Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, recently mentioned in an interview with CNBC the possibility of reevaluating the country’s controversial $100 daily tourism fees. This comes in response to the slower recovery of Bhutan’s tourism industry compared to other countries in Asia. Tobgay hinted that while the current fee may be a limited-time incentive until August
Travel
As Americans gear up for summer travel in 2024, they are experiencing a mix of highs and lows when it comes to airfare prices. While overall, there has been a decrease in airline fares compared to the previous year, certain regions and destinations are seeing an increase in prices, particularly for trips abroad. According to
Summer is a time of freedom and sunshine, but for many Americans, it also comes with a heavy financial burden. According to NerdWallet’s 2024 summer travel report, 45% of Americans are planning to take a summer trip that involves a flight or hotel stay. The average expected spending is a whopping $3,594. What’s concerning is
Frontier Airlines recently announced a significant change to its pricing model by eliminating the fees associated with changing flights. This decision comes as the Biden administration enforces stricter regulations on airlines regarding “junk fees,” aligning Frontier with larger competitors in the industry. The overhaul of the pricing model, which was unveiled on Friday, is aimed
United Airlines recently announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has given its approval to add new aircraft and routes. This positive development comes after months of increased scrutiny from the regulator due to multiple safety incidents. The FAA had placed restrictions on United Airlines earlier this year, preventing the carrier from introducing new routes and
China has recently announced that travelers entering the country via international cruises can now stay in select provinces for up to 15 days without a visa. This move by the Chinese government comes as part of its efforts to boost the cruise and tourism industry in the country. Foreign visitors will be required to enter
EasyJet, the well-known low-cost airline, experienced a significant drop in its shares by over 7% following the release of its first-half financial results for the fiscal year. The company reported pre-tax losses of £350 million, surpassing analyst expectations of £340 million. Despite a slight improvement from the previous year’s pre-tax loss of £411 million, the
The recent call for Indian travelers to boycott the Maldives has inadvertently led to a boost in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. The Maldives, which saw a significant drop in Indian visitors this year due to a social media row, has now slipped to 6th place in terms of tourist arrivals. In contrast, Sri Lanka has
Corporate travel planning is often a complex and fragmented process. Companies have to deal with booking flights, car rentals, and hotels through various platforms, along with managing payments through company cards or employee reimbursements. This traditional approach to travel management can result in inefficiencies, lack of visibility, and challenges in controlling expenses. However, Navan, formerly
Recently, the cost of obtaining a short-term visa to visit Sri Lanka saw a significant increase from $50 to $100. This sudden price hike has been surrounded by controversy, with conflicting explanations being provided for the change. Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister, Harin Fernando, attributed the spike in visa fees to a “technical issue,” stating that
Recently, major airlines and an industry trade association have come together to challenge a new Department of Transportation (DOT) rule regarding the disclosure of add-on fees during flight booking. This rule, introduced by the Biden administration in September 2022, requires airlines and online travel agencies to disclose fees for seat selection, checked baggage, and other
In a remarkable feat, Dubai-based carrier Emirates airline has announced a record annual profit of 17.2 billion dirhams ($4.7 billion) for the 2023-2024 financial year. This figure represents a significant 63% increase from the previous year, showcasing the airline’s impressive growth and financial performance. The success can be attributed to the recovering travel sector and
The travel industry has seen a significant shift towards luxury all-inclusive resorts in recent years, especially after the pandemic. According to a report by JLL Research Hotels & Hospitality, there has been a surge in demand for stress-free and easy-to-plan vacations with a wellness component. This sudden increase in travelers seeking all-inclusive experiences has led
Emirates, one of Boeing’s largest customers, has expressed frustration with the safety crisis facing the American planemaker and the subsequent delays in order deliveries. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Dubai’s flagship Emirates airline, voiced his concerns at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. With 245 passenger planes and five 778
Dealing with angry customers in the hotel industry is undoubtedly challenging, especially when it comes to crafting the right responses that convey genuine concern and empathy. However, the emergence of generative AI has provided a game-changing solution for professionals like Natasha, the director of a prestigious five-star resort. By leveraging ChatGPT, Natasha can now streamline
Viking Cruises sets itself apart from traditional cruise operators by catering to a specific niche market – high-income baby boomers. This luxury cruise line is focused on providing a more upscale and refined experience, with no children on board and a distinct lack of amenities like casinos. The company’s CEO, Torstein Hagen, emphasizes their target
Dubai’s leadership has recently approved a massive 128 billion dirham ($35 billion) plan to build a new passenger terminal at the emirate’s Al Maktoum International Airport. This expansion project will make the airport five times bigger than Dubai’s main international airport, and ultimately the largest airport in the world. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
As the world slowly emerges from the grip of the pandemic, some yacht owners are turning their sights back to dry land. The surge in yacht sales that was witnessed during the height of the pandemic is now showing signs of tapering off, with more boats hitting the brokerage market for sale. Richard Allen, the