Travel Week in Review – May 17, 2024

That rebound was heralded by many destination marketers during U.S. Travel Association’s annual IPW conference here. But the good news was tempered by what travel pros said was a fragmented recovery, with some areas benefitting more than others. International travel to the U.S. overall is expected to reach 98% of 2019 levels this year, up from 84% in 2023. A full recovery is expected next year. Visit Florida is among the DMOs saying that it expects international visitation to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year. Read More…

Etihad Airways has launched a complimentary stopover program, allowing travelers to book up to two complimentary nights at “a range of premier hotels” in Abu Dhabi, the carrier announced last week. Launched in conjunction with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, the offer allows travelers to select a hotel when booking their flight but is available only to travelers booking direct on the carrier’s website. Read More…

As people in the United States prepare for the Memorial Day holiday travel period, Airlines for America (A4A) expects that carriers will transport an estimated 271 million passengers around the world this summer. The A4A estimate for the period between June 1 and August 31 represents a 6.3 percent increase from last summer and would surpass the previous record of 255 million customers transported. To accommodate the increased demand, U.S. airlines will offer expanded service this summer. Read More…

Election years can be stressful; tensions often run high. But does that have any effect on travel? The answer may depend on who you consult. Tim Sawhook, owner of Exclusive Travel Partners, a Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) affiliate in Ohio, believes an election year has both positive and negative effects on the industry. Read More…

Most international travelers will agree: There are few things as annoying and inconvenient as a long layover. You know the type, right? Layovers that feel long enough to bore the daylights out of you… but not long enough to actually force you to leave the airport — especially when said layover is in the middle of the night or in the early hours of the morning. Left standing there, stuck between home and your destination, the question of how to spend your time and what to do with all these tedious hours comes up. Read More…