This week, the travel community joined the world in mourning following the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009. We’ve included the latest updates for those with meeting or travel plans that include Reagan Washington National Airport.
In brighter news, the top travel trends of 2025 were revealed by a new report, so you’ll be up to date on the best ways to keep your attendees smiling. Seeing wellness rise to the top of the list of attendee preferences? New European river cruises are offering seamless integration of healthy itineraries, giving meeting profs one less thing to manage.
As always, Smart Travel is here to keep you in the know about everything travel and tourism.
Deadliest Aviation Disaster Since 2009 Occurs at Reagan International Airport
The country is still reeling from Wednesday’s deadly aviation crash over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., which involved a collision between PSA Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operated by a subsidiary of American Airlines, and a U.S. Army helicopter, a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk. An intensive investigation is ongoing, as are search and recovery efforts of 64 people on the American flight and three crew members on the Black Hawk.
Read More: Flight Safety Under Scrutiny
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) handles over 800 takeoffs and landings per day, and in 2024, DCA accommodated approximately 25 million passengers, surpassing its designed capacity of 15 million. Thousands of people with scheduled flights, including meeting planners and attendees, are now left wondering whether they should change their plans. Here is what you need to know:
- DCA has resumed normal operations, and all airport services are functioning as usual.
- Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that DCA is experiencing minor arrival delays averaging 15 minutes or less. These delays are mostly occurring due to inclement weather.
- As of Friday, there are no reports of any airlines offering widespread refunds or credits specifically for passengers wishing to change airports due to the plane crash. However, some airlines may offer these options if requested directly.
- No major meetings or events that are scheduled for this weekend, such as the Washington, D.C. Auto Show, have been canceled.
New Study Reveals Top Travel Trends and Destinations for 2025
International Medical Group (IMG) has released its 2025 predictions for travel trends, discovered through data gathered from over 1,500 IMG customers. Key insights include:
- International travel tops the chart. IMG discovered that 96% of respondents plan on at least one international trip, with 51% of them planning on at least three global trips.
- Domestic travel isn’t too far behind, with 85% planning on at least one domestic trip and 52% planning on three trips or more.
- Urban tourism has a slight edge, with 53% planning to visit major metropolitan areas.
- Slightly behind urban tourism is family travel, with 51% planning trips abroad to visit loved ones.
- Beach tourism is a draw for 42%.
- Rural tourism focused on nature and countryside experiences pulled in 40%.
- Additional highlights include adventure and sports travel, resort stays, cruises, special interest trips and travel to meetings and events.
“Each year, we look forward to the results of our Travel Outlook Survey to help us better understand how our customers are planning to travel in the year ahead,” said Steve Paraboschi, IMG president and CEO. “Travel trends are constantly evolving, and this research helps IMG better meet the growing demands of international and domestic travelers.”
AmaWaterways Launches Celebration of Wellness River Cruises
AmaWaterways, winner of Cruise Critic’s “Best for Active Cruisers” award, has announced a series of themed European voyages focused on physical health and mental well-being. Named the “Celebration of Wellness River Cruises,” these journeys provide carefully curated itineraries to provide guests with the opportunity to experience iconic destinations with specially crafted activities, dining and other options that will leave them feeling refreshed and reinvigorated from head to toe.
With the exponential growth in demand for health and wellness integration at meetings and events, those in search of a unique option with built-in well-being might find it here. Cruise services include daily wellness classes taught by experts, fresh cuisine, guided outdoor activities and more.
“As an advocate for a healthy lifestyle, I am passionate about offering our guests a vacation that nurtures their physical, mental and spiritual well-being,” said Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president at AmaWaterways. “We’ve been pioneers in the active river cruise sector for many years, and today, more travelers are seeking experiences that promote health and wellness, even while on vacation. Whether it’s staying active or connecting with the destinations in a meaningful way, these travelers are choosing cruises that align with their lifestyle.”
New Luxury Travel Booking Platform Launches
The Luxurist, billed as “the world’s first comprehensive luxury travel ecosystem,” made its debut on Wednesday. Currently available in the U.S. with European markets to soon follow, The Luxurist focuses exclusively on best-in-class accommodations and transportation and leverages innovative travel technology to users in the luxury sector.
Research from McKinsey projects that luxury travel will grow from a $239 billion industry to $391 billion by 2028, positioning The Luxurist with notable potential, and meeting and event profs may find the planning process for top-tier gatherings significantly streamlined.
The Luxurist is backed by travel technology advisor HBX Group, which provides a massive portfolio of over 3,300 curated properties across 141 countries. With a smoother booking process and a wealth of A-list offerings, the platform seeks to provide planners with the ultimate white-glove services.
“The luxury travel industry has long operated on fragmented systems that do not match the level of excellence high-end clients expect,” says David Amsellem, CEO of The Luxurist. “We are changing that by creating a platform that’s as sophisticated and exceptional as the experiences it helps create. Today’s luxury travelers demand flawless execution and unparalleled service. Through The Luxurist, we are enabling travel advisors to exceed these expectations while elevating their own experience of crafting extraordinary journeys.”
Features of The Luxurist include:
- Seamless end-to-end itinerary planning, enhanced by AI
- Exclusive access to the world’s most prestigious properties
- Real-time inventory management and booking confirmation
- Dedicated concierge team available 24/7
- Privileged rates and unique amenities for discerning clients
VisitBritain Launches Global Screen Tourism Campaign with Blockbuster-Inspired Film
National tourism agency VisitBritain launched a global screen tourism campaign this week, kicking off the series with a video highlighting many iconic film locations across Britain. The campaign, titled “Starring GREAT Britain,” is part of an effort to drive inbound tourism and debuted with a launch video that featured famous film and television moments, including those from Mission: Impossible, Bridget Jones, Spider-Man, Succession, Harry Potter and more.
Options for incentives centered on exploring famous filming locations are intriguing to many meeting profs, and several travel companies, such as Tours International, structure travel itineraries for exactly that. VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates pointed to how these tours can foster connection, saying, “Films, TV and tourism have a lot in common. They bring people together and they can transport us to new places, experiences and adventures. From exploring our vibrant cities, world-class attractions and stunning countryside, the backdrop to so many iconic filming locations, to enjoying our exciting contemporary culture and hospitality, Starring GREAT Britain inspires visitors to put themselves in the picture, discover more and book a trip to Britain right now.”
