Visitors to Miami have spent approximately $20.8 billion. The numbers reveal a success story, highlighting the continued success of Miami in the tourism industry.

The recovery of the Tourism sector in 2022 saw an increase in the number of hotel guests who spent a whopping 17.1 million. This is an increase of 12.7% in comparison to 2021.

The high number of visitors can be attributed to Miami’s tropical climate, which makes it appealing to visitors, especially between May and October. Tourism is essential for economic growth as a result of taxes and employment opportunities; according to David Whitaker (CEO of GMCVB), taxes are essential for the sustenance of the transportation and healthcare industry.

The Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of the busiest airports in the United States due to the high numbers of international travels. Approximately 50.6 million travelers were served in 2022, with new routes introduced by carriers like JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines. 

Miami is a hub for tourists looking to experience unique cultures and partygoers looking to have some fun. According to recent statistics, many luxury brand stores experienced a record-breaking increase in the number of clients; the growth is projected to be higher than that of 2019 by 176.8%.

After the pandemic, the number of visitors to Miami has increased each quarter due to the slow ease of COVID regulations. The trend is expected to continue with the resumption of international travel.

The GMCVB has intensified its efforts in making Miami the most preferred tourist destination through the allocation of more resources. Competing with other international destinations will involve collaboration between all stakeholders in the Miami tourist industry.

Sargassum Seaweed in Miami

5000-mile-long seaweed blob that is heading towards Florida can have a significant impact on tourism in Florida and Miami. The peak season is during the months of June and July and predictions for this season aren’t in favor of beachgoers.

The post Miami’s Tourism Industry Booming With Record Visitor Growth appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

According to Rategain’s latest Pulse report, international arrivals to the region will increase by 15% this summer, compared to the all-time high in 2019.

According to the travel tech company, the region’s recovery has been significantly influenced by its ability to adapt and innovate to changing circumstances.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the nations that has responded quickly in changing its policies. In particular, the UAE has made significant progress in expanding its tourism sector. For instance, it now permits entry to sanctioned Russian tourists to enter the country and signed the Abraham Agreement in September 2020, which led to the opening of borders with Israel.

In January, Russia overtook China as Dubai’s second largest source market for tourists. There were 115,000 more Russian tourists in Dubai compared to 2022. The fastest growing source market for tourists in Dubai is currently Israel. In the first two months of the year, the emirate has already received about 85,000 Israeli tourists.

In addition, Turkey has shown flexibility in welcoming Russian visitors to its ports. In the first two months of 2023, more than 500,000 Russians traveled to Turkey, an increase of more than 100% compared to the same period in 2022, when Turkey hosted 246,000 Russian tourists.

In the first two months of this year, this increase in Russian tourism accounted for 13% of total foreign visitor arrivals in Turkey.

According to Bhanu Chopra, founder of Rategain, a political shift in the Middle East in recent years has helped it become a center of activity and a major travel driver in the post-pandemic world.

Business Travel Spending

Rategain’s analysis demonstrates how corporate travel to the Middle East and Africa area is still on the rise using information from its recently acquired travel intent analytics platform Adara.

“In the upcoming quarter, we estimate that the Middle East and Africa region will maintain its growth pattern and exceed business travel spending levels seen before the pandemic,” the report noted.

According to Rategain, the growth is reflected in rising airfares from Asia-Pacific to Dubai and significantly higher average daily rates for hotel bookings in Egypt and Saudi Arabia compared to last year, which was fueled by the demand during Ramadan.

Turkey’s Tourism Rise

Turkey ranked as the top leisure location with the most bookings for the following quarter, while the United Arab Emirates leads the list for business arrivals.

According to the study, foreign arrivals in Turkey are expected to increase by 40-50% compared to the same period last year, which is well ahead of the upturn in international tourism.

The post Middle East To Become Fastest Growing Travel Region, Says Retagain appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

On October 5, 2022, the U.S. Department of State reissued the Level 3 advisory. This indicates that Americans should reconsider traveling to the country.

Suggested: Check out the current Mexico Travel Advisory

Safety Updates and News from Jamaica:

May 11 – Jamaica is given Destination Resilience Award

Jamaica was awarded the Destination Resilience Award by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association (CHTA) for its actions to promote tourist resilience and for its efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Jamaica received the Destination Resilience Award for its implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). In addition, the island was recognized for its approach focused on collaboration and partnership.

“It is a pleasure to recognize my home country with this destination resilience award as it validates the countless hours and effort that went into the recovery through our public and private sector partners to ensure the survival of tourism,” CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig said.

April 3 – Jamaican Minister of Tourism to Participate in African Tourism Investment Summit on April 3

Minister Bartlett has been asked to speak at the eagerly awaited summit in his capacity as a well-known global authority on the tourism industry, resilience, and growth. The occasion will provide an opportunity for the Minister of Tourism to discuss the expansion of the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) satellite network in Africa, strengthen collaboration between Jamaica and South Africa in the travel and hospitality industries, and exchange ideas with tourism ministers from several African countries who will be present at the Summit.

“From a tourism perspective, Africa is the new frontier and Jamaica and, in fact, the wider Caribbean, are particularly interested in tapping into this new market.  Another important area of cooperation is tourism resilience. We already have a GTRCMC satellite center in Kenya and we look forward to expanding this important Africa Network,” Minister Bartlett said. 

March 3 – Jamaica’s Tourism Industry Starts Year Off Strong

According to Edmund Bartlett, the island’s tourism minister, Jamaica’s tourism industry is expected to generate $4.2 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31 – an increase of $500 million over last year.

The number of tourist arrivals reached a record high in January, up 15% compared to the same month in 2019.

“The industry has really returned with a bang,” Bartlett said in a phone interview Monday. Tourism the is fastest rebounding sector post-pandemic, “but it still hasn’t fully recovered.”

Do not travel to these areas:

Violence and shootings occur regularly in the following areas:

Areas of Clarendon Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.

Areas of Hanover Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Logwood and Orange Bay

Areas of Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Cassava Piece
• Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
• Duhaney Park
• Grants Pen
• Standpipe
• Swallowfield
• Elleston Flats
• August Town

Areas of Montego Bay – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Canterbury
• Flankers
• Glendevon
• Mount Salem
• Norwood
• Paradise Heights
• Rose Heights

Areas of St. Ann Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Steer Town

Areas of St. Catherine Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Spanish Town
• Central Village
• Certain areas within Portmore to include: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, and Waterford

Areas of St. James Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of St. James Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
• Cambridge
• Springmount
• Johns Hall

Areas of Westmoreland Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road)
• The Whitehall neighborhood of east Negril

Visit this website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Some concerns involve the country’s high rates of violent crime and homicide.

Although people who intend to travel to Jamaica should be aware of travel advisories, they can look up the specific details about the warning on the U.S. Department of State website. The advisory identifies specific high-risk areas in the parishes of Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, St. Andrew, Montego Bay, St. Ann, St. Catherine, St. James and Westmoreland.

Travelers who decide to visit Jamaica should avoid those areas completely. But that doesn’t mean that all of Jamaica isn’t safe.

Canada and Australia advise their citizens to exercise high caution when visiting Jamaica instead of suggesting that they should reconsider travel. Also, Montego Bay was rated one of the most popular destinations for American vacationers in the summer of 2022.

Suggested: Best beaches in Jamaica to Visit in 2022

The risk of crime at all-inclusive resorts and their surrounding areas is quite low. Travelers should exercise caution in any tourist-heavy region, using reputable travel companies, keeping valuables in their hotel safe and avoiding walking alone, especially at night.

The four-tier travel advisory system was launched in January 2018 to better help American travelers identify high-risk travel areas and understand the precautions that they should take. The U.S. issued or updated more than 100 travel advisories for major tourist destinations, including Japan, France and Italy, in October.

Safety Update Archives:

February 14 – Jamaica extends state of emergency through May

The St. James Parish’s state of emergency will now last until May 2 according to a resolution by the Jamaican House of Representatives. The famed Jamaican tourist destination Montego Bay is included in the emergency order, which was first issued on January 18.

“It was not anticipated that all that is required would be accomplished in 14 days,” said Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in a statement on the Jamaican government’s website. “It is reasonable to expect that even with extraordinary powers, it will take some time to affect the situation in St. James.”

According to Holness, the nation is still working to increase public and security force trust.

“While we acknowledge that there will be some disruption and fallout, we must take back control of our country and we must dismantle the network of organized crime,” Holness noted that widespread criminal activity, such as murder, lottery fraud, trafficking, and other illegal trades, is proof of a sophisticated and interconnected criminal ecosphere.

January 25 – Due to gang violence, Jamaica renews its regional states of emergency

To combat a persistent threat of crime associated with gang activities in the Caribbean country, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness renewed states of emergency in eight parishes.

Regional states of emergency, which permit authorities to search buildings and detain people without a warrant, were declared by Holness on November 15.

“While we have had reasonable success in controlling the number of murders leading up to and during the Christmas season, the threat levels for ongoing gang conflicts … (remain) elevated and extensive in scale,” Holness said in a press conference.

January 9 – A British national was murdered in Jamaica as of January 3

As of Jan. 3, a police inquiry into the death of a British national in the St. James Parish community of Bogue Hill is still going on. According to reports, the man was shot the day before at about 11:45 in a villa; he eventually succumbed to his injuries. The suspect has been detained by police. The attack’s motivation is yet unknown.

Jamaica has a high murder rate —40 per 100,000 people— and many violent crimes are linked to gang activity. The Jamaican government declared a state of emergency on December 29 for numerous parts of the nation, including St. James parish, in reaction to a recent spike in violence. Security forces are now permitted to make arrests and conduct searches without a judicial order.

The state of emergency has been extended by the Jamaican government to January 11, 2023. The US has also issued a Level 3 Alert regarding violence in Jamaica since October 2022.

December 19 – Jamaica imposes a widespread state of emergency to fight violent crime

Andrew Holness, the prime minister of the island nation of Jamaica, announced in a public address on December 7 that a nationwide state of emergency had been issued across the country to combat violent crime.

“All Jamaicans should be able to enjoy the Christmas season free from the threat of violence. We have some really serious criminal threats facing us and we have to use all the powers at our disposal,” Holness said.

Nine of Jamaica’s 14 parishes, including Clarendon, Saint Catherine, Westmoreland, Hanover, and portions of Kingston, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, and Saint James, which includes the well-known tourist attraction Montego Bay, would be under the State of Emergency (SOE).

December 2 – Funeral service ends with kid and young man murdered

According to Jamaican police, a five-year-old child was shot to death while his family was attending a funeral service in St. James. This brought the number of murders on the island this year to 1363.

Tavoy Cummings and a 24-year-old man known only as ‘Isis’, according to police, was killed in the incident, and the child’s father remains in critical condition in hospital. The boy’s mother, who was also in the car, was uninjured.

According to authorities, the family was on their way to Tomani Walters’ funeral when their vehicle was fired upon by unidentified assailants.

November 17 – Jamaica Announces a state of emergency due to rising crime, notably at Montego Bay, a popular tourist destination

The Prime Minister of Jamaica has declared a state of emergency due to rising crime rates in numerous locations, including the well-known tourist destination of Montego Bay.

In an effort to combat escalating gang-related crime, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in several central and western parishes, as well as areas of the capital Kingston.

When a state of emergency is declared, authorities are given more powers, including the right to search buildings and make arrests without warrants. The regulations, which took effect Tuesday, apply to places that include well-known tourist strongholds such as Montego Bay.

The post Is JAMAICA Safe? Travel Advisory 2023 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

David Collado, the Dominican Republic’s tourism minister, announced that the country’s tourism industry is thriving, with 2.8 million tourists visiting between January and March. This boom contributes significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for 25% of its GDP, according to the Dominican Central Bank.

In his speech to prominent representatives of the hospitality industry, travel agencies, tour operators and tourism service providers, Tourism Minister David Collado said that the Dominican Republic has established itself as a world leader in the sector. In 2022, more than 8.5 million tourists visited the country, of which 7.1 million arrived by air, he said.

“Never before in history has our country surpassed 6.5 million tourists by air. The dream of the Dominican Republic is to reach 10 million tourists, and it will be a reality because we are planning to reach 9.8 million,” he said.

He mentioned that in terms of sustainable tourism, the Dominican Republic is taking steps to become a more environmentally friendly destination by gradually eliminating the use of plastic in hotels. Another important strategy of the country is to reduce the price of airline tickets by signing an Open Skies Treaty with the United States.

“We already had meetings with the State Department, and we hope that a delegation from the United States will come to the Dominican Republic to finalize this issue. The United States is our top tourist-sending nation.” 

“We are also evaluating the reduction of the tax on airplane fuel and the fuel price. This will be effective over the next month because of the European market, which is very important in summer tourism, and we need to see how we lower costs for airlines for long-haul flights,” Collado said. 

He also shared that the Dominican Republic is at the forefront of meetings to address the problem of sargassum that plagues the beaches of the Caribbean. To this end, they have invested $6 million, of which $1 million has been allocated for research at various universities. He also explained that the Inter-American Development Bank has pledged $90 million for the restoration of the Colonial City (Santo Domingo), which includes churches, neighborhoods, streets and other symbolic places of the culture of the Dominican Republic.

“This transformation includes art, fashion, and gastronomy. We will leave the Colonial City as a polished jewel because it is a treasure and heritage of humanity,” said the Minister.

The post Dominican Republic Breaking Visitors Records And Gets Ready For A New Era For Tourism appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The travel and tourism sector has recovered 95 percent, according to the latest Economic Impact Report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). In addition, the WTTC forecasts that the industry will generate $9.5 trillion in 2023. That’s just 5% less than before the 2019 pandemic when tourism was at its peak.

Additionally, according to the WTTC, 34 nations have already surpassed 2019 levels.

The new information is based on joint research with Oxford Economics. The study also reveals that the industry is anticipated to regain 95% of its employment levels from 2019 in the coming year.

This optimistic forecast for the travel sector for 2023 follows a long period of consistent growth in 2022. According to the WTTC, the travel and tourism sector rose by 22% year over year to reach a healthy $7.7 trillion in 2022, despite the numerous economic and geopolitical challenges present worldwide..

The industry recovery’s final contribution to the global economy was 7.6 percent, which was its highest level since 2019. Even so, the worldwide GDP for travel and tourism is still 22.9 percent below its pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Another encouraging finding from the new data is that foreign visitor expenditure increased by a record 82 percent to $1.1 trillion in 2022, demonstrating that international tourism is once again back on track.

“By the end of the year, the sector’s contribution will be within touching distance of the 2019 peak. We expect 2024 to exceed 2019,” Julia Simpson, WTTC president & CEO, said in a statement. “The travel and tourism sector continues to recover at pace, demonstrating the resilience of the sector and the enduring desire to travel.”

Additional highlights from the WTTC report:

• According to the international tourism organization, the industry’s GDP contribution will increase to $15.5 trillion by 2033, or 11.6% of the world economy.
• By 2033, 430 million people will work in the travel business globally, accounting for about 12% of all employed persons.
• In terms of GDP contribution, 34 of the 185 nations examined for the study have now reached pre-pandemic levels.
• By the end of 2023, WTTC predicts that 95 percent of the 185 nations will have either fully returned to pre-pandemic levels or be close to doing so.

The post Global Tourism Is Reaching Its Pre-Pandemic Level From 2019 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

As airlines deal with a significant decarbonization challenge and more stringent climate compliance rules, this is the new reality of air travel.

Two significant changes to the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) are the first headwinds. For every ton of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere on flights that take off or land in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the airline must receive enough emissions allowances. Currently, they receive about half of these allowances for free. However, this agreement expires in 2026 as the percentage of allowances they must cover starts in 2024. Their carbon costs will effectively quadruple as a result in just three years.

The cost per unit of carbon emissions has also increased significantly recently; it reached a high of €100 ($111) for the first time in late February, and it doesn’t appear to be decreasing. According to a report by Bernstein’s European transport expert Alex Irving, these measures will cost European airlines roughly €5 billion by 2027. 

Aircraft are responsible for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. Therefore, aviation must become a net-zero emissions industry over the next three decades. By investing in future aircraft and infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and using alternative fuels and carbon reduction technologies, the European sector will reduce emissions in line with the plan Destination 2050.

Reaching net zero by 2050 will cost a staggering €820 billion, according to a study by research groups SEO Amsterdam Economics and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre that was commissioned by organizations representing the aviation sector.

According to both reports, the industry will not be able to cover these costs on its own. Operating profits for the continent’s six largest point-to-point carriers (Ryanair Holdings Plc, EasyJet Plc, Wizz Air Holdings Plc, Vueling, Eurowings and Transavia) are estimated to fall by 77% as a result of the changes to EU ETS alone. As a result, ticket prices will have to rise, which will inevitably destroy demand. “If it were possible to charge more without spoiling demand,” Irving writes, ” airlines would have already been doing so.”

The post For How Long Will Airline Ticket Prices Remain Increasing? appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The top 10 honeymoon destinations couples are considering for their post-wedding vacations in 2023 were selected using a combination of monthly Google searches and social media data.

The most popular destinations are Bali, New York and the Maldives. New York tops the list in terms of average monthly searches.

Without further ado, these are the three most sought-after honeymoon destinations this year:

1. Bali

It’s hardly surprising that Bali, with its fantastic beaches, picturesque scenery, year-round sunlight and rich culture, is at the top of the list of travel destinations. It’s a place that has something for everyone, whether you want to be active, explore, or just relax and take it all in. Nearly 90,000 Instagram users have used the hashtag #balihoneymoon to share their photos from their travels after the wedding. Getting there from the UK takes about 18 to 19 hours, but it’s so, so worth it.

2. New York

Travelers from all over the world must see the Big Apple, so it’s only logical that honeymooners also visit the city that never sleeps. It’s a great post-wedding vacation with plenty of activities, sightseeing, and romantic locations from TV and movies. The city also offers some pretty upscale accommodations. The flight is the shortest of the top three destinations and takes about seven to eight hours from the UK.

3. Maldives

The Maldives, which are made up of numerous tiny islands, are idyllic and full of romantic retreats for newlyweds. This collection of islands in the Indian Ocean is truly unmatched in terms of secluded beaches, marine life, and famous overwater villas. Aside from the time it takes to get to your island destination, it can take anywhere from 10 to 13 hours to get there from the UK.

Saint Lucia and Seychelles top the list of places on social media that people love the most because all the comments they receive are positive. With 95% unanimously positive comments, Hawaii is close behind in third place among the most popular places.

Here is the complete list of the most popular honeymoon travel destinations this year:

The post 10 Most Wanted Honeymoon Destinations In 2023 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The authorities have been cleaning the beaches ever since they were alerted to the situation but the peak of seaweed season is just about to come.

Is the sargassum seaweed dangerous?

Sargassum resembles a brown, leafy seaweed most of the time. It often floats on the surface of the ocean. It originated in the Sargasso Sea, a large region of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Sargassum Information Hub claims the algae “provides food and shelter for fish, mammals, seabirds, crabs and more.”

In typical circumstances, it can promote health of the ecosystem. Dolphins and turtles, on the other hand, can suffocate if they are unable to break through the water’s surface when it becomes too thick. Without sunlight, plants on the ocean floor can also perish.

Humans are also at risk from sargassum. It gives off rotten-egg-smelling ammonia and hydrogen sulfide gas. Inhaling this gas can cause problems with the skin, brain, and lungs. It can also cause signs such as nausea, difficulty breathing, and skin irritation. High exposure to sargassum can sometimes even be fatal.

In Guadeloupe and Martinique, there were 11,000 probable cases of sargassum poisoning in 2018. Patients reported having headaches, skin rashes, vertigo, and shortness of breath.

Sargassum gas exposure is not treatable in any way. Symptoms are often minor and improve with time. It is recommended to seek medical attention if symptoms get worse. It is advisable to stay away from seaweed altogether. Walking on the beach is discouraged, especially if the air smells like rotten eggs.

The tourism sector has also been affected by the sargassum bloom in Florida. According to Dr. Gustavo Jorge Gonie, an oceanographer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, travelers are strongly advised to check for the presence of sargassum on their chosen beach before visiting. He also shared:

“We’re trying to work on these early warning systems — high resolution in coastal areas, which takes higher-resolution satellite imagery to do a better job showing what’s actually coming into a beach within the next 24 or 48 hours.”

What are the alternative uses of Sargassum seaweed?

Sargassum has various alternative uses beyond its traditional use as a fertilizer. Some of these alternative uses include:

1. Animal feed: Sargassum seaweed can be used as a feed supplement for livestock and poultry due to its high nutritional content.
2. Bioplastics: Sargassum seaweed can be used to produce biodegradable plastics as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
3. Biofuels: Sargassum seaweed can be used to produce biofuels such as ethanol and butanol.
4. Cosmetics: Sargassum seaweed is used in some cosmetic products, such as facial masks, due to its skin-nourishing properties.
5. Pharmaceuticals: Sargassum seaweed contains compounds that have potential medicinal properties and can be used to produce drugs for various illnesses.
6. Soil erosion control: Sargassum seaweed can be used to prevent soil erosion in coastal areas.
7. Water purification: Sargassum seaweed can be used to remove heavy metals and other pollutants from water.

The post Is The Sargassum Seaweed Covering Florida’s Beaches Dangerous For Humans? appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

This has also had a significant impact on search patterns, with searches for “first-time solo travel” growing by 350% in the last month and searches for “is solo travel worth it” and “what solo travel teaches you” rising by 600% and 300% respectively in the previous year.

Based on TikTok popularity, destination rating on Tripadvisor, and most popular attractions, a new study by SIXT identifies the top travel destinations for first-time solo travelers in 2023.

Top First-Time Solo Travel Destinations in America:

The most popular destination for first-time solo travelers was Washington, D.C., which received 4.5/5 ratings.

With a staggering 2.2 billion views under the hashtag, Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, tops our list of most popular solo travel destinations on TikTok. Its many attractions, ranging from incredible parks to national monuments and memorials, have something for every solo traveler. 

The second most popular vacation spot for first-time solo travelers in 2023 is Austin, Texas (4.5/5 stars).

With an astounding 1.4 billion views under the hashtag on TikTok, Austin, Texas, ranks second on our list of the most popular destinations for solo travelers in the United States. Austin has a thriving music and nightlife scene. Enjoy the sunshine and the relaxed, pleasant atmosphere of the city.

For first-time solo travelers, Denver, Colorado, ranked the third most popular in 2023 (4.5/5 stars).

Denver, Colorado, is a must-see for any first-time solo traveler, with 1 billion views under the hashtag on TikTok and a thriving beer culture. Denver is the perfect destination for first-time solo travelers, combining urban sophistication with outdoor adventures, whether you want to unwind, get active, or take in street art.

The post TOP 20 U.S. Destinations For The First-Time Solo Travelers appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Beginning on April 3, Google announced it would test a program to track prices even after users have made travel reservations. Customers may get a refund for the difference if a cheaper price is discovered.

The initiative applies only to flights departing from the United States. A colorful price guarantee icon appears when a qualifying flight is presented. By promising that the price will not go down, Google Flights has proven that it is willing to back up its claims. (or your money back).

To put it mildly, it’s challenging to locate a route on Google Flights with a price guarantee as the program is still in its early testing stages.

There are additional restrictions, assuming you discover a trip that qualifies with the price-guarantee badge. You can only make straight bookings on Google Flights (not by clicking through to the airline’s website), and if the fare difference is $5 or less, you won’t be entitled to a refund. Refunds are also limited to $500 in a single year. You won’t be entitled to a refund if you cancel the trip.

Google will monitor flight prices after you make your reservation to see if they change. Google will email you to notify you of any price changes if the fare for your route decreases.

Google Flights will transfer the refund into your Google Pay account. Customers must therefore obtain the app 90 days before departure in order to claim the difference. Customers can expect the refund to appear under the app’s “Explore” tab, which shows earned rewards, within 48 hours.

According to a Google spokesperson, the major airlines with the “Book on Google” option are presently Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

Although the price guarantee only applies once a customer books the flight, Google warned that if an airline updates fares more quickly than they upload to Google Flights, it may not be able to give the guarantee.

According to the Google spokesperson, early testing had received favorable feedback.

“There’s really no downside for the traveler since it’s free to get the guarantee,” the spokesperson said. “Likewise, we’ve had productive conversations with airlines and they’re interested in how this program might evolve.”

Prior to the pandemic, Google tested the price guarantees in 2019, but the program was promptly suspended.

The post Google Flights Launches Refunds Program For Airfares If Price Drops After Booking appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.