Innovations tips

Passing of Scott Ahlsmith, CTC, a board of trustees and executive committee member for The Travel Institute, travel industry thought leader, and travel advisor advocate.

The principals of the innovative London and New York-based travel company Black Tomato made their name by assembling detail-oriented and sometimes very out of the way travel plans for exceedingly curious, adventurous clients. Having surveyed the market to ascertain what their clients are interested in now and the changes they see in the travel landscape, they’ve come up with the ways they see that travel happening in the next year and in what parts of the world those ambitious travelers could be.

Travelers now have new options to save them time and headaches when traveling to Europe, thanks to an innovative new Air Canada program.  

Two major New York-area airports are set to be the second and third with Starbucks locations exclusively designed for mobile orders and pickups.

A year ago, we made our best guesses at what would happen with credit card rewards in 2023.

With 2024 just around the corner, many of are thinking of ways we can make the upcoming year happier, more healthful, and well, just better than the last. An easy way to accomplish just that is by incorporating new products into your skincare and self-care regimen. With that in mind, ahead are 15 recently-launched, TSA-friendly launches that will elevate your daily routine well into the new year and while you’re away from home.

Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast! 

The Airbus A380 may be the largest commercial jet, but something far larger took to the skies in recent months.

Hop a plane across several time zones, and you may end up with what scientists call circadian dysrhythmia (aka jet lag). It’s a temporary sleep disorder where your body’s internal clock isn’t in sync with the time cues in your destination—daylight, dark of night, mealtimes.

The Transportation Security Administration expects busy airport checkpoints this winter holiday season and is warning travelers to come prepared.

The 1860s were stellar years for the telegraph and the slaughterhouse. In 1865, Morse code became the global standard for international communication. In 1867, Chicago’s meatpacking industry installed the first system to subdivide labor by moving carcasses from one worker to another on a steam-driven pulley, a methodology that would later inspire Henry Ford’s mass-production of the Model-T.

Self-service tech is evolving from fast-food restaurants and grocery checkouts: Starting in the New Year, select travelers will be able to screen themselves at airport security checkpoints. TSA is scheduled to launch a trial run of new “self-service” screening technology at the Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport in January, allowing fliers enrolled in TSA PreCheck to conduct their own body scans.

What’s trending on land eventually makes it to the skies.

Make life as easy as possible with devices and gear designed to simplify your travels - whether that means charging on the go, neat organisers or lightweight storage for no-fuss quick trips.  

TSA PreCheck, an expedited security program for trusted travelers, has long been an attractive option for fliers who want to get to their gate faster and easier. However, starting next year, having the program’s logo on your boarding pass could net you an additional perk: the ability to breeze through entirely self-service TSA security lines.

In the heart of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is undergoing a transformation unlike any before. The city is redefining its contours and colors under the aegis of Riyadh Art, a national public art initiative that is turning the capital into a canvas for creative expression. This initiative is part of a broader cultural movement, one that seeks to weave art into the very fabric of Riyadh's urban landscape, making it synonymous with an immersive artistic experience. At the forefront of this cultural renaissance is Noor Riyadh, the world's largest light art festival, which returned for its third edition, transforming Saudi Arabia's capital into a luminous playground for artists and art enthusiasts alike. The festival, which once again cast its glow on November 30, 2023, and will continue to shine until December 16, distinguishes itself by inviting artists from all corners of the globe to participate in the city's metamorphosis into a realm of light and art. It's a celebration that extends beyond mere visual spectacle, transforming Ryadh into an open-air gallery that marries the beauty of the desert with the boundless possibilities of light and art.

Air travel contributes to 2.5 percent of our global carbon emissions, often getting named as one of the biggest contributors to climate change. So it’s no surprise that airlines are all upping their sustainability efforts, especially in the race to find jet fuel alternatives in the form of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

When JetBlue introduced Mint in 2014, it wasn't long until the carrier started racking up the awards.

Marriott International has announced a partnership with The Neu Project, an initiative from Google’s Experience Institute (Xi), in an effort to create a more neuroinclusive experience for event attendees.  

“Our goal is not to replace our workers, but rather empower them to make them more productive so they can automate certain tasks and focus on providing more value to our customers,” explains Adrian Lopez, who recently stepped into a newly created role as Head of AI for Corporate at Flight Centre Travel Group(FCTG).

As we prepare to return to Dubai for Skift Global Forum East on December 12-14, we’re revisiting a few of the most popular sessions from last year’s event.