Amex GBT Ovation’s (Ovation™) weekly consumer e-newsletter, the Knowledgeable Traveler, retains readers up to date on journey business information and developments.
Following is a recap of August’s high 5 (most clicked by Ovation purchasers) e-newsletter tales.
1. US SENATE INTRODUCES BILL TO ELIMINATE HOTEL RESORT FEES
Two US Senators have launched a invoice designed to pressure inns and resorts to be extra clear about charges, reviews NBC Information. The invoice, referred to as the Resort Charges Transparency Act, would set up federal pointers for pricing transparency. The laws would require anybody promoting a lodge room or a short-term rental to obviously state upfront the ultimate worth a traveler would pay to e-book lodging. It will make the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) accountable for pursuing violations, and it says state attorneys normal might additionally deliver civil motion for violations. “Too usually, Individuals making reservations on-line are being met with hidden charges that make it troublesome to check costs and perceive the true price of an in a single day keep,” mentioned Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, who’s introducing the invoice with Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas. “This bipartisan laws would assist enhance transparency in order that vacationers could make knowledgeable selections.” Client Stories estimated that the lodge business introduced in $2.9 billion in resort charges in 2018. Consequently, the Biden Administration introduced that they might goal junk charges in numerous industries, together with inns and resorts.
2. US AIRLINES SEEK EXTENSIONS TO NEW YORK FLIGHT CUTS
Main US airways have requested the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase cuts to minimal flight necessities at New York Metropolis-area airports in addition to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA), citing a scarcity of enough air visitors management staffing, reviews Reuters. In March, the FAA agreed to the request of Delta and United to quickly return as much as 10% of slots and flights at New York-area airports and DCA by September 15. Lately, Airways for America (A4A), a commerce group representing main carriers, requested that the cuts be prolonged by October 28, saying air visitors staffing ranges in a key northeastern sector haven’t “meaningfully improved.” A4A mentioned air visitors management staffing and excessive climate “are distinctive circumstances past our management.” The group added, “Granting aid for the remainder of the summer season season is in the most effective curiosity of the flying public as a result of it’ll reduce disruptions and supply larger predictability for airways and shoppers.” Airways can lose their slots at congested airports if they don’t use them not less than 80% of the time. The FAA mentioned earlier this week that it was “within the last levels of overview and can determine quickly.”
3. BRAZIL IS BRINGING BACK VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR US TRAVELERS
Brazil will reimpose visa necessities on vacationers coming from the US, Canada, and Australia starting October 1, reviews Journey Pulse. The choice has to do with the reimplementation of reciprocity measures by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s new administration, which got here into energy in 2023. Beginning October 1, Individuals who plan on touring to Brazil might want to receive a Go to Visas, or ‘Vistos de Visita’ (VIVIS), which may be requested by a web-based utility. The digital visa will allow vacationers to stay in Brazil for as much as 90 days for the needs of tourism, enterprise, transit, research, volunteer work, and so on. Visa necessities embody a passport that’s legitimate by the tip of their deliberate journey to Brazil, proof of residency for non-US residents, a letter stating the aim of journey, cost of visa processing charges ($160 for US residents), proof of an outbound transportation ticket inside 90 days of entry, full journey itinerary with lodge reservation/host invitation, and proof of adequate monetary solvency to maintain the traveler throughout their go to. On high of securing a sound visa, vacationers also needs to be aware that their passport should include not less than two clean pages or they threat being denied entry into Brazil, per worldwide journey laws.
4. DELTA ADDS FLIGHTS TO LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN WINTER SCHEDULE
Delta Air Traces has introduced that it’s going to add greater than 35,000 seats to its 2023-24 winter flight schedule to Latin America and the Caribbean. The extra service contains greater than 1,000 weekly flights to the area, whereas enhancing flight frequencies from six of its US hubs. This development interprets to a 30% enhance in obtainable seats in comparison with final yr’s winter season, with added frequencies to 9 locations together with Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico. Further routes with added flights embody Cancun to New York Metropolis’s JFK; San Juan to Boston; and Detroit to Punta Cana, Montego Bay, and San Juan. The airline can be including service from Minneapolis to Liberia, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, and San Juan.
5. ATLANTA HARTSFIELD-JACKSON AIRPORT TO OPEN PRIVATE, LUXURY TERMINAL IN SEPTEMBER
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Worldwide Airport (ATL) will open a brand new personal terminal in September, providing comfort and luxurious for vacationers to fly commercially with out coming into the airport, reviews CNN. The event of the terminal comes by a partnership with PS, an organization that gives personal luxurious terminal service for industrial flights. It’s the second terminal PS has developed for an airport within the US, with an identical personal terminal having been open at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) since 2017. In line with PS, the terminal will function personal TSA screening, together with onsite customs and immigration processing. A PS host may also deal with all baggage, and vacationers can be escorted to their flight by a personal driver. Facilities within the terminal embody an in depth menu of cocktails, chef-prepared meals, in addition to spa and wonder choices equivalent to massages, manicures, and barber providers. The corporate mentioned the expertise is harking back to a personal members membership and is ideal for getting work finished, conversing, or stress-free. A non-membership expertise prices $1,095, whereas the annual price for an all-access membership is $4,850. PS plans so as to add extra personal terminals at Dallas-Fort Price (DFW) in spring 2024 and Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA) in 2025.