In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Vision Travel rebrands to Direct Travel, flight service updates, development of a new “International Network” of carriers, the latest on Real ID, LAX bans curbside pickups, EHI launhces Entegral, new Uber services, Wyndham updates, new hotel properties, staying healthy while traveling, meeting industry news, 3 critical components for corporate incentive travel and more!
3 Critical Components for Corporate Incentive Travel
Budgets, participant eligibility, and perception of corporate incentive travel is on the rise. Read More
Vision Travel Corporate Business Officially Renamed Direct Travel
Direct Travel — Canada-based Vision Travel recently announced it is formally rebranding its corporate division to Direct Travel, following its merger with Direct Travel, Inc. in April of 2017. The rebrand marks a new chapter in Direct Travel’s history as two brands become one to form a stronger, more consistent brand in the industry. Read More
American Will Expand Service to South America & Europe in 2020
Business Travel News — American Airlines next year will boost its service to three South American cities from Miami and will add direct service between Boston and London. Read More
Delta & Latam Announce Strategic Partnership Plans
Business Travel News — Delta and Latam have agreed to form a strategic partnership. As part of the deal, Delta will take a 20 percent stake in Latam and Latam will exit the Oneworld alliance. Read More
American & Alaska Cut Back on Loyalty Cooperation
Business Travel News — American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are scaling back their partnership. Their reciprocal loyalty program benefits will largely end as of March 1, 2020. Read More
BA Announces Codeshare with Malaysia Airlines
Travel Mole — Carrier spells out benefits for passengers…Read More
American Airlines Says Long-awaited DFW to Tokyo Haneda Flights Will Start in March
Dallas News — American has been bulking up its international flight schedule from DFW Airport. Read More
Delta & Latam Announce Strategic Partnership Plans
Business Travel News — Delta and Latam have agreed to form a strategic partnership. As part of the deal, Delta will take a 20 percent stake in Latam and Latam will exit the Oneworld alliance. Read More
United Airlines Adds Winter Nonstop Service Between Durango, CO and Houston
Durango Herald News — United Airlines will add a Saturday nonstop flight between Houston and Durango, Colo., between January and March. Read More
KLM Will Add Direct Flights to Austin
Business Travel News — In May 2020, KLM will begin direct round-trip service between Amsterdam and Austin three times per week. Read More
SkyTeam Failed, Airline Will Create Their Own International Network of Carriers
View from the Wing — Delta CEO Ed Bastian told Bloomberg that the SkyTeam, of which Delta is a part, hasn’t “brought a lot of great value to customers..[or] to member airlines” and so they’re trying to create their “own international network of carriers” with Delta “as the centerpiece.” Read More
United Will Move to Points-Based Upgrade System
Business Travel News — United Airlines is switching its upgrade system for high-level Premier members to a points-based system that it said would offer more flexibility in upgrade selection. Read More
FAA Says Individual Countries Will Decide When to Return 737 Max to the Air
Travel Pulse — The FAA says it is committed to safety and not a prescribed timeline. Read More
American Airlines Unveils New $350 Million Headquarters in Fort Worth
Dallas News — The corporate headquarters building is part of a $350 million expansion of the American Airlines campus in Fort Worth that was built in the 1950s. Read More
Delta Adding Flights to Rome from Boston
Travel Mole — Seasonal summer service starts next year…Read More
United Airlines To Alter Polaris Route Network
Simply Flying — Routes being served by United Airlines’ much-sought-after Polaris cabins will be changing from the beginning of December. Read More
With Real ID Deadline Looming, Americans Remain Unprepared
Northstar Meetings Group — Come October 2020, U.S. travelers will require a Real ID or approved passport to board domestic flights...Read More
Dulles Passengers Can Again Do Arrival Paperwork Online
The Washington Post (subscription required) — "Mobile passport" is back in action at Washington's Dulles International Airport. In response to complaints, U.S. Customs and Border Protection resumed operation of the app that allows US and Canadian citizens to complete their arrival paperwork via smartphone or tablet. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
LAX Bans Uber, Lyft, and Taxis From Curbside Pickup
Travel + Leisure Magazine — Officials at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) announced Thursday that it will soon ban all curbside pickups by ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft as well as pickups by taxis. Read More
World's Largest Car Rental Provider Introduces Entegral Technology Solution
Enterprise Holdings — Enterprise Holdings today launched Entegral, the new name for its integrated software solution that streamlines the post-accident process to assist service providers working to get customers on their way and back into a vehicle. Read More
Uber Adds More Services to Its App in Its Quest for Profit
Meetings & Conventions — Uber is cramming more services into its ride-hailing app as it explores was to generate more revenue and finally turn a profit. Read More
Texas High-Speed Rail Project Picks Up Speed
Transportation Today — A proposed Dallas to Houston high-speed rail project, with an overall estimated price tag of $20 billion, gained momentum this month when developer Texas Central announced it had signed a design-build contract with multinational civil engineering contractor Salini Impregilo and its U.S. subsidiary Lane Construction Corp. Read More
Amtrak Retiring Its Dining Cars on Long-Distance Trains
Travel Market Report — The company will instead offer a new experience that it says is more “flexible” and “contemporary” than before. Read More
Choice Hotels Welcomes Third Cambria In South Carolina
Choice Hotels — Brand continues strong growth in the Carolinas…Read More
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Announces Major Overhaul of Brands, New Tech Initiatives
Business Traveller — Business travellers to the United States staying in hotel brands under the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts umbrella can expect to see some changes to their travel experience in the near future, and travellers around the Asia-Pacific region can look forward to seeing several new openings from the company. Read More
Hyatt Introduces Caption By Hyatt
4Hoteliers — Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced Caption by Hyatt, a new lifestyle brand within the select service category that will bring people closer together, allowing them to work, eat or socialize in comfortable, flexible, communal spaces that encourage meaningful conversations and connections. Read More
Virgin Hotels Coming to Miami
Travel Market Report — The 40-story new-build hotel will be located in the heart of downtown Miami's Financial District in the bustling Brickell neighborhood. Read More
Radisson Adds Two New York Properties
Business Traveller — Radisson Hotel Group has announced the addition of two New York properties under its Radisson brand. Read More
How to Stay Healthy While Traveling
Successful Meetings — A little planning and a lot of water can go a long way. Read More
American Express to Revamp Delta SkyMiles Line
Business Travel News — American Express will relaunch its entire Delta SkyMiles portfolio on Jan. 30, 2020, rolling out redesigned versions of all seven SkyMiles personal and small and midsize business cards. Read More
FAA to Test If Plane Seats Too Snug for Safety
USA Today — The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that it plans on conducting evacuation testing later this year to determine how easily passengers are able to exit an aircraft in the event of an emergency. Read More
The 7 Deadly Sins to Avoid in Your Next Sales Incentive
Creative Group — Learn the psychology behind developing an incentive that works and incentive ideas for sales you can start implementing today! Read More
4 Meeting Properties Coming to the Palm Beaches
Northstar Meetings Group — Dotted with palm trees, these conference-friendly hotels add yet more lures to Florida's Atlantic Coast. Read More
Massive Meetings Hotel Heads to Atlanta Airport
Northstar Meetings Group — The 14-story Hilton property will bring new rooms, event space and more to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Read More
Tucson Complex Getting $65 Million Renovation
Venues Now — The Tucson Convention Center, which includes 205,000 square feet of meeting space, will undergo a renovation that will introduce new meeting rooms and a new floor for a ballroom. Read More
5 Conference-Friendly Hotels to Consider in Brooklyn
Northstar Meetings Group — Brooklyn is far and away the trendiest of NYC’s boroughs, the place to mingle with hipsters while savoring artisanal eats and craft cocktails. Now Brooklyn is emerging as a hot destination for meetings, thanks to the borough’s growing supply of full-service hotels. Read More
Here Are 4 New Meeting Hotels Coming to the Palm Beaches
Northstar Meetings Group — These conference-friendly properties are yet more lures to Florida's Atlantic Coast for planners. 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.