DECEMBER 2024 - TOURISM NEWS & NOTES | |
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken additional action in its efforts to hold airlines accountable and protect passengers when unexpected flight disruptions impact their travel. DOT launched the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on Thursday, seeking public comment on a rule requiring airlines to pay passengers cash compensation, rebook them for free on the next available flight and cover meals, overnight lodging and related transportation expenses when a disruption is deemed to be airline-caused.
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There are many reasons why your flight might be canceled or delayed, including operational and technological issues at airports and airlines (remember the recent CrowdStrike meltdown?) and a growing number of unpredictable severe weather events. Thankfully, the number of flight cancellations has been on the decline since 2020. Flight delays, however, are on the rise, with nearly one-quarter (22.74 percent) of all domestic flights having been delayed thus far in 2024, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics...
Here are some simple actions that travelers can take...
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Research finds two-thirds of LGBTQ+ travelers are open to using AI to plan and book their trips and travel experiences. Rose Dykins reports. According to a recent survey from Matador Network, nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ travelers (62.1%) said they may use artificial intelligence to plan and book travel. The survey highlights an increased reliance on AI within the LGBTQ+ community to enhance travel experiences.
It also found that LGBTQ+ travelers are nearly 16% more likely to have already used AI for travel and are 25% more likely to have planned to use AI for summer travel.
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Travel website The Points Guy has analyzed the evolution of why and where Americans travel, honing in on six top trends it expects to take a front seat in 2025.
Whether it's a renewed focus on value for future flights or how climate change and overtourism concerns could affect travel, The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly and his team of experts combed through key indicators across the industry to offer a glimpse at what's on their radar for the year ahead.
Below, read more about what travelers can expect in 2025.
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Coffee. It’s the drink that meeting attendees love—and meeting planners love to hate. While a few cups o’ joe may energize your meeting-goers, they can also add up fast and cost planners big time by an event’s end, effectively busting an otherwise carefully crafted budget. This has long been a planner gripe, but unfortunately, it’s getting worse. Coffee isn’t immune to the skyrocketing F&B costs the industry has experienced in 2024. A recent report from Bloomberg found coffee prices recently surged to their highest since 1997 thanks to supply fears.
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When stakeholders invest the time and budget to bring people together face-to-face, they want to know they achieved their goals. It's not enough simply to host an event; organizations need to be able to measure its impact. But measuring the impact of a networking event takes some extra effort.
On a recent MeetingsNet webinar that examined the why and how of networking events, Cvent’s Carisa Bartelt, manager, industry marketing, spent some time discussing this crucial measurement question.
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With dining emerging as a travel priority for nearly 50% of global travelers, hotels are leveling up their restaurants and bars into destination-worthy experiences. Gone are the days when hotel dining was merely a convenient afterthought. Today’s travelers see dining as central to their experience, seeking a broader selection of cuisines and extraordinary epicurean opportunities that look as good as they taste. Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report revealed that half of all global travelers book restaurant reservations before their flights, and nearly one in five will travel specifically to seek out new restaurants and culinary offerings.
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The majority of hospitality workers believe there is a stigma around mental health across the industry. But self-care and therapy isn’t enough to solve the issue when 51% of hospitality workers say their job is stress-inducing most or all of the time.
“In the restaurant industry there’s a big macho sort of persona that whatever restaurant you’re working in you have to adapt to that. You have to look happy because if you don’t, then that affects the people around you [...] so even when your life is in shambles, nobody can know that,” said Charles Ford, general manager at S.K.Y. Chicago, in the Wall Street Journal.
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An artist who grew up on the Route 1 corridor recently painted a massive new mural on a West Hyattsville parking garage.
Noted D.C. artist MISS CHELOVE painted the mural of a young woman surrounded by flowers at the Riverfront at West Hyattsville development. CHELOVE, whose legal name is Cita Sadeli, grew up in Hyattsville, where her love of public art was sparked by graffiti she saw when she would ride into the city with her mom. She previously painted murals at the Mount Rainier Public Library and at the Hyattsville Middle School, where she attended.
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Join us for our Sneaker Design workshop hosted by Soles of Imagination. We provide the sneaker. You Provide the creativity. Light food and refreshments provided. Participants can submit their sneakers into our Sneaker Design Competition at our upcoming Sneaker Wonderland Ball,
February 15, 2025.
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For families and patrons of all ages!
Celebrate the holidays at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts with our original production of Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and directed by Christopher Dwyer. Step back in time to Victorian London for one of the world’s most beloved stories, told with music, magic, humor, and heart in this acclaimed adaptation at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. Follow London’s most notorious miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, as he journeys through time with a host of spirits to re-discover his own humanity — and the spirit of the holidays.
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Welcome to **Beats and Eats Saturdays with Funky-Blues Vibes by Potecasi Slade** at miXt Food Hall near Brentwood, Hyattsville, and Mount Rainier, Maryland! Get ready to groove to the soulful tunes of Potecasi Slade every first Saturday of the month. Join us for a fun-filled evening of great music, friendly folks, delicious food from any of our four vendors (including vegan options), and delectable cocktails and mocktails from our bar. Not to mention our brand new $5 rail shots special from 6-10 PM.
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Odom was nominated for two Tony Awards last season as producer and star of the revival of Ossie Davis’ Purlie Victorious. For his performance as legendary soul singer Sam Cooke in Regina King’s One Night in Miami, Odom was nominated for an Academy Award. He is a Tony and Grammy Award-winner for his work in the Pulitzer Prize winning, Hamilton the musical. Please welcome, actor, singer, author, producer, Leslie Odom, Jr.
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Corey’s comedy genius transcends class and racial divides. Corey’s humor will tickle your funny bone. People all over the world can relate to the drama of trying to make a relationship work. According to Corey, a “hunter” (man) being captured by his “prey” (woman) makes for the best comedy ever. Don't miss The Joke King Tour: Starring Corey Holcomb!
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Join us for the largest, and most exciting New Year's Eve
Gala in the Washington Metro Region. This Spectacular Event Features:
SIX Hours of Partying
Full, Open Bars (Beer, Wine, Liquor) 9PM - 2Am
Awesome Band Lineup
Great DJ Lineup
Huge Midnight Celebration With Toast
Party Favors
Exquisite Gaylord Cuisine (for ticket options with food)
Discounted Hotel Rooms
Over 250,000 sq. ft of Party Areas
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The 2024 Maryland Governor’s Cup Wine Competition celebrated its 33rd year with an impressive record number of entries, with 181 submissions judged by an esteemed panel of 19 world-class sommeliers and wine experts at The Grand Baltimore on September 8, 2024. This year’s competition showcased the rising quality and diversity of Maryland’s wine industry, culminating in a Best in Show victory for Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards with their 2022 Bliss, a white wine reflective of the state’s unique terroir and exceptional craftsmanship.
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Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. collaborated with an Irish distillery to create a new whiskey that will soon be available in the U.S.
The Hyattsville brewery shipped several of its barrels used for aging an Imperial Irish red ale to Clonakilty Distillery in Ireland for use in making the whiskey, which adds complex new flavors to the whiskey. “A representative of Clonakilty came across the beer locally and loved the idea of the brewery and the people behind it,” Clonakilty co-founder Padraic Coll told the Hyattsville Wire.
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Looking for an chill, artsy, fun, and family-friendly activity in Prince George's County for your Saturday afternoon? Every first and third Saturday of the month, we invite small local artists, chefs, makers, and businesses to pop-up in our space at miXt Food Hall in Brentwood, Maryland. The Home Grown Pop-Up Market welcomes artisans and makers of all levels and walks of life to showcase their talents to the community. Come support small businesses and find that special piece to add to your collection. Don't miss out on this opportunity to shop local and connect with the creative community!
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The Maryland Sports Commission was honored November 13 by Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, with the 2024 Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year award. The award was presented by Matt Libber, Vice-Chair of the Sports ETA Board of Directors, at the association’s annual 4S Summit.
The prestigious award recognizes a Sports ETA destination member that demonstrates exceptional creativity and impact through a comprehensive marketing campaign.
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Get ready for an unforgettable season! The 2025 UMD Gymnastics team is bringing the heat, with unmatched talent, relentless dedication, and fierce determination. Every flip, every twist, every routine will have you on the edge of your seat. This team is hungry for victory, and they’re ready to make history! Don’t miss a moment of the action as they push limits, break records, and show the world what they're made of. It’s time to rally behind the Terps and watch them soar to new heights!
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1600 FedEx Way
Landover, MD 20785
Dates: December 14, 2024
Location: Northwest Stadium
Time: 2:00 PM
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Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21, 2024
DOORS WILL OPEN ONE HOUR BEFORE TIP-OFF. Join us for an exciting event that brings together talented high school student athletes from schools across the DMV. Family, friends, and prospective college coaches will watch highly competitive matchups over a two-day showcase. Cheer on local girls’ and boys’ teams who will showcase their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Spectators can expect to see fast paced action and clutch shots as some of the top teams and players battle it out on the court. In between the action, fans will enjoy halftime entertainment, raffles, and concessions.
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Get ready for gridiron glory as the Washington Commanders gear up to face off against their fierce rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a battle for supremacy! It's a showdown steeped in history, fueled by passion, and destined for greatness!
The Commanders, with their unwavering resolve and ironclad determination, are primed to defend their turf with every ounce of strength they possess! Meanwhile, the Eagles, soaring high with pride and purpose, are ready to swoop in and claim victory with their electrifying plays and unstoppable force!
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5720 Addison Road
Seat Pleasant, MD 20743
Dates: December 14, 2024
Location: Seat Pleasant Activity Center
Time: 10:30 AM
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