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CHINA DROPPING PCR TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
China continues to ease COVID-19 travel protocols as country officials have announced that inbound international travelers will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR test upon arrival, reports Travel Pulse. China had recently resumed issuing all types of visas last month but kept the existing PCR testing requirements in place. Beginning Saturday, April 29, China will no longer require the PCR test results as it continues efforts to increase tourism. Additionally, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said airlines would no longer be required to check test results before departure; however, international travelers would still need to present a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours of boarding their flight. “To further facilitate cross-border travel, China is taking new steps to refine pre-departure testing requirements guided by the principle of ensuring safe and orderly travel and keeping the measures science based and well targeted,” Mao said. China’s National Health Commission recently announced that COVID-19 cases have dropped to the lowest levels since December 2022 despite starting the process of rolling back coronavirus-related safety measures.
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JFK AIRPORT RENOVATION PROJECT UNDERWAY; TRAVLERS ADVISED TO PLAN AHEAD
Renovations at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will affect the ways in which travelers navigate to and from the airport, reports NY PIX11. The $19 billion improvement project — which includes demolishing, renovating, and rebuilding Terminals 1, 4, 6, and 8 — is expected to impact the Air Train, a taxi pickup stand, and more. Pickup spots are changing for the major terminals, including for taxis and ride share drivers. As of April 26, the taxi pickup stand at JetBlue's terminal 5 will no longer exist. Travelers will need to walk to a secondary location. And beginning Monday, May 1, the Air Train won't stop at Terminal 1; it will be replaced by buses to supplement its connections. Those re-routes are expected to last for several months. “We are asking people to take note of the construction challenges to recognize there will be temporary changes and we are going to be doing the best we can to minimize those disruptions," said Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority. "In the end, it will be worth it," he added. As part of the construction of the new Terminals 1 and 6, the Port Authority will close multiple airport roadways, which will primarily affect those headed to Terminals 1 and 5. Traffic engineers will monitor congestion in real-time in order to mitigate traffic jams during construction. Officials highly recommend that travelers use mass transit to get to JFK and to arrive extra early at the airport.
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DELTA TO RESUME SERVICE BETWEEN LONDON GATWICK AND NEW YORK
Delta Air Lines has announced that it is returning to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) after 15 years absence, resuming daily nonstop flights between LGW and New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK). The flight is scheduled to operate daily year-round with the following schedule:
- DL198 JFK to LGW departing 11:35PM arriving 12:00PM (next day)
- DL199 LGW to JFK departing 2:10PM arriving 5:00PM
This route was revealed in September 2022, as part of a summer 2023 seasonal route announcement by Delta. The carrier says it now plans to fly the route year round. “We are thrilled to welcome Delta Air Lines back to Gatwick. It means that we will expand furthermore our connectivity to the US. This trust from such a network carrier as Delta underlines the competitiveness and the operational capabilities of Gatwick," said LGW CEO Stewart Wingate. With the resumption of the LGW-JFK route, Delta becomes the only carrier of the big three US airlines to service the London airport.
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MARCH US AIR TICKET SALES SET RECORD
The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) accredited air ticket sales in March totaled over $9.6 billion, a 22 percent increase year over year, and the highest monthly total ARC has ever recorded, reports Business Travel News. The previous monthly record was $9.3 billion, set in March 2019. March's sales and trip totals were supported by a "robust increase in international travel demand from the comparable prior-year period," according to ARC. "ARC's air travel ticket data supports what we're hearing from airlines regarding strong spring and summer demand for both corporate and leisure travel," ARC chief commercial officer Steve Solomon said. "A larger portion of the summer demand is for top European destinations like London, Paris, and Rome, which are showing significant year-over-year increases in air travel ticket purchases from US travelers." Month over month, total ticket sales increased 15 percent, while total trips also increased 15.3 percent. US domestic trips increased 16 percent compared with February, and international trips increased 14.2 percent for the same period.
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EU AGREES TO DECARBONIZE AIR TRAVEL WITH THE 'WORLD'S LARGEST GREEN FUELS MANDATE FOR AVIATION'
The European Union (EU) has agreed to a deal to decarbonize the air travel sector, seeking to decrease heat-trapping emissions by promoting the region’s green aviation fuel market, reports CNBC. The proposal aims to increase both demand for and supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at EU airports, starting at 2 percent of overall fuel supplied by 2025. This will rise to 6 percent by the end of the decade, before climbing to 70 percent by 2050. The measures also require aircraft operators departing from EU airports to refuel only with the fuel necessary for the flight to avoid emissions related to extra weight or so-called “tankering” — when operators deliberately carry excess fuel to avoid refueling with SAF. EU officials described the agreement as a “turning point” and “another important step” for European aviation, saying the measures were designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports and improve energy security. The proposal must now be approved by EU countries to become law, which is typically a formality.
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2332 LEONARD STREET
DALLAS
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Nestled in the fashionable Uptown neighborhood, Hotel ZaZa Dallas offers business and leisure travelers an inspiring hotel experience with extensive perks. Striking the perfect accord between Mediterranean elegance and comfortable chic, this unique choice among Dallas boutique hotels offers exquisite guestrooms and concept suites, award-winning dining at Dragonfly restaurant, a nightlife scene, and a relaxing day spa. | |
HOTEL ZAZA HOUSTON MUSEUM DISTRICT | |
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Situated in the heart of the vibrant Museum District, world-renowned Texas Medical Center, and thriving downtown central business district, Hotel ZaZa Houston is an unexpected feast for the senses. Introducing business and leisure travelers to a larger than life experience, this unique choice in Houston boutique hotels boasts a collection of exquisite guestrooms and suites, including Pool Villas, Concept Suites and The Magnificent Seven Suites, award-wining dining at Monarch Bistro, and a relaxing day spa onsite. | |
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Experience Chicago from the heart of the city. The luxurious Loews Chicago Hotel, situated steps from Navy Pier, offers guests spectacular city skyline and lake views while enjoying the comforts of home. This top-rated luxury hotel in Downtown Chicago is ideally located near Magnificent Mile, and close to the city's most popular attractions including Millennium Park and the John Hancock Center.
Hotel highlights include:
- 400 guestrooms, including 25 luxury suites
- ETA Restaurant + Bar: A tavern for today's travelers serving rustic American fare and modern Midwestern hospitality
- Enjoy craft cocktails and delicious eats in the Lobby Lounge
- Flavor by Loews Chicago Hotel brings an authentically local culinary experience directly to you on property
- 31,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space
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1600 KING STREET
ALEXANDRIA
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A favorite among hotels in Old Town Alexandria, The Lorien Hotel and Spa equally values work and play trying to emulate that balance in everything they do. As a guest, the hotel wants travelers to feel pampered and cared for in a space that easily could be a dear friend's home. The hotel's convenient location neighboring the nation’s capital gives easy access to the museums and monuments of downtown Washington, DC, but guests also enjoy the quieter feel of Old Town a destination marked by distinguished history and a modern day buzz. In addition to being the only hotel and spa in Alexandria, it also offers two top notch restaurants with French and European inspired cuisine with a contemporary bent lovely outdoor terraces, naturally lit meeting rooms, and an enticing décor that is simultaneously refined and relaxed. | | |
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2430 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON, DC
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A historic luxury boutique hotel In Washington, DC. 2022 TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award winner for Top 10 percent hotels worldwide, The Melrose Georgetown Hotel continues to be among the top notable hotels the Nation's Capital has to offer. Where traditional style meets contemporary classic in comfortability, décor, and creative culinary initiatives. This boutique style hotel offers immediate access to the city's top attractions. Check out historic Georgetown for shopping, the Potomac waterfront for dining, or stroll up Pennsylvania Avenue. | |
MILLENNIUM BILTMORE HOTEL, LOS ANGELES | |
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506 S GRAND AVENUE
LOS ANGELES
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Soon to be celebrating their 100-year anniversary – and having recently added the ‘Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument’ accolade to their mantle – The Biltmore Los Angeles is the grand dame of downtown and this district’s most historic hotel.
This beaux-arts institution has impressed guests and locals since the glory days of Old Hollywood, capable of entertaining a galaxy of stars, dignitaries, and presidents from around the world. Having played host to a golden-era prohibition nightclub, numerous Academy Awards ceremonies, and feature film sets throughout the years.
Their three ornate towers stretch above the ballrooms below, giving guests a view of the stunning Pershing Square. And with the booming arts and cultural scene of downtown Los Angeles just outside, travelers can easily explore and discover the true spirit of Tinseltown.
Take a pick from their variety of restaurants and bars or take a cooling dip in the indoor pool that still feature the original brass railings and ornate blue tiling from the Roaring Twenties. It’s time to visit LA in true Hollywood style.
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1335 SIXTH AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
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New York Hilton Midtown sits opposite the Museum of Modern Art and surrounded by subway and bus lines. Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall are two blocks away and just a short walk from Central Park. Grand Central Station, Broadway, and Times Square are within a mile.
Their elegant guestrooms and suites overlook the bustle of midtown and Manhattan’s iconic skyline. All of their rooms feature Hilton Serenity beds, a work desk, and Wi-Fi access. For extra space, book connecting rooms or one of their stylish suites.
Enjoy innovative, seasonal cuisine made with sustainably sourced ingredients at their concept restaurant, Herb N’ Kitchen. Bridges Bar celebrates Manhattan’s Seven Bridges and serves a delicious selection of cocktails and fine wines. Rendezvous with friends or people watch at the Lobby Lounge.
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SOFITEL CHICAGO MAGNIFICENT MILE | |
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20 E CHESTNUT STREET
CHICAGO
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Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile offers French luxury and local cuisine in the world's most exciting city. Explore all Chicago has to offer, from its famous history to award-winning architecture to its diverse culinary offerings. The hotel’s attentive staff, passionate for creating personalized experiences, is here at the guests’ service.
The accent is on comfort within their sleek Chicago luxury hotel. Their 415 downtown Chicago luxury hotel suites and rooms exemplify "art de vivre", with designer furnishings, spacious marble bathrooms, and views of downtown and the John Hancock Observatory.
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768 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
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Since its debut on October 1st, 1907, The Plaza has remained a New York icon hosting world leaders, dignitaries, captains of industry, Broadway legends, and Hollywood royalty. As an established staple for lavish society affairs and blockbuster films, The Plaza has welcomed guests from around the world to enjoy its magic at the castle on Central Park South for more than 100 years.
The passion and uncompromising attention to detail which made The Plaza a legend continues with its timeless grandeur and a new and contemporary spirit.
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GBT Travel Services UK Limited (GBT UK) and its authorized sublicensees (including Ovation Travel Group and Egencia) use certain trademarks and service marks of American Express Company or its subsidiaries (American Express) in the “American Express Global Business Travel” and “American Express Meetings & Events” brands and in connection with its business for permitted uses only under a limited license from American Express (Licensed Marks). The Licensed Marks are trademarks or service marks of, and the property of, American Express. GBT UK is a subsidiary of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE: GBTG). American Express holds a minority interest in GBTG, which operates as a separate company from American Express. | | | | |
