Travel Agencies Set January Record for Air Ticket Sales

JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced the companies have agreed to terminate their July 2022 merger agreement.

Amtrak has expanded its Northeast Regional service to offer more travel choices along the U.S. East Coast. This enhancement includes the introduction of four extra weekday roundtrips and two new weekend roundtrips between New York Penn Station (NYP) and Washington Union Station (WAS), along with a fresh weekday morning departure from Philadelphia’s William H. Gray III 30th Street Station (PHL) to NYP. In addition, one new weekend departure now also connects PHL to Boston South Station (BOS). 

Alaska Airlines announced a new partnership with Expedia designed to create a one-stop portal to book dream adventures, dubbed Alaska Vacations.

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship Disney Treasure now has a signature song: “Live the Adventure,” performed by Jordin Sparks.

Airlines are trialling new techniques to shave minutes off turnaround procedures as a way to cut costs.

Walt Disney World is making it even more appealing to book a vacation at the Orlando park in 2025.The entertainment giant just announced that Disney Resort hotel guests visiting next year can enjoy free admission to one of its popular water parks – Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach – on check-in day as part of a stay.The free day at the water parks, which feature lazy rivers, wave pools, and interactive play areas, will only be made available to guests staying at properties within the Disney Resorts Collection.“With this water park benefit, it’s easy to unwind on the day you arrive. Get ready to zip down thrilling water slides, relax on sandy beaches, float along a lazy river... and let your cares drift away,” states the Disney website announcement.Additional details about the new water park benefit will be made available by Disney later this year. Details will also be provided to guests who have booked a stay at a Disney Collection property in advance of arrival at the park.But Disney has confirmed that the water park benefit is exclusive to registered guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with check-in dates between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025.  Additionally, all guests must be on the room reservation.And to be clear, the water park benefit is only available on the day of check-in at a resort property.Walt Disney World resort stays and theme park tickets for 2025 are available for purchase starting tomorrow (February 27, 2024).

Online travel agency Booking Holdings revealed lower expectations for the first quarter and full year of 2024 as travel demand in the United States begins to normalize following a post-pandemic surge.

Southwest Airlines and Omni Hotels & Resorts are teaming up to offer a special "Solarbration" sweepstakes ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.The sweepstakes—which can be entered now through March 11—will reward two lucky winners with a prize package that includes air travel on a flight predicted to be in the direct path of the eclipse.The flight options include Southwest Flight 1252, which departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:40 p.m. CT for Pittsburgh, and Southwest Flight 1721, which departs Austin at 12:55 p.m. CT for Indianapolis.Omni will do its part by putting the winners up in custom-designed guest rooms inspired by the celestial event. The special accommodations will be located at Omni Hotels in the departure cities of Dallas and Austin and the arrival cities of Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.In addition to roundtrip flights and accommodations for two nights, winners will receive exclusive solar eclipse viewing glasses and fun inflight experiences aboard their eclipse flights.

Spirit Airlines has announced plans to suspend operations at New Hampshire's Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) on May 8, according to Boston.com.The budget carrier said the decision is due to "ongoing operational constraints related to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine availability and seasonal demand for our MHT flights.""This decision reflects our continuing efforts to make necessary strategic shifts to enable Spirit to compete effectively in the current environment," Spirit added. "We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience, and those with reservations for May 8 or later will be offered a refund. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is a great partner, and we look forward to returning with seasonal service next winter."Spirit operates nonstop flights to Orlando and seasonal service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from MHT. According to Reuters, the airline is the largest domestic operator of GTF-powered (geared turbofan) NEO aircraft and has been battling engine issues since last summer."MHT is grateful to Spirit Airlines for their service to the Manchester community for the last few years," the airport said in a statement. "We understand that difficult decisions have to be made in light of the Pratt and Whitney engine issue. It is important to note that this is a pause in service, not a withdrawal in service. MHT stands ready to warmly welcome Spirit back to the Manchester market when the time is right for them."

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is calling on travel agencies and advisors to contact their respective members of Congress to make their case as to why they shouldn't be on the hook for issuing airline refunds to clients."For the first time since 2018, Congress is reevaluating federal aviation policy through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization process. This is our opportunity to influence sound policy that recognizes the value of the travel advisor in the greater travel industry," the organization states.  "Travel agencies sell 40 percent of all air tickets, and travel agencies are considered ticket agents under both federal statute and government regulations."ASTA points out that the House version of the FAA Reauthorization bill contains clear language that travel agencies are not responsible for providing airline refunds if they are no longer in possession of the client’s funds. However, the provision was left out of the bill passed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation earlier this month.ASTA is hoping to change that and is encouraging advisors to email their members of Congress—one House Representative and two Senators—through its grassroots portal.

Amtrak announced a new flash sale to help travelers looking to book a rail trip save money on their adventure this spring.

Unlike many in the hospitality and tourism space, who spend their career working solely in one particular facet of the business, I have been fortunate and have been able to change verticals several times. At ICON Park, it was attractions and restaurants; at Universal Parks, it was resort hotels and theme parks; as a board member at the Grand Canyon Resort, I helped promote an area of extreme natural wonder.