Hotel companies like Marriott International and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) are increasingly shifting their focus to Chinese travelers due to a surge in China’s travel market, according to a recent article by Business Vancouver. This shift in focus has resulted in major expansions in China, with some international hotel chains even launching brands tailored to…
Mergers and acquisitions are all the rage this week! Reuters reports Alaska Air completed its acquisition of Virgin America in a $2.6 billion deal. According to Buying Business Travel, Lufthansa Group completed its acquisition of Brussels Airlines, purchasing the remaining 55 percent of shares for €2.6 million. Financial Times reports car rental company Europcar announced plans to acquire…
At GBTA’s annual Convention this July, the Aviation Committee unveiled a new Airline Request for Proposal (RFP). GBTA is excited to announce that it is making this new RFP toolkit available free of charge to all in the industry. This new Airline RFP is a complete revamp of an eight-year-old document and will ease the…
According to the Chicago Tribune, a new study suggests the TSA would save $34 million a year by making PreCheck free for frequent fliers. In addition to saving millions, the agency could create shorter lines and enhance security at many of the nation’s airports. Earlier this year, the GBTA Aviation Committee unveiled a new, revamped…
Late last week, Brazil’s competition regulator Cade approved Qatar Airways’ stake purchase in Latam Airlines. Earlier this year in July, Qatar Airways agreed to acquire up to 10 percent of Latam’s shares, granted they moved forward with a $613 million capital increase. Around the same time, GBTA’s Nancy Tudorache had an opportunity to chat with…
Two weeks ago, the GBTA Foundation, in partnership with HRS, released a report identifying business traveller perspectives on company travel policies, compliance and valued amenities. Here’s a quick breakdown of highlights from the report:
Just last week, Alaska Airlines used a wood-based biofuel to power a cross-country flight from Seattle to Washington, D.C. The flight was powered by a jet fuel blend containing 20 percent renewable biofuel made from the leftovers of logging. The airline reports it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 142,000 metric tons of CO2 annually…
The Verge reports Airbnb is transforming from a short-term rental company into a full-scale travel agency. The company launched a new initiative called Airbnb Trips that enables travelers to experience new cities from a local’s perspective. According to The New York Times, the platform allows travelers to partake in activities ranging from stargazing outings to historical tours….
GBTA recently released a business travel outlook forecasting sluggish business travel growth due to U.S. election uncertainty. Although the election outcome is now certain, many believe the future of the travel industry remains unclear. With Donald Trump elected as the 45th president of the United States, industry insiders hope for policies encouraging the free flow…
Do you have a driver’s license issued by the state of Washington, Minnesota, or Missouri? As of late January 2018, you may be unable to use it to fly domestically within the United States. From 2008 to 2011, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorized $263 million in grants to improve the security of state-issued…
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