August 14, 2018

Direct Travel

News Briefs

August 14, 2018

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Airlines adding more routes, Rising fuel costs affect Canada fares, The future of security at small airports, Self-driving taxis, Hotel updates, How the evolving car rental industry will impact your travel program, and more!

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How the Evolving Car Rental Industry Will Impact Your Travel Program

Vehicle rental suppliers have evolved much over the past decade. Electric cars have become a serious option for anybody in the market for a car, people are using ride-hailing and ride-sharing apps for short trips, and companies are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact as it relates to travel. Read More


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Korean Air: Boston-Seoul Non-stops to Begin in April

USA Today —New Seoul-Boston flights come as part of a new joint-venture between Korean and U.S. partner Delta Air Lines. It allows them to coordinate schedules. Read More

American Airlines Adds Tokyo-Las Vegas Nonstops, But Only for 11 Days

USA Today —The flights, which start Jan. 4 and run through Jan. 14, coincide with the 2019 CES consumer electronics show – one of Las Vegas’ top corporate draws. Read More

Delta Releases Performance Metrics for Corporates

Buying Business Travel —Delta Air Lines has launched two metrics that provide corporate customers with detailed operational performance information on specific flights, including itineraries with connections. Read More

Delta Air Lines Adding Delta One Suites on More Asia Pacific Routes

Travel Mole —Premium Select also coming to Sydney and Tokyo…Read More

American Airlines to Offer Weekly Seasonal Chicago-Aruba Service

Caribbean Journal —American Airlines will launch weekly seasonal service between Aruba and Chicago O’Hare International Airport, starting Dec. 22. Read More

Rising Fuel Costs Will Drive Air Canada Fare Increases

Business Travel News —Air Canada aims to offset rising fuel costs in part with fare increases, president and CEO Calin Rovinescu said. Read More

United Strengthens Domestic Route with 33 New Destinations

Insider Travel Report —United Airlines said it will begin new daily service between its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and Miami International Airport. Read More

American Airlines Eases Carry-On Limits for Basic Economy Fares

Travel Market Report —American Airlines is making Basic Economy fares a little less basic – but still keeping most of the rules that make this the most bare-bones of the major carrier fare offerings. Read More


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TSA Looks at Separate Lines for Fliers ‘Swept’ by Canines

USA Today —In a wide-ranging chat, the TSA chief talked about (not) eliminating security at small airports, rolling out 3D scanners and the role of bomb-sniffing dogs. Read More

‘Not Worth the Risks’: TSA Chief Will Keep Checkpoints at 150 Smaller Airports

USA Today —The Transportation Security Administration will keep checkpoints at the 150 smallest airports, despite study about possibly close them to save money. Read More

New TSA Scanners Could Allow Travelers to Keep Their Liquids and Laptops

Travel Market Report —By the end of the year, the agency will be testing new CT scanners for carry-ons at 15 airports, reducing the need for bag checks. Read More

A Newly-Disclosed TSA Surveillance Program Monitors Air Passengers Even If They Have No Known Terrorist Ties

Fortune Magazine —Do you sweat heavily or use the restroom frequently while flying within the U.S.? If so, there’s a chance that federal air marshals have reported you under a previously undisclosed program called “Quiet Skies.” Read More

Government Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More


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Amtrak Unveils New Interiors for Acela Express Fleet

Insider Travel Report —Call it America’s high-speed rail network. Acela, the express train that links Boston New York, Philadelphia, Baltim…Read More

Waymo Begins Experimenting With Self-Driving Taxi Prices

The Verge —Alphabet unit is also taking early steps to position itself as a link to public transportation…Read More


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Cambria Hotels Opens in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

PR Newswire —Choice Hotels International, Inc. in collaboration with developers SpringBridge Development, LLC and Landmark Enterprises, today opened the doors of the Cambria Hotel Mount Pleasant in coastal South Carolina. Read More

HNA Group agrees to sell Radisson Holdings to Jin Jiang

Travel Mole —Minnesota group to remain in Chinese ownership…Read More

Airports Find a New Source of Revenue: Attaching Hotels to Terminals

CNBC —The recently opened InterContinental Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Hotel is an example of how more airports are adding attached hotels to accommodate travelers. Read More

Hyatt Retreats From Offer to Buy Spain’s NH Hotels

Meetings & Conventions —Potential deal collapses after another hotel chain increases its own stake in NH…Read More

Marriott, Ritz, Starwood Loyalty Merger Date Announced

Travel Pulse —The frequent-guest programs for Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Starwood Hotels will officially merge as of Aug. 18, according to Marriott’s website. Read More

IHG Reveals UK Kimpton and Voco Locations

Buying Business Travel —The Intercontinental Hotels Group recently disclosed the debut UK locations for its new Voco Hotels and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants brands. Read More


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Travelers Don’t Seek Health Advice When Going Abroad

4Hoteliers —Even if visiting known mosquito-borne diseases areas…Read More

Demand for In-flight Wi-Fi is Driving Airline Loyalty Among Passengers

International Airport Review —More than half of airline passengers in a new survey consider in-flight Wi-Fi crucial and two-thirds would be more likely to rebook with an airline that offered it. Read More

5 Simple Tips to Help Vegetarian or Vegan Travelers Eat Well, Anywhere

New York Times —Traveling while vegetarian or vegan can be a challenge, but with a few tips and a little tech, you can roam freely, eat well and not have to worry about going hungry. Read More

How to Bump Germs Off Your Flight

Meetings & Conventions —These kits are a must to protect against nasty microbes…Read More


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Are you focusing on the right ROI?

Creative Group — In a podcast conducted by Alex Palmer, Managing Editor at Incentive Magazine, two industry experts agree that we might not always be focusing on the right ROI. Melissa Van Dyke, President of the Incentive Research Foundation and Paul Hebert, Director of Solution Architecture at Creative Group explained why the behaviors derived from incentive programs are just as important as the hard number calculations…Read More

What the “Best Companies to Sell For” Have in Common

Creative Group —If you want your company to be thought of as the Best Company to Sell For, you’ll need to build a culture of training, collaboration, appreciation, recognition and of course, rewards…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: [email protected].

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