotels
Business Travel News — IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered with CVS Health as a recommended supplier for onsite Covid-19 rapid testing. Read More
How to Hold a Successful Sales Kickoff
Creative Group — January is just around the corner – it’s time to start planning your Sales Kickoff. Align your company goals to your event’s messaging and agenda to ensure a successful 2022! Here are Creative Group’s top tips. Read More
Going Solo
Ignite Magazine — In the latest issue of Ignite Magazine, Creative Group’s Manon Dicaire, SVP, Business Development Canada, and Jamie Schwartz, Sr. Director, Individual Performance Strategy, discussed all things individual incentives. Check out the article 'Going Solo.’ Read More
Taking Safe Events on the Road
Creative Group — There’s nothing like the feeling of returning to live events! This case study dives into how Creative Group helped their client take safe events on the road, with community givebacks and some surprises along the way. 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.