Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

USTA releases guide on returning to normal travel

Sanitation and safety are key to restoring consumer confidence in the industry

FROM INCREASED SANITATION to better health screenings for employees, the U.S. Travel Association has prepared a list of steps the travel industry must take to return to normalcy after the COVID-19 outbreak. It has submitted the report, “Travel in the New Normal,” to the White House and state governors to provide guidance.

The travel industry had lost 8 million jobs as of May 1 and the overall economic impact of the pandemic is projected to be nine times worse than 9/11, according to USTA. Similar to policies recently released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and several hotel companies, the document aims to restore the public’s trust in the safety of travel.


“We want political leaders and the public alike to see that our industry is setting a very high standard for reducing the risk of coronavirus in our businesses, and that the practices in place to achieve that standard are consistent through every phase of the travel experience,” said Roger Dow, USTA president and CEO. “As travel reopens, travelers need the confidence that safety measures are in place from their departure to their return home.”

Restoring consumer confidence would lead to a faster economic recovery, but Dow said the decision must be based on official confirmation.

“We will not encourage people to travel until public health experts and authorities have made it clear that it’s the right time to do so,” Dow said. “Our industry’s focus is on preparing for that moment, and on demonstrating that our preparations are comprehensive and informed by the counsel of top experts. We are very determined to return to travel and the new normal as quickly as circumstances will allow.”

USTA’s guide lists six main issues on which travel businesses must focus:

  • Adapting operations, modifying employee practices and/or redesigning public spaces to help protect employees and customers.
  • Consider implementing touchless solutions, where practical, to limit the opportunity for virus transmission.
  • Adopt and implement enhanced sanitation procedures specifically designed to combat the transmission of the coronavirus.
  • Promote health screening measures for employees and isolate workers with possible COVID-19 symptoms and provide health resources to customers.
  • Establish a set of procedures aligned with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance should an employee test positive for COVID-19.
  • Follow best practices in food and beverage service to promote health of employees and customers.

"The ‘Travel in the New Normal’ guidance—as well as the entire effort to produce this work—can serve as a model for collaboration between the business and medical communities that forges a path toward healing both the public health and the economy,” Dow said. “This collaboration is something that should help our customers, our businesses and the industry as a whole to move beyond the most challenging period any of us has ever faced.”

More for you

Marriott Outdoor Collection

Marriott unveils 'Outdoor Collection'

Summary:

  • Marriott launches Outdoor Collection and Bonvoy Outdoors platform.
  • First two brands are Postcard Cabins and Trailborn Hotels.
  • Platform features 450+ hotels, 50,000 homes and activities.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL RECENTLY launched the brand “Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy” and introduced “Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors,” a digital platform that lets travelers plan trips by destination or activity. The first two brands in the Outdoor Collection are Postcard Cabins and Trailborn Hotels.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree adds six hotels to its third-party management platform
Photo credit: Peachtree Group

Peachtree picked to manage six hotels

Summary:

  • Peachtree adds six hotels to third-party platform.
  • Five are owned by La Posada Group, one by Decatur Properties.
  • Third-party portfolio totals 42 hotels.

PEACHTREE GROUP’S HOSPITALITY management division added six hotels to its third-party management platform. Five are owned by La Posada Group LLC and one by Decatur Properties Holdings.

Keep ReadingShow less
AHLA Foundation scholarships

AHLA Foundation awards $710K in scholarships

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation distributed $710,000 in scholarships to 246 students.
  • Nearly 90 percent of recipients come from underrepresented communities.
  • The foundation funds students pursuing education and careers in the lodging sector.

AHLA FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED $710,000 in academic scholarships to 246 students at 64 schools nationwide for the 2025–2026 academic year. Nearly 90 percent of recipients are from underrepresented communities, reflecting the foundation’s focus on expanding access to hospitality careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. government shutdown
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Congressional deadlock shutters government

Summary:

  • The U.S. government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to agree on funding.
  • About 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed daily, costing $400 million.
  • Key immigration and labor programs are halted.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT shut down at midnight after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on funding. Disputes over healthcare subsidies and spending priorities left both sides unwilling to accept responsibility.

Keep ReadingShow less
WTTC travel report

WTTC: U.S. tops travel sector with $2.6T GDP

Summary:

  • The U.S. led global travel and tourism in 2024 with $2.6 trillion in GDP, WTTC reported.
  • India retained ninth place with $249.3 billion in GDP.
  • The sector supported 357 million jobs in 2024, rising to 371 million in 2025.

THE U.S. LED global travel and tourism in 2024, contributing $2.6 trillion to GDP, mainly from domestic demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Europe accounted for five of the top 10 destinations, while India ranked 9th.

Keep ReadingShow less