U.S. State Department Cautions Americans About Travel Worldwide Amid Unrest

Demand and confidence in travel continue to reach pre-pandemic levels, and the industry took another significant step forward on Thursday night with the 2023 edition of the Travvy Awards.

Daylight savings time has ended, marking the inescapable approach of the winter months. Some look forward to snowy days and a chill in the air, while others start searching for a way to wait them out in sunnier climes. 

Certares Founder and Senior Managing Director Greg O’Hara will be the next chair of the World Travel & Tourism Council. He starts later this month, the organization announced on Friday.

It'll be even easier to escape to paradise this holiday season thanks to a returning flight route from the U.S. to the Bahamas.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Anna Shepherd, a 24-year-old from Knoxville, Tennessee. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Airbus is racing to meet strong global demand — with the aim of delivering 720 planes this year. But in the long run, it will have to fight for share because of a growing rivalry with China’s manufacturers.

MMGY Global has been acquired by EagleTree Capital, a private equity firm. The travel and tourism agency’s previous owner was Peninsula Capital Partners LLC. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Internova Travel Group, a network of travel agencies owned by private equity firm Certares, plans to expand its investments in the luxury space. That will help give its more than 100,000 travel advisors more boutique hotel offerings and packages to offer customers. 

Astrotourism, a form of nature-based tourism specifically concerned with the viewing of celestial objects, space and the physical universe, presents a wonderful alternative to traditional vacations. Its popularity among star-seeking travelers has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last decade, and it has become a burgeoning trend among travelers seeking the beauty of the night sky. A stargazing etiquette guide for first timers is available from the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative.

Royal Caribbean executives are seeing signs of strong demand for cruise experiences in China as they prepare for their return in April 2024.

India was the U.S.’ s second top market for travelers outside of North America between April and June, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office’s data released Monday. Over 500,000 Indian travelers came to the America in the those three months, up from 392,000 and 498,000 for the same period in 2022 and pre-pandemic 2019, respectively.

The U.S. State Department has issued updated information for Americans traveling in the Middle East amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, including information on charter flights out of Tel Aviv this week. The latest guidance comes just four days after officials issued a worldwide caution for U.S. citizens traveling abroad."Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution," the U.S. State Department said on October 19.Americans are encouraged to avoid travel to Gaza, Lebanon and Iraq and reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank as of Monday. U.S. citizens who wish to depart Israel and the West Bank with U.S. government assistance need to complete a crisis intake form.Additionally, Monday's update includes details regarding upcoming charter flights out of Israel via Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport."Commercial availability remains limited out of Ben Gurion Airport. The U.S. government is facilitating charter flight transportation for U.S. citizens; we urge those wishing to leave to take advantage of these charters while they are available. There will be flight departures from Ben Gurion International Airport on Tuesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 26," the State Department confirmed."Please go to Ben Gurion International Airport, Terminal 3 if you wish to depart Israel. U.S. Embassy personnel will be present to direct you and provide specific flight information. Be prepared to wait," officials added.Regardless of where they're traveling abroad, U.S. citizens are being asked to stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts that make it easier to be located in an emergency and follow the State Department on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information.