TOURISM - TRAVEL NEWS

Discover it Chrome overviewThe Discover it® Chrome Card is a cash-back offering from Discover that earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (1% thereafter). You'll earn 1% cash back on everything else. It's a decent option for no annual fee, but there are better options out there for cash-back earnings on everyday purchases. Card … [Read more...]

Call it the most spectacular megaship that most Americans don't know exists.Unveiled just two years ago, MSC World Europa is massive on a scale rarely seen in the cruise world. At 215,863 gross tons, it's only a tad smaller than the ships in Royal Caribbean's iconic Oasis Class series, which for years have dominated the list of the world's biggest cruise vessels.And like those ships, it's loaded … [Read more...]

Call it the most spectacular megaship that most Americans don't know exists.Unveiled just two years ago, MSC World Europa is massive on a scale rarely seen in the cruise world. At 215,863 gross tons, it's only a tad smaller than the ships in Royal Caribbean's iconic Oasis Class series, which for years have dominated the list of the world's biggest cruise vessels.And like those ships, it's loaded … [Read more...]

It’s been a rough year for Star Alliance membership. It lost SAS to SkyTeam and now it’s set to lose Asiana after its merger with Korean Air was approved.  But it’s still the largest airline alliance in the industry, ahead of SkyTeam and Oneworld. Star Alliance members include United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Skift spoke with Star Alliance CEO Theo … [Read more...]

Confession: I work at The Points Guy and know almost nothing about points and miles. Sure, I've flown with just about every well-known airline and stayed with nearly every mainstream hotel chain you can think of, but for the most part, I was a bargain traveler hunting for the lowest price, brand loyalty be darned.When it came to credit cards, I had a Visa Platinum affiliated with my small credit … [Read more...]

Morocco has had one of its best years for tourism as the North African country shows that it is ready to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. The country had 15.9 million tourists by the end of November 2024, the Ministry of Tourism announced in a press release, a 20% increase over last year. Morocco’s tourism recovery gained momentum with a 23% increase in international visitors. In … [Read more...]

The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program recently switched from fixed-rate to dynamically priced redemptions, including new Saver fares, which offer excellent rates on off-peak dates. But as with many loyalty programs, finding the lowest award prices can be tricky.Luckily, Virgin Atlantic offers a handy tool called "Reward seat checker" to simplify the process.Here's how to use Virgin Atlantic's … [Read more...]

As air travel evolves in response to traveler expectations, customization is no longer a luxury — it is a given and table stakes for any airline hoping to compete for booking dollars.  In 2024, premium travelers already demand experiences that cater to their unique needs, whether business professionals balancing productivity and rest, leisure travelers seeking relaxation, or digitally … [Read more...]

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Thomas Barone squirreled away his rewards points for years so he could take his entire family on a luxurious Italian vacation in 2024 using Capital One miles earned with his Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Sadly, he unexpectedly died before he could fulfill that dream, leaving behind 878,000 Capital One miles.His wife, Linda Barone, hoped to redeem the points and take the family on that … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia’s multi-project developer, Red Sea Global (RSG), is on a mission to transform the country’s Red Sea coast into a global tourism hub. The company launched its first destination, The Red Sea, in 2023. Since then, it has made major strides in expanding its portfolio, opening four high-profile resorts in 2024, including St. Regis The Red Sea Resort, Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton-Resort, and the … [Read more...]

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Biometric screening, or touchless ID, is coming to an airport near you, and it will speed up your journey — especially through airport security.I'm a huge fan, and now that more airports are rolling out this technology, I want to share what it's like to use it.Essentially, the new technology allows facial recognition software to confirm your identity, check you in, print out your bag tags, and … [Read more...]

This is the seventh in a series of video diaries I am doing while spending time in Morocco for a family commitment. I am experimenting with this video diary format to share my thoughts on the travel industry through the lens of my stay here. Here’s the first one, which was on preserving authenticity in a digital age; the second one, on the renewed importance of … [Read more...]

There's big news on the rails this week: Amtrak just reached 20 million members of its Guest Rewards program.Launched in 2000, the Guest Rewards program was originally introduced to coincide with the launch of the Acela trainset that travels along the I-95 corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C.And what might've once been a program focused on road warriors based in the Northeast has since grown … [Read more...]

Take a look at any league table on travellers’ aspirational destination and the Maldives are up there.  Crystal clear seas caressing sugar white beaches, across an archipelago nation of almost 1,200 islands. The Maldives will always appear as one of the world’s dream destinations: pristine Robinson Crusoe landscapes meet contemporary luxury living. Veligandu Maldives Resort … [Read more...]

Skift Take 2025 is expected to be a banner year for travel tech M&A. Add-on acquisitions, particularly of companies with $5M-$50M ARR, are poised to set new records as platforms scale up and prepare for IPOs or acquisition by mega-cap firms. Travel tech industry is in for a big year of M&A, with … [Read more...]

Visiting Angkor Wat is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the best way to see the Angkor Wat temples is by being fully present in their awe-inspiring grandeur. Unfortunately, many travelers miss this chance by viewing the world’s largest religious monument through a screen rather than their own eyes. Constructed in the 12th Century as a Hindu temple and later transitioning … [Read more...]