Category: Travel News

Expensify adds travel booking platform built on Spotnana tech

Expense management specialist Expensify is launching a new travel booking platform built on Spotnana technology.

Expensify Travel will begin rolling out to customers next week on the company’s upgraded platform, New Expensify, the company announced today.

The initial release will include “extensive booking and management capabilities” in the Expensify web and mobile apps while, longer term, the partnership will see the integration of Spotnana’s infrastructure into the chat-based New Expensify app. Customers will then be able to book and manage trips and travel expenses and chat with colleagues within the app.

The Spotnana platform will give Expensify Travel users access

Mount Fuji: Japan forced to impose new rules to tackle overtourism at world-famous landmark

New rules have been posted for anyone who wants to climb one of the world’s most famous mountains.

Amid overtourism and littering those who want to climb one of the most popular trails of the iconic Japanese Mount Fuji will now have to reserve ahead and pay a fee.

The picturesque stratovolcano has also recently struggled with those who attempted “bullet climbing,” putting lives at risk.

The Yamanashi prefecture said it has introduced new rules for the climbing season, starting July

Avanti Destinations Launches New Travel Documents App for Travelers and Their Advisors

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:40 AM ET, Tue May 21, 2024

Custom tour operator Avanti Destinations is offering a new way for travelers and their travel advisors to easily access important travel documents: the new Mobile Documents app, available on all mobile devices.

Travel advisors can learn how to use the new app through an online video demonstration on Avanti’s advisor portal.

One month before a client leaves on their trip, Avanti’s documents team will send travel advisors their clients’ documents along with an invitation to the app. Within the app, travelers and advisors can easily download all their

Hong Kong boosts halal-friendly options and Maldives eyes solo travelers

With solo travel a notable trend in 2024, one resort in the Maldives is rolling out the red carpet for single travelers in July. Meanwhile, Hong Kong took its participation in the Arabian Travel Market to announce that it is planning to bounce back from pandemic lockdown with renewed efforts to attract Muslim holidaymakers.

And in the US, one of the country’s most-visited theme parks has revealed the opening date of its hottest summer attraction.

Here’s a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.

July is solo travel month for this luxury Maldives resort

Uber to Launch Airport Shuttle Service in US

Uber this summer will launch in the United States its Uber Shuttle service, which offers transportation to events and airports, the company announced in New York City.

The service currently is available in Egypt and India, according to Uber.

Uber didn’t disclose which airports would have shuttles available for use, but that it is “working with airport partners and local officials across the US and beyond to bring convenient and affordable airport shuttle service to riders.”

When the service becomes available, customers will see a ‘Shuttle’ option in the Uber app. Customers can book up to five seats in total

Buyers believe simplified booking is AI’s biggest opportunity

The simplification of planning and booking travel is the area in which artificial intelligence is most likely to benefit travel management, according to a new survey from Business Travel Show Europe.

When quizzed on what they believe are the biggest opportunities presented by the application of AI in travel management, more than four in ten (42 per cent) identified improvements in travel booking. More efficient travel programs was a distant second, selected by 18 per cent of buyers surveyed, closely followed by cost savings (16 per cent) and improved duty of care (13 per cent).

Meanwhile, when asked about their

Emirates to roll out A350 on European routes

Emirates’ first set of A350 aircraft will enter service in the latter half of 2024, including on select routes to Europe, the carrier announced this week.

The Dubai-based airline expects 10 new Airbus A350 aircraft to join its fleet by March 2025, serving short- and medium-haul routes in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

The aircraft will feature three travel cabins, with 32 seats in business, 21 seats in premium economy and 259 economy seats.

Flights to Bahrain will be the first to be operated by the new aircraft, with a daily service launching on 15 September. This will be

Heavy rains: Night travel, off-road riding prohibited in Idukki’s hilly areas | Travel

Idukki: Night travel through the hilly areas of the Idukki district has been prohibited until the withdrawal of red and orange alerts. The District Collector has issued strict instructions to the District Superintendent of Police, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Regional Transport Officers, and tahsildars to effectively enforce the ban. To ensure safety in the tourist areas of the district, restrictions will be imposed at centers around waterfalls and water bodies. Off-road safaris are also strictly prohibited in the district. The Tourism Department, DTPC, Hydel Tourism, Forest Department, KSEB, and local self-governments have been tasked with regulating and ensuring safety in the

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July is solo travel month for this luxury Maldives resort