Americans are set to hit the roads and skies in record numbers during the last dozen days of the year. About 119 million people will journey 50 miles or more during the Christmas season, according to estimates released Wednesday by travel organization AAA. This forecast represents a 3% increase compared to 2019. Key Takeaways: Air passengers: 7.85 million (up about 7% from … [Read more...]
How Wildlife Tourism Can Help Turn India Into a Force for Conservation — India Report
India’s Travel Operators For Tigers India Wildlife Association (TOFTigers) has urged the government to promote nature tourism as a tool to protect wildlife. The association cited studies that have shown that over the past 25 years, 10% of the Earth’s wilderness has been lost. The wildlife tourism market in India stood at $11.2 billion in 2023, according to business consulting firm Grand … [Read more...]
Thailand set to attract an estimated 4 million additional visitors a year following introduction of same-sex marriage act
Legislative change is expected to lift Thailand’s GDP by 0.3% by bringing in more revenue from tourism as well as generating a slew of new jobs across tourism and the broader economy BANGKOK, December 2024 – A recent study conducted by the digital travel platform Agoda highlights the significant impact of Thailand’s groundbreaking marriage equality legislation on the country’s tourism sector. … [Read more...]
Amtrak’s brand-new high-speed Acela trains finally set to enter service next spring
After more than a decade of planning and years of tests, Amtrak's high-speed, next-generation Acela trains are finally set to enter service early next year.The new Acela trains should enter revenue service at some point during the spring of 2025, the rail operator confirmed this week.It's a milestone that should bring far greater comfort — and capacity — to Amtrak's key Northeast Corridor service … [Read more...]
Discover Why You Should Travel to Puerto Vallarta
Experience the breathtaking beauty and vibrant culture of Puerto Vallarta for an unforgettable escape on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Read on to discover what awaits you when you travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Puerto Vallarta, a coastal paradise on Mexico’s Pacific coast, combines breathtaking natural beauty with vibrant culture and exciting activities. Whether planning a relaxing beach vacation or … [Read more...]
Why you should skip hosting for the holidays and go to a hotel
Here are a few things you should know about me. I love spending time with my friends and family. I love to cook. But I do not love hosting for the holidays.I know that some people absolutely do love preparing a big turkey dinner with all the fixings and inviting loved ones into their homes for the holidays. I am just not one of them. I don't like the amount of cooking, cleaning and hovering about … [Read more...]
Save on airport rides with this DashPass and Lyft promo
ADVERTISEMENTDec. 10, 2024•2 min readSave on airport rides with this DashPass and Lyft promoThe cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers … [Read more...]
Earning Aeroplan Points on Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations is Air Canada’s dedicated tour operator, offering a variety of pre-packaged trips to destinations worldwide, from all-inclusive beach resorts to iconic city escapes and even cruises.Not only do these packages provide convenience and value, but they also give you the unique opportunity to earn Aeroplan points on your bookings.In this post, we’ll explore how earning Aeroplan … [Read more...]
How to Spend 3 Days in Florence: Itinerary
Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks! Florence, Italy, is one of the most magnificent, inspiring, art-filled cities you will ever visit. This is the kind of city that you think about all the time for the rest of your life. There’s SO much to see in Florence, and it can be … [Read more...]
Exploring Marriott’s Branding Culture: The Ultimate Travel Experience for Families and Business Travelers
Marriott has long been synonymous with luxury, exceptional service, and unforgettable experiences. With a strong commitment to creating memorable stays, Marriott’s branding culture sets the bar for what it means to travel in style. For high-net-worth families and business travelers seeking a seamless blend of comfort, convenience, and luxury, Marriott offers a range of services that elevate the … [Read more...]
Hotels Will Start Selling So Much More Than Rooms
For years, hotels have treated their digital storefronts with all the imagination of a Soviet-era grocery. Guests faced dreary drop-down menus that reduced the art of hospitality to generic choices like “Economy Standard” and “1 Queen Bed Suite.” Sensing a missed opportunity, hotels are embarking on their most ambitious technological change in decades to transform the booking process. That … [Read more...]
Google’s Search Dominance Will Face New Threats
If you’d asked anyone a couple of years ago for the biggest threat facing Google’s travel business, the answer would surely have been regulation. Regulators in Europe and antitrust cases in the U.S. were putting pressure on the world’s dominant search engine. Today Google faces a second, and possibly greater risk: competition. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently debuted SearchGPT, a … [Read more...]
Influencers Are the New Power Brokers in Travel
The travel industry has maintained an uneasy alliance with social media influencers for over a decade. Yet these self-styled experts are set to become even more important in a brave new world of social commerce. They aren’t just serving FOMO — they’re providing a direct line to book the exact same experience they’re showing off on their Instagram feeds. The game-changer is that social … [Read more...]
The Middle East’s Profound Cultural Shift
Heading into 2025, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Middle East are set to experience one of the most profound cultural shifts in history. The changes are clear throughout the region: The UAE is steaming ahead with its new gambling economy. Music and entertainment are becoming one of the hottest sectors in the Gulf. Despite chatter about delays, Saudi Arabia will continue to make … [Read more...]
Travel Leaders on Trump 2.0… in Three Words or Less
Donald Trump and the Republican Party are now in charge: The White House, control of both the House and the Senate, and a likely majority on the Supreme Court for generations to come.It’s a massive change in consolidation of power, and we at Skift felt compelled to explore a Megatrend on what it could mean for the travel industry. Our editorial team reached out to our extensive network of … [Read more...]
Cool Climates Will Be in Hot Demand
Soon, travelers everywhere will start planning their 2025 holidays. How about… Greenland? The Faroe Islands? Or maybe Tromsø, Norway, where the summer sun barely dips below the horizon – and hygge-filled winter nights last practically all day. In a world that feels like it’s perpetually on fire – both figuratively and literally – these cooler climates are gaining year-round appeal. This … [Read more...]
First-Class Flying Emerges from the Deep Freeze
Travelers love business class and for good reason: A dedicated check-in lane, fast-track airport security, and vintage champagne in the lounge. The problem? Business class has gone mainstream. Fly business class on British Airways’ Boeing 777-300 from London Heathrow to New York JFK and you’ll be sitting in one of 76 Club Suites. The cavernous cabin covers around half of the onboard real … [Read more...]
Governments Will Become a Bigger Part of Your Travel Plans
The backlash against overtourism got intense in 2024: In Barcelona, residents sprayed water guns at tourists; in Mallorca, protestors marched and chanted “tourists go home.” Governments worldwide are responding with stricter rules on travel and tourism — and you can expect more to come. There will be short-term rental bans. New fees at popular destinations. And reservation … [Read more...]
Travel Industry, Meet Your New VIP Clients: Pets!
The travel industry is officially going to the dogs — and the cats, and perhaps even the odd hedgehog. As customer demographics shift, so do traveler expectations — and pets are no longer being left at home. From Gen Z to empty-nesters, travelers are bringing their furry, feathered, and scaled companions along for the trip, reshaping the way the travel sector thinks about hospitality. And this … [Read more...]
Q&A: Airlines Double Down on Sustainability and Tech
The next decade will be a defining moment for the airline industry as technology and sustainability initiatives reshape the future of flight. The industry is increasingly adopting digitalization, with 90 percent of aviation industry leaders prioritizing technology to improve the customer experience. Sustainability is also an increasingly key focus as travelers become more environmentally … [Read more...]