Weekly Travel News

Travel Today Logo

Happy Travel Tuesday, here are some the top trends in travel right now:

Over 17.4 million passengers flew through a TSA checkpoint in the last week, which is a 6.6% increase from the previous year.

Next week, we share our Top 10 Hotels from around the world. Encourage a colleague to subscribe, so they don’t miss the big reveal!

Have a great week!

The Travel Top 10

KLM A330 departing Vancouver

KLM, our Airline of the Week!

  1. Hotel of the Week 🏨: The Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland

  2. Destination of the Week 🌍: Las Vegas, NV

  3. Restaurant of the Week 🍴: Little West Tavern at the newly opened The Junto in Columbus, OH which features a wood-hearth neighborhood tavern serving up wood-fired fare and classic pours

  4. Experience of the Week: Checking out Pittsburgh, PA (The city is an urban oasis in the middle of the Appalachian with all of the big-city amenities that travelers love paired with just as much nature to be explored)

  5. Tour of the Week 🚶‍♀️: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour 

  6. Activity of the Week 🏄‍♂️: Surfing in Bali

  7. Airline of the Week ✈️: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

  8. Cruise of the Week 🚢: Celebrity Cruises

  9. Spa of the Week 💆‍♀️: Aarna Spa in Huntington Beach, CA

  10. Resort of the Week 🏡: Foxwoods Resort Casino

AIRLINE NEWS

New Routes to Mexico from Miami

Aeromexico Launches New Cancun-Miami Route: Starting December 19, 2024, Aeromexico will introduce a nonstop daily flight between Cancun International Airport and Miami International Airport. This addition, in partnership with Delta Air Lines, expands Aeromexico's presence in Florida, now offering 10 daily flights to Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay. The new route will be serviced by Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft, featuring 166 seats and state-of-the-art amenities. This expansion strengthens Aeromexico and Delta's joint offerings, now covering over 65 routes between Mexico and the U.S.

TRAVEL TRENDS

New Trends for Fall Travel

Highway 212 forest road

Expedia’s Fall Travel Outlook: Deals, Destinations, and Taylor Swift: As summer fades, fall travel deals are on the rise, according to Expedia’s latest Fall Travel Outlook. Top domestic destinations include Las Vegas, New York, and Orlando, while Cancun, Paris, and Tokyo lead the international list. Indianapolis has seen a 120% surge in flight searches, driven by Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” return in October. For budget travelers, the week of September 3 offers the cheapest domestic flights, while October 20 is best for international deals. Leaf-peeping in Yamaguchi, Japan, and New York's Hudson Valley is also trending this season.

Tripadvisor Revamps AI-Powered Travel Planner, Trips: Tripadvisor has reintroduced Trips, an AI-powered travel planner enhanced with human insights from over a billion reviews. The new features include themed itineraries and personalized recommendations, making it easier than ever to curate and book the perfect trip. Trips leverages accurate, up-to-date information and allows users to book experiences directly through the platform. It's a blend of popular attractions and hidden gems tailored to individual tastes.

TRAVEL NEWS

New Flights for College Football Season

Notre Dame Stadium

United Airlines Adds Flights for College Football Fans: United is catering to college football fans this fall by adding 20 nonstop flights and upgrading planes on 115 routes to 30 major games. Key matchups include Texas vs. Michigan on September 7, Ohio State at Oregon on October 12, and Alabama vs. LSU on November 9. Tickets are available now on the United app or at United.com. This special schedule ensures fans can easily travel to cheer on their teams this season.

STAYING IN STYLE

Hotels Debut Innovative Programs For Fall

Paws & Pints at Aloft: To celebrate International Dog Day, Aloft Hotels is offering a week-long promotion from August 26 to September 1 at select U.S. locations. Dog owners who purchase a drink at the W xyz® bar will receive a free dog-friendly "brew" served in a signature Arf® dog bowl. Participating hotels include those in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York City, and more. It’s the perfect way for guests to toast to their four-legged friends.

End Summer in Paradise with Atlantis: Atlantis Paradise Island is wrapping up summer with a bang through its Last Days of Summer Labor Day Sale, offering 25% off stays of two nights or more, plus up to $400 in resort credits. Guests can enjoy the exclusive Barbie Bahamas Beach Vacation, a new FIELDTRIP restaurant by Chef JJ Johnson, and luxury shopping with Cartier and Christian Louboutin boutiques. The sale runs from August 29 to September 5, with travel valid through November 2024 and early 2025. Book at AtlantisBahamas.com.

Ludacris and Booking.com Team Up for a VIP Atlanta Getaway: Booking.com and Ludacris have launched a unique end-of-summer travel experience, offering one lucky booker and three guests the chance to stay at Ludacris’ 22-acre Atlanta mansion for just $4.04. The two-night stay, available for booking on August 28, includes a meet-and-greet with the rapper, luxury rides, exclusive dinners, and family-friendly activities like paddleboating and private movie screenings. This one-of-a-kind experience, designed for quality family bonding, takes place September 3-5, 2024.

Austin Food & Wine Festival Returns Nov. 1-3, 2024: The 13th annual Austin Food & Wine Festival is back at Auditorium Shores from November 1-3, 2024. Featuring top chefs like Antonia Lofaso, Kevin Gillespie, and Claudette Zepeda, this year's festival promises three days of culinary excellence, wine, and spirits. Highlights include the Made In Texas VIP event, the Fire Pit, Hands-On Grilling with Tim Love, and cooking demos from renowned chefs. Tickets are on sale now, with Saturday passes selling fast. Secure your spot at austinfoodandwinefestival.com

Stay Longer in Sonoma: The Lodge at Sonoma, nestled in Northern California’s wine country, is offering a "Make Summer Last" deal with 15% off stays through March 31, 2025, if booked by September 2. This Autograph Collection hotel, located near Sonoma Plaza, features 182 guest rooms, suites, and cottages with outdoor seating and fireplaces. Guests can indulge in dining at Chef Michael Mina’s Wit & Wisdom, relax at the on-site spa, and explore nearby wineries during peak harvest season. Don’t miss out on this exclusive end-of-summer offer.

Upcoming Travel Calendar

October 28 - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex announced today that registration is now open for this year’s The Hospitality Show (The Show), which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, from October 28-30. Attendees can register here. (While in San Antonio, check out one of our favorite hotels - the Hotel Emma!)

Bon Voyage! See you next Travel Tuesday!

Stay in touch during the week

www.instagram.com/traveltoday

www.twitter.com/traveltodaytv

Have a news tip? Send to: [email protected]