March 27, 2018

Direct Travel

News Briefs

March 27, 2018

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: travelers hit the road for spring break - an influx in airline passengers, TSA’s 2018 spring break tips, Google brings free Wi-Fi to Mexico, hotel expansions by major chains, networking tips for your next conference and more!

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Preventing Corporate Data Fraud with Travel Risk Management

When employees travel, the company data they have access to does too. Laptops, tablets, phones and other smart devices are targets for data thieves. A well-managed travel policy mitigates these threats for traveling employees and reduces risk to their employers. Read More

Park Smarter with Direct Travel and SpotHero for Business

Direct Travel is the first travel management company to offer SpotHero for Business, a mobile solution for corporate parking on the go. Read More


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American Airlines Finally Reaches Agreement for O’Hare Expansion

Travel Mole — AA threatened to block proposal due to ‘secret deal’ for rival United. Read More

A Massive Influx of Airline Passengers Is Coming

Travel Pulse — An estimated 150.7 million passengers are expected to fly during spring 2018. Read More

U.S. Airfares Reverse Downward Trend in February

Business Travel News — U.S. airfares edged up 0.6 percent from January to February on a seasonally adjusted basis, ending a streak of three months of declines. Read More

Delta Sky Club is Coming to Phoenix

Travel Pulse — The latest addition to Delta’s Sky Club offerings is slated to be open before the end of 2018. Read More

Delta Introduces New Direct Corporate Traveler Messaging Tools

Travel Pulse — The new suite of tools gives corporate travelers greater awareness about the benefits they receive. Read More


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Why is TSA Searching Domestic Flyers’ Phones?

SF Gate — New lawsuit digs for details…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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Hilton Steps Up Expansion in France

Travel Pulse — The Hilton Garden Inn Massy and the Hampton by Hilton Toulouse Airport have been added to the company’s development pipeline. Read More

Hampton by Hilton Expands US Portfolio

Travel Pulse — The upper-mid-scale brand adds rooms in five different states just in time for Spring Break. Read More

InterContinental Hotels Buys Majority Stake in Regent Hotels

Reuters — InterContinental Hotels Group agreed to buy a 51 percent stake in luxury brand Regent Hotels and Resorts for $39 million in cash as part of its plan to go more upmarket to tap customers willing to pay top prices. Read More

The Brands and Hotel Rooms of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, by the Numbers

USA Today — Hilton now has more than 5,200 hotels in 105 countries and territories. Read More

Marriott’s Autograph Collection Heading to Belize

Successful Meetings — Alaia, a boutique resort on the Belizean island of Ambergris Caye, is scheduled to open in 2020…Read More


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Delta Flight Scare is a Reminder Never to Put Electronics in Checked Baggage

MarketWatch — Ground crew in Salt Lake City smelled burning from a lithium-ion battery in the airplane’s cargo hold before take off. Read More

Airports Getting Friendlier for Blind Travelers

USA Today — A growing number of U.S. airports are embracing an augmented reality service to offer greater mobility and independence to blind…Read More

TSA’s 2018 Spring Break Travel Tips

TSA Blog — Ahhh, depending on what part of the country you’re in, there’s still a lot of cold weather to come, but spring break is in the air! Read More

Google Brings Free WiFi to Mexico

Travel Pulse — The California search giant is launching a network of more than 60 hotspots throughout the country. Read More

Asia’s Five Most Expensive Cities for Business Travel

Business Traveller — Whether its work expenses or your own personal budget, travelling for business can be an expensive endeavour. Hotel rooms, meals, and transport costs can all start to add up, and that’s before other expenses such as visas, currency exchange or amenities come into the mix. Read More

Airport to Have its Own City with Driverless Cars and Parachute Rides

USA Today — Travelers heading to Norway’s Oslo Airport will soon be able to spend their time in a 43-million-square-foot city adjacent to the airport. Read More

12 Things Flight Attendants Always Have With Them When They Fly

The Huffington Post — From lip balm to a bullet journal to a selfie stick…Read More


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5 Networking Tips For Your Next Conference

Forbes — Here are 5 tips to network efficiently at your next conference, and make it all worth it. Read More

Ritz-Carlton Wraps Meeting Space Renovation in St. Louis

Successful Meetings — The Ritz-Carlton, St, Louis, has completed an extensive renovation of its meeting and event space. Read More

Miami’s Reimagined Convention Center

Northstar Meetings Groups (video) — The $620 million renovation and expansion of the 60-year-old facility creates a multipurpose convention-center district that already is drawing locals… Explore it now! 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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