The HQ

Issue: April 20, 2018

Morning in the Herodion Theater, evening at Zappeion Hall thrill U.S. travel agents

An initiative of Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and organized by the Federation of Hellenic Association of Travel Agents (FedHATA) whose president is Lysandros Tsilidis, the event, with meetings at the Hilton Athens, was in Greece for the first time since 1987. Named ASTA Destination Expo 2018, it serves to both spotlight and accelerate Greece’s recent tourism successes.

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NACTA, travAlliancemedia join forces

The travel agent organization, which represents the interests of the independent travel consultant and the greater travel consultant community, is working with travAlliancemedia to spread the word about NACTA’s benefits. Today, NACTA is a wholly owned affiliate of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). While separate associations, both ASTA and NACTA work to protect and enhance the entire retail distribution channel.

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Travel Headlines

FAA to order inspections of jet engines (Travel Weekly)

The FAA plans to issue a new airworthiness directive after the engine failure on a Southwest jet Tuesday that led to the first fatality aboard an American passenger airliner since 2009.

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MCO drops dispute with TSA over security lines (Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando airport authorities on Wednesday formally stepped off a controversial path toward ousting TSA officers in favor of a private security force...airport director Phil Brown credited TSA for recent workforce upgrades aimed at easing passenger wait times at Florida’s busiest airport. Orlando International would have been the nation’s first large airport to make such a move.

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Legislation to make it harder to tell how much airline tickets cost (Washington Post)

An old ticket-price tactic for airlines may make a surprise comeback, thanks to proposed legislation. Before a 2011 full-fare advertising rule forbade it, airlines displayed initial “base” ticket fares online without including the mandatory taxes and fees. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, introduced last week, puts that rule in jeopardy.

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Musk’s Boring Co. Raises $113 Million for Tunnels, Hyperloop (Bloomberg)

Hyperloop, a tube-based system – free of air resistance – intended to affordably move people from one destination to another at close to the speed of sound – Mach 1 – is making progress. SpaceX founder and CEO as well as Tesla co-founder, Elon Musk has raised $113 million in equity to move the effort forward. What impact will it have on air and rail travel as we know it, and when

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AmaWaterways talks emerging markets, onboard security, and european overcrowding (Travel Market Report)

The cruise operator is taking steps to open up the market to lure in the ocean cruiser. Just over a year away from the debut of its newest ship, AmaMagna, AmaWaterways is looking at taking advantage of new markets that are opening up in the world of river cruising.

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L.A. Biz Women of Influence - Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways (bizjournals.com)

The women we’re recognizing here are women who’ve made an impact both professionally and in their communities. They’ve found success in a range of businesses affecting the Los Angeles economy, including finance, real estate, media and entertainment. They’ve also been active in mentoring younger executives, working with nonprofit organizations and pursuing charitable endeavors.

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Marriott starts selling activities (Travel Weekly)

Marriott International will start selling in-destination activities through its 'Moments' program that previously was available exclusively for loyalty members who had purchased such activities only through accumulated points.

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Sabre: Airlines Need To Address Gaps In NDC APIs (The Beat)

The International Air Transport Association's New Distribution Capability initiative is treading a path to critical mass. Each of the global distribution system operators is supporting that endeavor and working to adapt airlines' NDC-based application programming interfaces into their environments.

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Inside the game-changing new TWA hotel at JFK International Airport (Conde Nast)

We're one step closer to time travel, but what direction we're headed depends on who you ask. Today, we got our first look inside the forthcoming TWA Hotel at New York’s JFK International, which is slated to open as early as spring 2019, inside the famed Eero Saarinen terminal and in two new towers rising on either side of it.

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For Americans, big changes in travel to Cuba (Associated Press)

Before former President Barack Obama launched detente with Cuba in December 2014, most Americans without family ties to Cuba could travel to the island only on expensive guided tours dedicated to full-time “meaningful interaction” with the Cuban people and — in principle at least — avoiding activities that could be ...

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Exclusive experiences rank highest with luxury travelers according to new survey (Virginian-Pilot)

A recent survey conducted by Travel Leaders Group reveals that luxury travelers are most interested in exclusive access and experiences, particularly VIP tours, private cars and drivers, and customized culinary experiences.

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2018 ASTA Entrepreneur of the Year - Apply Today

Travel Entrepreneurs - Does a $10,000 cash prize appeal to you or your business? How about free marketing for your company on stage at ASTA Global Convention 2018? Apply today to win the 2018 ASTA Entrepreneur of the Year Award! Click here to learn more about eligibility and how to enter.

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