Travel News: Iceland Prime Minister Announces Plans for Tourism Tax, JetBlue Adding Curaçao Flights, and More

The travel industry is constantly evolving, and //newseurope.me/ there’s always new news to share. Here are a few of the latest headlines:

Iceland Prime Minister Announces Plans for Tourism Tax

Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir has announced plans to introduce a tourism tax in an effort to reduce the impact of overtourism on the country’s fragile environment. The tax, which would be levied on all international visitors, is expected to generate around $10 million per year, which would be used to fund sustainable tourism initiatives.

JetBlue Adding Curaçao Flights as Demand Booms

JetBlue Airways is adding new flights to Curaçao, a popular Caribbean island destination, in response to growing demand. The new flights will operate from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS).

Northstar President Highlights Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in Travel Industry

Northstar Travel Group President and CEO Bob Gallagher has highlighted the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) in the travel industry. Gallagher spoke at the recent Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he called on travel companies to do more to promote DEI in their workplaces and in their marketing materials.

Southwest Flights Are Now Available to Book Through May 2024

Southwest Airlines has released its flight schedule for the first half of 2024, and tickets are now on sale for travel through May 31, 2024. Southwest is offering a variety of new and expanded routes, including new flights to Washington, D.C., and Phoenix.

Venice Not Included on UNESCO List of Endangered Heritage Sites

UNESCO has decided not to include Venice on its list of endangered heritage sites. The decision comes as a relief to Venetian officials, who have been working to improve the city’s sustainability and protect it from the effects of climate change.

Retired Flight Attendant Is Pushing a Beverage Cart 300 Miles to Honor Airline Crew Lost on 9/11

Retired flight attendant John Quinn is pushing a beverage cart 300 miles from Boston to New York City to honor the airline crew members who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Quinn’s journey is expected to take five days, and he is raising money for the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Southwest Is Making It Easier to Score a Companion Pass for 2024

Southwest Airlines is making it easier for customers to qualify for its Companion Pass for 2024. The Companion Pass allows customers to bring a companion with them on flights for free, plus taxes and fees. To qualify for the Companion Pass in 2024, customers must earn 100 qualifying one-way flights between January 1 and December 31, 2023.

Score a First-class Flight Upgrade With This Luxury Cruise Line

Luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises is offering a new way for passengers to upgrade to first class. The new program, called “Upgrade to First,” allows passengers to book a first-class stateroom for a fraction of the cost of a regular first-class cruise. The program is available on select cruises departing in 2024.

Hilton to Add 20,000 Tesla Chargers to Its Hotels Across North America

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is partnering with Tesla to add 20,000 Tesla chargers to its hotels across North America. The new chargers will be installed over the next five years, and they will be available to all guests, regardless of whether they are driving a Tesla or not.

These are just a few of the latest travel news headlines. For more information, be sure to check out your favorite travel news websites and blogs.