On the Go – December 14, 2023

Industry News – Click on the title to read the full article. Many of the sources below require a free registration to gain access to the article. If a paid registration is required, the individual source will be noted.

Airlines

Airlines Are Ready For Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Week (Source: Good Morning America)
After this year’s smooth Thanksgiving travel week with record traffic, airlines are ready for more holiday crowds as Christmas approaches. Airlines for America forecasts more than 39 million passengers will travel on U.S. airlines — about 2.8 million each day. Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest and United have detailed preparations and offered tips for passengers preparing their journeys.

Delta Air Lines Expands Presence In Miami (Source: Delta News Hub)
Delta Air Lines is adding additional flights to Orlando, Fla., Atlanta, Detroit, New York City and Minneapolis-St. Paul from Miami International Airport this winter. Managing Director Luciano Macagno says that the airline is “serious about its presence in Miami and across South Florida” and is “eagerly awaiting what the next year holds.”

Lufthansa Group Will Ramp Up U.S. Service Next Year (Source: Travel Weekly)
Lufthansa Group is expanding its U.S. presence in 2024, adding two new destinations for Lufthansa: Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Also, Swiss will add a U.S. destination: Washington, D.C.  Commencing in early June, an Airbus A330 will service Raleigh-Durham year-round with five weekly flights to and from Frankfurt. Raleigh-Durham’s research facilities and emerging technology companies make the new route an important conduit for academics and business travelers, Lufthansa said.

General Interest

Brazil To Require Visas From Americans Starting Next Month (Source: The Points Guy)
After dropping visa requirements for Americans in 2019, Brazil will resume such for Americans, Australians and Canadians wishing to visit the country starting next month.  As of Jan. 10, 2024, passport holders from the aforementioned countries must apply online for an electronic visa to enter the country for travelers whose stay in Brazil will not exceed 90 days or three months.

Security

How And Why Your TSA PreCheck Application Could Be Rejected (Source: Travel Market Report)
Recent troubling incidents involving passengers attempting to board flights with weapons in their carry-on luggage have highlighted one of the major potential consequences of this conduct – the loss of PreCheck status.  However, there are many other grounds for the TSA to refuse PreCheck status.

Airports

San Antonio Finalizes $1B Construction Of Airport Terminal (Source: KSAT-TV)
The San Antonio City Council recently voted to move forward with the $1 billion construction of a 17-gate terminal at San Antonio International Airport. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and finish in 2028, with little disruption to travelers.

Hotels

Choice Completes Radisson Americas Integration (Source: Business Travel News)
Choice Hotels International has fully integrated nearly 600 Radisson Hotels Americas’ properties into its network, the hotel company announced Wednesday.  The transition was completed more than one year following Choice’s acquisition of the hotel company, announced in June 2022 and finalized the following month.

Utah’s First Grand Hyatt Set For Park City In 2024 (Source: MeetingsNet)
In November, Hyatt Hotels announced that it will open its first Grand Hyatt-branded property in the state of Utah in a town that’s been named the best U.S. ski destination for 11 consecutive years: Park City.  The 387-room Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is expected to debut in November 2024 within the Deer Valley Resort district, home to luxury hotels such as the Montage Deer Valley, the St. Regis Deer Valley, and Stein Eriksen Lodge.

Leisure Travel

2023’s Best Bets In Las Vegas Hotels, Dining, Shows & More (Source: Travel Market Report)
The Las Vegas hospitality sector didn’t just survive the pandemic, it came roaring back in 2023 with new and upgraded products designed to lure ever more visitors to the city’s accommodations, food-and-beverage outlets, casinos, shows, and attractions.

The Top 10 Cities In Europe For Foodies, According To New Research (Source: Travel Trade)
New research has discovered the top 10 cities in Europe for foodies, with Paris taking the top spot. Women-only tour company Solo Female Travelers Tours analyzed data from TripAdvisor, including the number of restaurants offering local cuisine, Michelin-star establishments, and vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants in each European city. Index scores out of 10 were awarded for each factor based on the number of establishments, and this determined the ranking.