September 22, 2020

Direct Travel

News Briefs

September 22, 2020

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!

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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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: [email protected].

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