RSSC Launches Industry-First Co-Branded Marketing Solution for Travel Advisors

Travel is increasing as more people have taken a trip this past year. Additionally, several airlines have announced more flights that are being added to their itineraries, including many to overseas destinations. United Airlines is one of the major airlines adding to its lineup by ordering more aircraft.

Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast! 

The Global Travel Collection “Elevate” conference opened at Virgin Hotels New York City with emotional appeals from representatives from three destinations that have seen crises in the past few months—Hawaii, Morocco and Israel.

The European Union (E.U.) has just officially announced another postponement to the planned launch of its new pre-arrival authorization system, which it had previously planned to launch in 2024.

TTC Tour Brands is launching a new familiarization trip with its guided vacation company, Trafalgar, for BIPOC travel advisors, departing March 11, 2024 for destinations across Europe. 

Since ChatGPT was released last November, several other well-funded companies have released their own versions in an effort to compete. 

One of the biggest trends for fall is the return of the ballet flat, shepherded in by celebrities including Meghan Markle, Hailey Bieber, and Sofia Richie. Ballet flats first surged in popularity in the ‘40s and ‘50s, worn by style icons like Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy. Inspired by shoes worn by dancers, they convey a certain je-ne-sais-quoi French elegance that can transform a white T-shirt and a pair of jeans into a thoughtful and refined outfit.

Prime Day is an excellent time of year for travelers to save on luggage, electronics, clothing, and sneakers, too. We've rounded up the best Prime Day sneaker deals from brands you know and love—New Balance, Adidas, Asics, Reebok, and more—all available to score during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. If you're in need of a fresh pair of kicks for walking, running, or everyday wear, we've got you covered. There are steep discounts on plenty of comfortable, versatile, and lightweight options for travelers, whether you're looking for a stylish pair of dad sneakers or a supportive performance pair for your next destination run.

Travelers already looking to 2024 for their next trip now have the opportunity to score major savings.

If you’re planning a camping trip to the great outdoors, now is the perfect time to check out the top Amazon Prime Day camping deals. Travelers can save on all the outdoor gear you'll need for your next adventure. In case you need a quick refresher, Amazon Prime Day is a 48-hour sales event where Prime members can save on products across all categories, including luggage, shoes, outdoor gear, home goods, and more. Amazon is calling its October savings event Prime Big Deal Days, and the sale runs through today, October 11.

No doubt about it: New distribution capability (NDC) benefits airlines — for example, by enabling them to display, market and sell the same content regardless of shopping channel, as well as to introduce continuous pricing. However, it also offers multiple advantages for travel advisors — advantages that can be maximized by taking steps to make the transition to NDC easier. “While moving to NDC will require travel advisors to invest in training and, among other things, devote time to adjusting to the (platform and program), the tradeoff will be huge,” states Michael Share, co-founder and co-CEO of Boston-based Blockskye. Share, whose company operates a travel agency for PwC and has partnered with that client and United to explore the application of blockchain in airline offer management, defines this tradeoff as “better technology, better content and better access to what travelers want.”

Effective pilot recruitment and training are crucial for the success of the airline industry. But just how important is the topic for travel advisors — especially today, when there’s a shortage of pilots?