Amex GBT Ovation’s (Ovation™) weekly consumer e-newsletter, the Knowledgeable Traveler, retains readers up to date on journey trade information and traits.
Following is a recap of August’s high 5 (most clicked by Ovation shoppers) e-newsletter tales.
1. US SENATE INTRODUCES BILL TO ELIMINATE HOTEL RESORT FEES
Two US Senators have launched a invoice designed to pressure resorts and resorts to be extra clear about charges, experiences NBC Information. The invoice, known as the Resort Charges Transparency Act, would set up federal tips for pricing transparency. The laws would require anybody promoting a lodge room or a short-term rental to obviously state upfront the ultimate value a traveler would pay to e book lodging. It will make the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) liable for pursuing violations, and it says state attorneys basic might additionally carry 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 value of an in a single day keep,” stated 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.” Shopper Experiences estimated that the lodge trade introduced in $2.9 billion in resort charges in 2018. In consequence, the Biden Administration introduced that they’d goal junk charges in numerous industries, together with resorts 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 an absence of ample air visitors management staffing, experiences Reuters. In March, the FAA agreed to the request of Delta and United to briefly return as much as 10% of slots and flights at New York-area airports and DCA by way of September 15. Not too long ago, Airways for America (A4A), a commerce group representing main carriers, requested that the cuts be prolonged by way of October 28, saying air visitors staffing ranges in a key northeastern sector haven’t “meaningfully improved.” A4A stated 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 one of the best curiosity of the flying public as a result of it should reduce disruptions and supply better predictability for airways and shoppers.” Airways can lose their slots at congested airports if they don’t use them a minimum of 80% of the time. The FAA stated earlier this week that it was “within the last phases of evaluation 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, experiences 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 get hold of a Go to Visas, or ‘Vistos de Visita’ (VIVIS), which might be requested by way of an internet software. The digital visa will allow vacationers to stay in Brazil for as much as 90 days for the needs of tourism, enterprise, transit, examine, volunteer work, and so forth. Visa necessities embody a passport that’s legitimate by way of the tip of their deliberate journey to Brazil, proof of residency for non-US residents, a letter stating the aim of journey, fee 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 ample monetary solvency to maintain the traveler throughout their go to. On high of securing a legitimate visa, vacationers also needs to word that their passport should include a minimum of 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 consists of 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% improve in out there 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 non-public terminal in September, providing comfort and luxurious for vacationers to fly commercially with out coming into the airport, experiences CNN. The event of the terminal comes by way of a partnership with PS, an organization that gives non-public luxurious terminal service for industrial flights. It’s the second terminal PS has developed for an airport within the US, with an identical non-public terminal having been open at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) since 2017. In line with PS, the terminal will characteristic non-public TSA screening, together with onsite customs and immigration processing. A PS host may also deal with all baggage, and vacationers will likely be escorted to their flight by a non-public driver. Facilities within the terminal embody an in depth menu of cocktails, chef-prepared meals, in addition to spa and wonder choices akin to massages, manicures, and barber providers. The corporate stated the expertise is harking back to a non-public members membership and is ideal for getting work executed, conversing, or enjoyable. A non-membership expertise prices $1,095, whereas the annual payment for an all-access membership is $4,850. PS plans so as to add extra non-public terminals at Dallas-Fort Price (DFW) in spring 2024 and Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA) in 2025.
