Health & Fitness
Insider Travel Tips – July 2013
U.S. Border Control implements new technology to reduce long lines
Launching first in Vancouver, and then followed by Chicago, the technology will allow for passengers to skip the traditional filled out documents in favor of the now ubiquitous e-kiosks.
Holland America is changing the Name of their Alaska Tour Business
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They have announced that it will change the name of its Alaska cruise tour product to Land+Sea Journeys. The 2014 program will include 12 options all of which involve a Holland America cruise and a stay in Denali National Park. Some of the tours will also include the Yukon.
Carnival Cruise Line Pulls out of United Kingdom and Europe
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They announced that they will take its ships out of the U.K. and Ireland and return them to U.S. Ports. The reason given was market conditions, increasing air fares and that most of the passengers originated in the U.S.
Online Travel Companies must Remit Taxes to Chicago
Cook County Circuit court has ruled that online travel companies such as Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline are required to pay taxes to the city of Chicago on gross receipts from hotel room sales.
Canada’s Newest Airline Takes to the Sky
Westjet has launched Westjet Encore, the newest regional airline with service to Fort St. John, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Victoria and Saskatoon.
Delta Closes on 49% Stake in Virgin Atlantic
Delta Airlines has closed on its purchase of 49% of Virgin Atlantic Airways. Delta then detailed a codeshare agreement across 108 routes that offer customers seamless connections to 68 destinations.
Airline Fees Gaining Attention of Lawmakers
Lawmakers are beginning to question whether the increasing amount of revenue that the airlines generate from checked baggage fees and other ancillary charges should be taxed. Taxing baggage fees at 7.5% would have generated more than $260 million last year. The Bureau of Transportation reports airlines collected almost $3.5 billion from baggage fees in 2012, and more than $2.5 billion from reservation change fees. A possible new fee will be $10 if you want to sit next to a family member or friend.
Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.