- Current Events
- Travel Tips
- Supplier News
- Regional
- International
- Government/Legislation
- Technology
- Industry Trends/Innovation
- Supplier Spotlight
Current Events
-
As passport deadline looms, Web site offers help
As previously reported in CWT Traveler, January 23, 2007 is the deadline by which citizens of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document to gain entry into the U.S. A similar deadline for travelers arriving to the U.S. by land or sea is currently slated for sometime in 2008. These new requirements are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
To help ease this transition for travelers, the Travel Industry Association and Travel Business Roundtable have launched a new Web site, www.GetAPassportNow.com, designed to inform travelers about new passport requirements and provide resources for passport applicants. The site provides links to passport agencies for citizens of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as information on how to expedite the process for travelers who need to quickly obtain a passport.
Passport offices in the U.S. and Canada have been experiencing a sharp increase in passport applications as a result of the WHTI. Demand for U.S. passports is up about 60 percent. In November 2006 alone, Passport Canada received more than 355,000 applications – a 33 percent increase compared to November 2005. Currently, 27 percent of Americans and 40 percent of Canadians have a valid passport.
Sources: USA TODAY, www.getapassportnow.com
Most expensive U.S. airports for parking
While the cost of a plane ticket varies depending on when and where it was purchased, airport parking costs typically remain fixed for years and serve as a significant income stream for airports. In fact, according to industry officials, parking is an airport’s top non-aviation revenue source.
Parking prices are established by a number of factors; while some are determined by contract, others are driven by the market – increasing as demand increases. Rate increases, when they occur, are often done in response to local economic growth, rising energy costs, parking garage construction, or associated costs from a garage’s bussing system for terminal transport.
Forbes recently compiled a list of the 11 most expensive U.S. airports for long-term parking. Factors considered were the maximum daily rate, the maximum cost per week of parking, airport revenue generated from parking in 2005, and the number of parking spaces the airport provides.
Travelers who frequently use these airports should be aware of these costs and may even want to research non-airport owned parking facilities nearby to save money.
Source: Forbes
Business Traveler readers pick their favorites
Business Traveler magazine just announced the 2006 results of their annual Readers’ Choice Best in the Business Travel Survey. The survey, which was randomly distributed to 2,000 of the magazine’s subscribers, included a range of open-ended questions on every aspect of business travel—from the best airline and in-flight service to the best frequent-flier programs.
A complete list of global winners is available at www.businesstravelerusa.com. Here are a few highlights:
-
Best Airline for North American Travel: Continental Airlines
-
Best Hotel Chain in North America for Business Travel: Marriott
-
Best Car Rental Company in North America: Hertz
-
Best Airport in North America: Denver International Airport
-
Best Airport Lounges: Delta
-
Best Business Class to Canada: Air Canada
-
Best Airline for International Travel: Singapore Airlines
Sources: Business Traveler Magazine, just4airlines.com
-
