In response to the recent fatal air collision in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump called for an upgrade to the U.S. air traffic control system. Romania has been added to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, opening up new opportunities for international tourism. Hilton announced a major expansion in India, with the first DoubleTree by Hilton set to open in 2027. Breeze Airways expands its network, adding new routes in 2024, with plans to grow in Memphis, Albany and Rochester.
As always, Smart Travel is here to keep you up-to-date on the latest must-read travel and tourism news.
President Trump Calls for Updated Air Traffic Control System
President Trump said in a statement Thursday that he would work with Congress to ensure the speedy adoption of a new computerized air traffic control system after last week’s collision of an Army helicopter and a commercial jet that killed 67 people. Reporting in Reuters indicated that he would be looking for more advanced systems produced in other countries.
The statement follows a Jan. 29 Presidential Action that called for a review of all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made at the Federal Aviation Administration over the last four years in order to “instill an unwavering commitment to aviation safety, and ensure that all Americans fly with peace of mind.
Read More: U.S. Reels After Historic Aviation Disaster
Romania Added to Visa Waiver Program
Looking to increase attendance at your next international conference? The U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) added Romania to the list of 43 countries that have been cleared to allow citizens to apply for authorization to travel for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without a U.S. visa. The same is true for Americans traveling to VWP countries under the reciprocal security agreement. Other countries added to the program over the last four years include Croatia, Israel and Qatar. Argentina and Uruguay are no longer part of the program.
U.S. Travel Association welcomed the addition, but called further expansion of the program a golden opportunity for the incoming administration to boost national security and the benefits of travel and commerce to the U.S. economy. “Expanding the Visa Waiver Program with the addition of Romania is a welcome step toward building back our share of global travel. The VWP enhances national security with greater information sharing between governments while facilitating increased travel for millions of potential visitors.”
It turns out that Romania, a European Union country, is home to 19 million with a relatively young workforce. The country is home to a robust automotive manufacturing industry and a growing IT and business services sector.
Hilton Partners to Grow in India
When announcing an agreement to build a first DoubleTree by Hilton in 2027 in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, an economic hub in Central India in collaboration with Sage Group, a company spokesperson focused on plans for growth in the area. Zubin Saxena, senior vice president and regional head, South Asia, Hilton said, “This signing underscores our commitment to growth in key regional markets, enabling us to offer Hilton’s signature hospitality to a broader audience.”
The upcoming DoubleTree by Hilton Bhopal will cater to both business and leisure travelers. It will feature 229 rooms, making the hotel the largest in the city to date. The property will also feature three restaurants and bars—an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and a lobby lounge. With 21,000 sq. ft. of event space, including an 8,000-square-foot ballroom, the hotel will host conferences, weddings and corporate events. It is located near commercial and retail complexes, 17 km from Raja Bhoj Airport and 10 km from the Bhopal Junction Railway Station.
Read More: Hilton Coins 2025 “Year of the Meetings Maximizer”
Breeze Airways Expands Again
Spirit Airlines may be in bankruptcy and cutting back, but the future seems to be looking up for Utah-based budget airline Breeze Airways (Breeze Aviation Group Inc.) which was founded by JetBlue co-founder David Neeleman and bills itself as “the nicer way to fly.”
The carrier added 29 airports in 2024 and is planning to add three more—Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Tennessee, Albany International Airport (ALB) and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), both in New York. That will bring the total places Breeze operates in to 70, mostly secondary markets or what Neeleman calls “underserved routes.”
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