HOW TO TRAVEL IN EXTREME HEAT
Sizzling temperatures are more than an inconvenience: They can cause heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke – especially when travelling. Being prepared is the best way to beat the heat.
BORDER BLUSTER: Despite claims, drug seizure down at Canada-U.S. border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials told a hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that there’s been a significant drop in drug seizures at the border with Canada.
VISA TAPS TRAVEL MARKET: Mobile booking platform marks expansion beyond payments
Visa has launched its own travel platform – a move the digital payment service company says marks a strategic expansion of its role beyond simply payments.
OUT OF GAS: Cuba’s famous antique cars sit idle
A worsening fuel crisis across Cuba is testing the island’s famed “almendrones,” the vintage American cars that serve as vital shared taxis and embody the island’s ingenuity and endurance.
HOW MUCH FUN CAN A CARNIVAL BEACH HANDLE
By WALLACE IMMEN/ The numbers are staggering. Carnival’s private Caribbean port Celebration Key can now dock four mega-ships a day and see over 13,000 guests a day hitting the beaches and attractions.
LISTENING IN: Peace, love and Ringo
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ It seems like it was only a year ago that Ringo had a birthday. Well, he’s at it again, turning 86 on July 7. And is tradition, each year on that day (since 2008), the former Beatle invites people everywhere to pause at 12 noon local time to say, think, or post “Peace and Love” as a collective moment of global unity.
Check out our special inFocus Editions...
Just in case you missed yesterday’s stories…
CHORUS OF CONCERN: WTTC joins calls to fix chaotic EES system before it’s too late
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has joined the chorus of concern raised by Europe’s airport and airline community regarding the implementation of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES), urging governments to fix the chaotic system before it turns off tourists for good.
TRAVELPORT ADDS AC FLIGHT PASS CAPABILITY FOR NDC BOOKINGS
Travelport has announced the introduction of Air Canada Flight Pass capability within TripServices API and Smartpoint enabling Travelport-connected agencies to shop and book eligible Air Canada NDC offers using Flight Pass credits directly within the Travelport+ platform.
BARCELONA WARNED OVER CRUISE TAX HIKE: Tripling fee may have unintended consequences, says WTTC
Barcelona looks to set to increase its tourist tax on cruise ship passengers – a move approved by city council that would see fees nearly triple to €30 (CDN$48) for passengers on ships that spend less than 12 hours in the Spanish city.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: ACTA agents discovered Iceland with Aurora Expeditions, First in Service agents access the effects of the Iran war; Saint Lucia gave out its Grand Piton Awards; and Transat Distribution Canada took top agents to Portugal; and Collette unveils its new Selling Playbook for Travel Advisors … more
G ADVENTURES KICKS OFF SMALL GROUP SOCCER TRIPS
New (and always) football/soccer fans can carry on the World Cub experience as G Adventures launches “Away Games,” a new series of premium trips, designed to bring football/soccer enthusiasts together to celebrate the community, traditions and the passion that comes with football culture.
JET HITS DRONE: JetBlue incident shows growing threat to passenger planes
A passenger jet reported striking a drone while approaching JFK International Airport on Monday, and just hours later, a helicopter pilot alerted a close call with a remote-control airplane near the same airport.