Mitigating Uncertainty through a Strong Travel Policy & TMC Partner
The pandemic has forced even the most nimble of businesses to rethink long-established policies and shift priorities at a moment’s notice. In fact, an outstanding 96 percent of employees surveyed by SAP Concur indicated that their organizations were not adequately prepared to address the problems triggered by COVID-19. This poses a formidable challenge to driving business growth, a topic we explored in depth in this recent blog post…Read More
How In-Person Meetings Can Help Rebuild Your Business
Growth is a goal for every company, no matter the business size or industry sector. Yet for many organizations in 2020, plans for growth were temporarily paused and replaced with new priorities of mitigating losses and shoring up safety concerns…Read More
Survey: Buyers Generally Not Opposed to Pre-Trip Testing, Vaccine Mandates
Business Travel News — Most business travel managers and procurement professionals aren’t necessarily opposed to corporate requirements that employees be tested for or vaccinated against Covid-19 before allowing them to travel for business. Read More
Canada Tightens Border Further, Will Require Negative COVID Test
USA Today — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that any nonessential traveler arriving in Canada by land will need to show a negative COVID test. Read More
The Latest Updates on International Gathering and Travel Restrictions
Northstar Meetings Group — New quarantine measures have been introduced in Canada and England. Travelers who do not comply with the regulations face hefty fines and potential jail time. Read More
New JetBlue, American Codesharing to Begin
Business Travel News — American Airlines and JetBlue will begin selling codeshare routes, as the carriers prepare to add new service in the coming months as part of their partnership. Read More
Window or Aisle? Delta Seat Blocks Lead to Highest Yields
Travel Weekly — The carrier positioned itself as a “premium” airline. It appears to be paying off. Read More
American Airlines Now Offering At-Home COVID Tests to Help Avoid Quarantines
Travel Market Report — American Airlines announced that it would start offering its guests $129 at-home COVID-19 tests ahead of travel, giving them the option in order to avoid quarantines. Read More
Delta Expands Service To Latin America With New Routes
Travel Pulse — Delta Air Lines is resuming passenger flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Read More
American Airlines Adds 2 New Destinations and 7 Flights in Latest Route Map Shakeup
The Points Guy — American Airlines is adding two brand-new destinations to its network. The Fort Worth-based carrier confirmed that it will be launching its first-ever flights to Eureka, California (ACV) and Idaho Falls, Idaho (IDA) this summer. Read More
United Launches “Travel Ready Center” So Passengers Can Get COVID-19 Test at Airport
CBS — United Airlines is now the first U.S. airline to offer passengers access to in-airport coronavirus testing. Read More
Airlines Add Service to Mexican Caribbean, as Demand Remains Strong
Travel Market Report — American Airlines and Frontier are adding service to meet new demand. Read More
United Adds New Hawaii Flights From These U.S. Cities
Afar Magazine — It just got easier to get to the Hawaiian Islands this summer from the West Coast, Midwest, and East Coast. Read More
British Airways Expands VeriFLY Health Passport To All Inbound Flights
Simple Flying — British Airways is expanding its optional health passport app to all passengers flying to the United Kingdom. Read More
Delta Cuts 9 Routes, Adds 7 Others in Sweeping Route-map Shakeup
The Points Guy — Delta Air Lines is adding five new routes, meanwhile, nine other routes will remain suspended until at least the end of the year. Read More
Air Canada, WestJet Suspend Flights to Mexico, Caribbean
Business Travel News — Air Canada and WestJet each have temporarily suspended flights to Mexico and the Caribbean as a part of new, stricter travel restrictions announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Read More
American Airlines Plans 7 New International Routes, Will Link Miami to Tel Aviv and Suriname
Frequent Business Traveler — American Airlines announced plans to launch multiple new international flights…Read More
Delta Extends Middle Seat Blocking Policy Through April
Insider Travel Report — Delta is extending its policy of blocking middle seats and limiting capacity on all flights departing through April 30…Read More
BA’s UK Government Quarantine Update for Inbound Passengers
British Airways — The UK Government has announced further measures at the UK border effective as of 15 February 2021. Read More
TSA Will Fine People $250 for Violating Face Mask Requirements at U.S. Airports
Travel Market Report — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated its plan to enforce the new airport face mask mandate. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
IHG Unveils 10-Year Sustainability Plan
Business Travel News — More than four in five adults—82 percent—from around the world are committed to taking their everyday sustainability habits with them when they travel, according to a survey released by InterContinental Hotels Group. IHG also announced a 10-year sustainability plan for the company. Read More
Radisson Blu Prepares To Open in Aruba
Travel Pulse — Radisson Blu, an upper upscale hotel brand delivering positive and personalized service in stylish spaces, today announced the opening of Radisson Blu Aruba, a one-of-a-kind new hotel located in Palm Beach, Aruba. Read More
Changes at InterContinental Hotels
Travel Weekly — IHG has revealed new branding, a new logo and new brand categories. Read More
Virgin Hotels Will Open Three Properties in the U.S. This Year
Travel Market Report — The openings include new properties in New Orleans, New York, and Las Vegas. Read More
Hawaii Partners With Clear to Seamlessly Integrate Travelers’ COVID-19 Test Results
Travel Pulse — Travelers on select United and Delta flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport will test a new program, which allows them to register and carry their negative COVID-19 test results via Clear’s Health Pass app. Read More
How to Avoid the Worst Seat on the Plane
Smarter Travel — You can make sure it never happens again with these simple tips. Read More
How Should You Deal with Travelers Who Don’t Think the Rules Apply to Them?
USA Today — Why do travelers feel the rules don’t apply to them? And how can you talk them into following the rules? It all comes down to politeness…Read More
Hawaii Partners With Clear to Allow Travelers with Negative COVID-19 Tests to Skip Quarantine
Travel Market Report — Hawaii is entering a new partnership with Clear’s Health Pass to make traveling to the Aloha state easier. Read More
This Airline Allows Masks to Come Off While Sleeping in Business or First
Afar Magazine — Cathay Pacific says passengers in business and first class can remove their masks while lying down to catch some shut-eye. Read More
How to Get Real, Actionable Feedback from Your Participants
Creative Group — Your participants have voices and you need to hear them. Creative Group provides insights into the survey questions that will enable you to turn post-event, participant feedback into successful future events. Read More
The CDC’s Latest Pandemic Guidelines for Events
Northstar Meetings Group — New CDC research reveals that double-masking or modifying the fit of a medical mask can significantly increase protection against Covid-19 transmission. Read More
How to Improve Networking at Virtual Events
Successful Meetings — Boost engagement and interaction among remote attendees with these 11 creative suggestions. Read More
Inclusivity Matters…Diversify Your Next Event
Creative Group — As industry leaders, it’s important to shine a spotlight on diversity and advocate for a more inclusive Meetings and Events Industry. Creative Group shares how you can take steps towards diversifying your next event. Read More