Travel

Jun
23
2021
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By Troy Warren
Business travel faces long road to recovery from pandemic

Business travel faces long road to recovery from pandemic

Business, Travel, , , ,
By Kelly Yamanouchi, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT Atlanta’s economic fortunes linked to corporate trips, conventions American leisure air travel is bouncing back quickly after plunging last year. But it could take months or years for business travel to return to normal — if ever — even as more companies prepare to bring workers back to offices. That spells uncertainty for metro Atlanta’s economy, which hosted hundreds of trade shows and conventions before the pandemic. Eighteen Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Georgia, also drawing a steady stream of visitors with expense accounts through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport until last year.…
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Jun
22
2021
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By Troy Warren
Fourth of July expected to bring near record travel volumes

Fourth of July expected to bring near record travel volumes

Travel, ,
By Kelly Yamanouchi, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT Nearly 1.5 million Georgians are expected to give in to wanderlust over the Independence Day holiday, which would make it the second most traveled July 4th on record and comes just months after the number of COVID-19 cases in the state hit a peak with thousands crammed into the state’s hospitals. This year’s AAA projection marks a rebound of 33% from traffic last year when the coronavirus kept many of the state’s residents at home, though not as many as elsewhere in America. It’s a mere 1.5% shy of the record number of Georgians…
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Jun
22
2021
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By Troy Warren
New Details Announced for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

New Details Announced for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrations, Travel, , , ,
PATRICK CLARKE | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   Walt Disney World Resort has revealed additional details ahead of its 50th anniversary later this year. "The World's Most Magical Celebration" will begin October 1, 2021, kicking off an 18-month event highlighted by new entertainment and new looks for Disney's iconic characters and attractions. A new nighttime spectacular, "Disney Enchantment," will debut at Magic Kingdom on October 1, wowing guests with music, enhanced lighting, fireworks and immersive projection effects that will extend from Cinderella Castle all the way down Main Street, U.S.A.   Meanwhile, "Harmonious" will launch at EPCOT on October 1. Taking…
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Jun
22
2021
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By Troy Warren
Delta to hire 1,000 pilots as pandemic recovery continues

Delta to hire 1,000 pilots as pandemic recovery continues

Business, Travel, ,
By Kelly Yamanouchi, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT Delta Air Lines plans to hire 1,000 pilots by next summer as it continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Atlanta-based Delta cut more than 1,800 pilots from its payroll through early retirement packages and put about 1,700 junior pilots on inactive status. The cutbacks contributed to staffing issues that led Delta to cancel hundreds of flights around Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. The airline had more staffing challenges over Easter this year. Delta now has about 12,000 pilots. Operations chief John Laughter told pilots in a memo that the plan for hiring is a “positive…
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Jun
21
2021
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By Troy Warren
US Updates Travel Advisory Levels for Destinations in Mexico

US Updates Travel Advisory Levels for Destinations in Mexico

In The News, Travel, , , ,
RICH THOMASELLI | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   The U.S. State Department on Friday raised the travel warnings to two states in Mexico while downgrading four other Mexican destinations. The U.S. raised its warnings from Level 2 (“Exercise Increased caution” to Level 3 (“Reconsider travel”) for Baja California and Guanajuato. Baja California, in particular, is a heavy tourist destination that includes Tijuana, Mexicali and Ensenada. The updated travel advisory cited crime and kidnapping as dangers in Baja California, according to the Mexico Daily News. “Violent crime and gang activity are common. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides…
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Jun
19
2021
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By Troy Warren
Florida Granted Preliminary Injunction Against CDC Cruise Restrictions

Florida Granted Preliminary Injunction Against CDC Cruise Restrictions

Travel, ,
RICH THOMASELLI | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   A federal judge on Friday sided with the state of Florida’s lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), saying that the government agency likely exceeded its authority by issuing a Conditional Sailing Order (CSO)preventing cruise lines from sailing from Florida ports. Judge Steven Merryday issued the state a preliminary injunction against the restrictions and guidelines of the CSO, which include such mandates as taking test cruises and implementing vaccine requirements for passengers. "This order finds that Florida is highly likely to prevail on the merits of the claim that…
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Jun
18
2021
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By Troy Warren
Thailand Plans Mid-October Tourism Reopening

Thailand Plans Mid-October Tourism Reopening

Travel
JANEEN CHRISTOFF | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   Thailand is planning to reopen its borders to tourists in mid-October for those who are fully vaccinated, according to an announcement from the prime minister. “I know this decision comes with some risk because, when we open the country, there will be an increase in infections, no matter how good our precautions,” said Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of Thailand. “But I think when we take into consideration the economic needs of the people, the time has come for us to take that calculated risk.” The mid-October opening is earlier than previously announced. Thailandwas…
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Jun
17
2021
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By Troy Warren
CDC Lowers Cruise Travel Warning Level

CDC Lowers Cruise Travel Warning Level

Travel
DONALD WOOD | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lowered its travel warning for unvaccinated cruise ship passengers from Level 4 to Level 3. The CDC’s move from “Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19” to “Level 3: High level of COVID-19” recommends travelers who have received a full coronavirus vaccination should avoid river and ocean cruises. Health officials also said due to the ease of transmission in small areas, travelers with an increased risk of severe illness should not travel on cruise ships, including river cruises. The CDC update states that unvaccinated passengers who decide…
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Jun
17
2021
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By Troy Warren
Southwest still struggling with flight delays, cancellations

Southwest still struggling with flight delays, cancellations

Travel
By The Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT DALLAS — Passengers on Southwest Airlines had to deal with canceled flights and delays for a third day on Wednesday, as the airline tried to recover from technology problems that started earlier this week. By late afternoon Central time, Southwest had canceled nearly 400 flights and more than 1,000 were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. Combined, the disruptions affected 40% of the airline's schedule. Passengers took to Twitter to complain about long delays — and also report that Southwest’s online sweepstakes promotion didn’t seem to be working, either. A Southwest spokesman said…
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Jun
16
2021
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By Troy Warren
Face masks optional for Disney World’s vaccinated guests starting Tuesday

Face masks optional for Disney World’s vaccinated guests starting Tuesday

COVID-19, Travel
By The Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT Walt Disney World in Florida is making it easier to see smiles again, but guests still can’t hug the characters. Starting Tuesday, face masks will be optional for visitors to the theme park resort who are vaccinated, though Disney workers won’t require proof of vaccination, the company said on its website.   Visitors who aren’t fully vaccinated still will need to wear face masks indoors and on all rides and attractions. All visitors, whether vaccinated or not, will still be required to wear face coverings on buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner, the resort’s aerial gondola,…
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