In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Duty of Care in a corporate travel program, US/Canada borders to remain closed, more countries ease restrictions, CDC changes international passenger screening, state-by-state travel restrictions, airline flight service changes, how airport security has changed, hotel updates, Hawaii eliminates quarantine requirement, traveler tips and more!
Everything You Need to Know About Traveler Quarantine
With COVID-19 cases receding across much of the US, some domestic and international travel restrictions have started to adjust in response. While this is a positive trend for business travel, this doesn’t make navigating the variances in rules and advisories any less daunting, particularly in the case of mandatory traveler quarantines. Read More
From Travel Manager to Travel Enabler: How Policies, Standards and Roles Must Change
PhocusWire — Duty of care is now more complex and important than ever. Ninety‐six percent of global travel managers report that their company was not fully prepared to manage travel disruptions during the COVID‐19 outbreak, according to a recent SAP Concur study. Read More
U.S.-Canada Border to Remain Closed Until At Least Oct. 21
Travel Market Report — Canada’s Minister for Public Safety Bill Blair on Friday announced that the U.S.-Canada border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least October 21 as COVID-19 continues to impact international travel. Read More
California, Ohio, Maryland Among Six States Removed from New York, New Jersey Quarantine Order
USA Today — Travelers from California and five other states will no longer have to quarantine upon arriving in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Read More
More Countries Ease Travel Restrictions
TTR Weekly — Just over half of destinations worldwide (53%) have now started easing travel restrictions introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations World Tourism Organization claims in its latest update. Read More
CDC Changing COVID-19 Screening for International Air Passengers
USA Today — Starting Sept. 14, the U.S. will replace its current system of temperature and symptom checks with one that focuses on where travelers have been. Read More
Covid-19 Travel Restrictions State by State
CNN — With the Covid-19 pandemic in near constant fluctuation in the United States, the 50 states are having to adapt rapidly with their rules and regulations. Read More
US State Department Updates Mexico Travel Advisory
Travel Pulse — Mexico is now at a Level 3 warning as the country has lifted some stay-at-home orders. Read More
The Latest Caribbean Travel Protocols for U.S. Visitors
Travel Weekly — Several Caribbean islands are reopening to international tourism, with protocols in place to protect visitors and residents against Covid-19. Read More
American Airlines May Not Cut Flights to Some Smaller Cities After All
Frequent Business Traveler — American Airlines said it was taking another look at its plan to discontinue service to two smaller cities, Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Roswell, New Mexico. Read More
United Will Use Antimicrobial Spraying Robots on Some Aircraft
ABC News (video) — United Airlines is turning to a 100-pound robot in its latest effort to reassure customers that flying during the COVID-19 pandemic is safe. Read More
American Airlines Shifting Asia Hub to Dallas-Fort Worth
Travel Mole — Airline says LAX transpacific market is saturated…Read More
United Airlines Resumes Existing, Adds New Service to Key West
Travel Pulse — United Airlines announced it would resume daily nonstop service to Key West from Chicago O’Hare and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty international airports on October 1. Read More
American Airlines to Cut Service to These U.S. Cities—Will There Be More
Afar — On October 7, American will stop flying to 15 domestic airports. Read More
Delta Air Lines Suspends Joint-venture with Virgin Australia
Travel Mole — Joint venture will resume if Virgin restarts transpacific flights…Read More
United Adds October Capacity
Business Travel News — United Airlines in October will resume or begin new service on 50 domestic and 23 international routes, the carrier announced Friday, and will operate about 40 percent of its schedule compared with October 2019. Read More
United Airlines Debuts Interactive Map Displaying State Coronavirus-Related Travel Restrictions
Frequent Business Traveler — United Airlines introduced an interactive map that displays current information about any coronavirus-related restrictions at destinations in the United States. Read More
Air Canada Partners for Study to Test Quarantine Policy
Business Travel News — Air Canada is testing the effectiveness of 14-day quarantine periods via a voluntary testing program for international travelers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Read More
Delta, TSA to Add Antimicrobial Bins to Five U.S. Airports
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration are introducing antimicrobial bins to security checkpoints at five U.S. airports this month. Read More
How Airport Security Has Changed
Travel + Leisure — Travelers will notice a difference in the experience almost immediately when they step into the airport…Read More
TSA Hits Highest Passenger Numbers Since March
Travel Market Report — On Friday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) saw 968,673 passengers travel through U.S. airport security checkpoints, the highest number since COVID-19 began to impact the travel industry in March. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Travelers Say Rental Cars Safest Form of Transportation Amid COVID-19
Travel Pluse — Road trips remain nearly as popular as ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic and that's because travelers continue to feel the safest inside of their personal vehicle. Read More
Amtrak Adds RideReserve Tool to Ensure Social Distancing on Trains
Travel Pulse — Amtrak is helping people feel safer on its busiest trains by allowing customers who purchase multi-ride tickets to confirm their travel on a specific train and date. Read More
Amtrak Enhances Safety Protocols
Prevue — Amtrak announced enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols and a new partnership with the makers of Lysol. Read More
NH Hotel Group Redefines the Customer Experience and Enhances Safety in its Hotels with the Launch of Feel Safe at NH
Hospitality Net — NH Hotel Group, one of the leading urban hotel companies in Europe and America, has launched a new set of measures to address the current health crisis. Read More
Business Travel News — InterContinental Hotels Group's upscale Voco brand, which launched in 2018 in Australia and Europe, is poised to debut in the United States with three properties by the first quarter of 2021, IHG SVP of development for the Americas Julienne Smith said. Read More
MGM Resorts Adopts Smoke-free Policy for Vegas Strip Casino
Meetings & Conventions — An expert says a ban on tobacco smoking might be easier to put in place now, as people are required to wear masks...Read More
Google Is Bringing Nest Hub to Hotel Rooms
ZDNet — The voice-activated smart display offers a hands-free way to get information, communicate with hotel staff and control your guest-room environment…Read More
Hawaii Will Allow Incoming Travelers to Skip Quarantine Starting on Oct. 15
Travel Market Report — The program will allow visitors to come into Hawaii, show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72-hours of arrival, and avoid the state’s 14-day mandatory quarantine. Read More
This Airport Just Became the World’s First to Get a Five-Star COVID-19 Rating
Afar — Global airline and airport ranking provider Skytrax recently began evaluating airports based on measures they have in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Read More
Consumer Confidence in Travel Continues to Build
Travel Pulse — More Americans feel comfortable with travel in spite of COVID-19. Read More
Salt Lake Unveils Its New $4 Billion International Airport with Delta’s Newest Skyclub
Insider Travel Report — The new Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), developed by the Salt Lake City Department of Airports with a design by HOK architects, is open for Phase One, while Phase Two is scheduled to open in 2024. Read More
Relax Before the Runway: 5 Things to Know About the Admirals Club Experience
Wheels Up Network — American Airlines Admirals Club lounges reopen in seven more airports…Read More
Have Covid-19 Test Results, Will Travel
CNN — After our summer of housebound limbo, a handful of international travel options are finally opening back up, with conditions. Read More
13 Tricks for Sleeping Better on Planes
SmarterTravel — Sleeping on planes is nearly impossible—but these tips can help. Read More
Nine Tips on Traveling During COVID from Allianz’s Medical Consultant
Insider Travel Report — For those planning to hit the roads or take to the skies for domestic or even international travel as foreign destinations...Read More
More and More Americans Now Consider Vacations Safe
Travel Market Report — The latest consumer data from MMGY shows some of the most encouraging signs since the COVID-19 pandemic started…Read More
How to Hold a Successful In-Person Event Right Now
Successful Meetings — Indianapolis hosted 18 events over 40 days, with a combined attendance of 40,000 people. Read More
Hyatt Prepares for Hybrid Events
Business Travel News — BTN spoke with Hyatt about how the company is preparing for the return of in-person events, particularly hybrid ones. Read More
IHG Bolsters Meet With Confidence Program
Travel Pulse — IHG has enhanced its Meet with Confidence program with an emphasis on cleanliness and flexibility in the time of coronavirus. 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.