Welcome to Smart Travel, where we’ll be spotlighting the latest can’t-miss travel news, from groundbreaking studies and data to tips on decompressing from your next destination meeting. Want to hear from market experts advising on successful business group planning strategies? We have you covered. Travel tech tools you need in your carry-on? We have just the thing. So, pack your bags and mark your calendars to check out this new, every-Friday feature!
The CDC Has Updated Travel Regulations for Dogs, Effective Now
On Aug. 1, the CDC is implementing new regulations for flying with pets, affecting the estimated 4 million animals that travel by air annually. This marks the first change in import requirements for the CDC since 1950. The new guidelines require all dogs to:
- Appear healthy upon arrival
- Be at least six months of age
- Be microchipped
- Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt
Additional considerations are the dog’s location over the previous six months and the country where vaccinations were administered. If the dog is coming from a place with a high risk of rabies, proof of a rabies vaccination is required.
The CDC has released a question-and-answer “DogBot” on their website, where travelers can determine what rules apply to their dog and how to prepare in advance.
Read More: American Airlines Eases Pet Policy
New Study Reveals Benefits of Sports and Music Tourism
Collinson International has just released a report revealing the details of spending by those traveling for sports and music events, and the results are eye-opening. With over 83% of respondents having flown to sports events in the past three years (or are planning to do so in 2025) and 71% doing so for concerts, this subsect of the travel industry is one we should all be paying close attention to. When it comes to sports, soccer dominates the market at a 69% share, and most attendees extend their stays by one to three days both before and after the big game. Sports travel is projected to reach $1.33 trillion by 2032, making fans a key demographic to consider when planning incentives, breakouts and more.
Read More: Sports Arenas and Stadiums: On Game for Meeting Planners This Year
WHOOP App Offers Travelers Health Benefits
This comprehensive app is designed to fully encompass a traveler’s health needs. Health monitoring has become a key method for travelers hoping to either manage or prevent any illness or discomfort while on the road. Once a user lands, the app provides personalized recommendations for an optimized recovery from jet lag, stress and other undesirable elements of travel. If an excursion involves more activities than desk work, WHOOP measures the strain outdoor adventures can take on the body, and then recommends an ideal balance of activity and rest that is customized to each user’s needs.
One of the key indicators of overall health is data sleep tracking, so WHOOP analyzes sleep stages and recommends actions for travelers looking to improve the quality of their rest. This and additional data tracking combine to form an individualized health overview for WHOOP users. What’s more, WHOOP has recently partnered with CLEAR for a study on stress and sleep as they pertain to travel. Results show reduced stress levels and improved sleep quality.
Read More: Could Wearables Solve In-person Data Dilemma?
KAYAK for Business Announces New Partnership
KAYAK has partnered with Blockskye, a payment and blockchain solutions provider, to offer customers an elevated experience when booking corporate travel. Perhaps most conveniently, the partnership eliminates the need for expense reports, a common if unwanted process.
KAYAK for Business Enterprise customers will now be able to manage all elements of their corporate travel bookings easily from anywhere, such as an airline’s website, via the KAYAK for Business platform or through a KAYAK agent. The user experience is seamless and flexible, benefiting business travelers.
From a company’s perspective, full access to global content and fares alongside controls that filter down to an individual set of needs is a welcome development. The funds saved on expense report generation and processing is also an added benefit. Plus, companies can track employee travel and spend in real time, providing an accurate reflection of costs at all times.
“By leveraging new technology and innovative solutions, we are reshaping an antiquated industry. This prospect of simplifying business travel is not only thrilling for us internally but also for every client and partner we collaborate with on this journey,” said Eva Fouquet, SVP of KAYAK for Business.
By working directly with airlines such as airlines like American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, KAYAK for Business Enterprise can integrate elements such as loyalty programs, keeping both companies and travelers happy.
Deloitte Names Uphill Struggles in Corporate Travel Report
According to Deloitte’s 2024 corporate travel report, “Upward Climb with Uphill Struggles: 2024 Deloitte Corporate Travel Report,” business travel spend by U.S. companies is expected to meet or exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024—but the full picture isn’t so simple.
Companies are looking for a better balance between the value of in-person meetings and concerns over budgetary and sustainability elements, such as increased average spend and travel frequency. Around 83% of surveyed business travelers consider the process to be “enjoyable,” with added bonuses such as networking opportunities, exploring new locales and options to extend the trip for leisure, but higher prices can interfere with plans. Travel managers say pricing’s impact on travel volume is 1.5 times more significant than budget cuts. To mitigate this, 55% of travel managers cite booking compliance as a top cost control measure, ahead of all other options, but only 56% of travelers say they always use them.
Corporate responsibility programs have increasingly considered sustainability when travel planning, and more than half reported they need to cut trips by 10 to 20% in order to meet their goals.
CTM Rebrands its Specialist Meetings and Events Division
Corporate Travel Management (CTM) announces the rebrand of its specialist meetings and events division ETM to ‘CTM Meetings & Events,’ effective now. The company promises better management programs and budgetary benefits for business meetings and events, as part of its corporate travel program. Data obtained by CTM’s 2024 Global Customer Survey revealed that between 84% and 90% of respondents expected to travel as much or more next year, whether it be for client meetings, internal events, conferences or tradeshows.
CTM points to the increased value of in-person meetings and events as a result of 2020’s global pandemic, which has led to a surge in at-home work. “The value of face-to-face engagement continues to grow. It’s clear that in-person interactions are crucial for fostering strong business relationships and that is the platform that meetings and corporate events provide,” said Tami Reier, CMP, CMM, general manager, CTM Meetings & Events, North America.
Oliver Hospitality Hotel Group Announces Boutique Loyalty Program, “Invited by Oliver”
“Invited by Oliver” is the brand’s newly launched loyalty program with perks, VIP events and special offers. With nearly 10,000 signups within its first two weeks, it’s a program that should be on your radar. Members earn one point per dollar spent at Oliver Hospitality Group hotels, including room reservation fees. Those points are redeemable toward your next stay at any hotels by Oliver.
Membership also includes VIP treatment with access to special offers, dining discounts, early alerts when new experiences at Oliver hotels, exclusive access to member-only events, potential eligibility for room upgrades and unique discounts unavailable to the general public. Oliver Hospitality Group is offering 500 points to new members as part of a limited time sign-up offer, so act fast!
