Tired of Group 5 airline travelers jumping the line and stealing your overhead space? American Airlines has gifted passengers an early holiday present this year in the form of new technology to shut down group-jumpers. Looking for a showstopping dining experience to feature at your next meeting? St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Ginori 1735 to offer your attendees a meal for the ages. Considering Saudi Arabia for a future event? You’re not alone—a major conference is being held to address the G20’s fastest-growing MICE market. As always, Smart Travel is here to catch you up on the industry’s must-read news.
American Airlines Cracks Down on Group-Jumpers
As we enter into the holiday season, American Airlines has provided an early gift to travelers in the form of expanded technology that reinforces the company’s boarding policies. After successful trials at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Tucson International Airport (TUS), the new software, which rejects boarding passes from passengers in groups that haven’t been called to the gate, has now been implemented in over 100 airports.
“We’ve heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because it’s a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase,” said Julie Rath, American’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery. “The initial positive response from customers and team members has exceeded our expectations, so we are thrilled to leverage this technology to deliver for them ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.”
First-Ever International MICE Summit (IMS) Will Focus on the Future of Saudi Arabia’s Business Events Sector
As the fastest-growing G20 MICE market, Saudi Arabia’s business events sector will be the focus of the upcoming inaugural International MICE Summit (IMS), to be held in Riyadh Dec. 15-17. Over 1,000 global MICE leaders, hosted by the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), will gather at Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (MISK) under the theme “Expanding Horizons” for plenary, panel discussions, innovation clusters and collaboration hubs.
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Saudi Arabia’s MICE industry saw a nearly 15% boost in 2023 as a result of over 17,000 events that brought in over 20 million visitors, cementing the country’s position as a major meetings and events destination. An upcoming $156 million incentive program will debut in 2025 to support marquee events, and rapidly expanding infrastructure projects will provide improved access to travelers.
“In a time marked by profound technological and environmental transformation, the MICE industry has emerged as an essential catalyst of change. By focusing on the future of the industry, IMS24 addresses the needs of a globalized world—reshaping how people, cultures and countries connect to create prosperity,” said IMS host and chairman of SCEGA, His Excellency Fahd Al-Rasheed.
Luxury Resort Brand Bardo to Open Pittsburgh Location in 2026
Boutique hospitality firm Left Lane will convert Pittsburgh’s 40-story Gulf Tower into Hotel Bardo Pittsburgh, opening summer 2006. The location will feature 130 guest rooms and suites, 220 residences, three restaurant and bar concepts, and 10,000 sq. ft. of leisure and meeting spaces. Jerad Bachar, VisitPITTSBURGH chief executive, said, “Pittsburgh is well known for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene and now our portfolio of premium offerings—from iconic accommodations and world-class museums and theaters, to renowned dining spots. The opening of Hotel Bardo Pittsburgh further elevates our city’s evolving reputation as a place where modern sophistication meets authentic charm.”
Pittsburgh Mayor Josh Shapiro recently announced a $600 million, 10-year development investment in Downtown Pittsburgh in order to revitalize the area. Hotel Bardo Pittsburgh will add to the city’s luxury hotel portfolio, which includes The Oaklander, Omni William Penn Hotel and The Fairmont.
WTTC Calls for $65 Billion Investment to Protect Coastal and Marine Tourism from Climate Crisis
Yesterday, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) addressed world leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference and called for an urgently needed $65 billion investment in direct emissions reduction and other climate adaptation efforts within the coastal and marine tourism industries. The sector generated $1.5 trillion and supported 52 million jobs worldwide in 2023, yet its environmental footprint is in serious need of improvement, as underscored by an upcoming WTTC report to be released in collaboration with Iberostar Group and Oxford Economics.
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The report, “Climate and Ocean: Quantifying Coastal and Marine Tourism and Protecting Destinations,” revealed that coastal and marine tourism directly contributed to over 390 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions last year. Rising sea levels, extreme weather and coastal erosion are impacting destinations worldwide, with some regions being particularly vulnerable. Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC, said, “Protecting our coast and marine life isn’t just an environmental necessity; it’s a social imperative. Our report quantifies the scale of the challenge…Given the economic and social value of coastal tourism, we are calling on governments, development organizations and Travel & Tourism businesses to act now to safeguard these vital natural resources.”
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Partners with Ginori 1735 for Worldwide Luxury Hospitality
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and porcelain brand Ginori 1735 have announced a worldwide partnership, with Café Ginori debuting at The St. Regis Florence in Italy on Nov. 26. The new dining experience will feature bold designs with a “joy of luxury” theme, and a second location will open early next year at St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.
Patrons will be led through innovative menus by Café Ginori’s Master of Plating, with four distinct dining experiences featured throughout each day. Details include Oriente Italiano wallpaper, embroidered fabrics, pieces from Ginori’s Domus home décor collection and, of course, a range of tableware by the world-famous porcelain company. Jenni Benzaquen, senior vice president of St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, said, “This collaboration redefines non-conventional luxury, inviting guests to experience a sensory journey at our most iconic addresses, where the creative playfulness of Ginori meets the glamour and timeless elegance of St. Regis.”
