Episode 18: Travel News: August 2023
Hi travel besties and welcome to another episode of the Just Book It Podcast. Last month we spoke about the top travel news of July and I am excited to kick start August with some amazing travel news coming your way. We have lots to cover throughout my research, so without further ado, let’s get started. Stay tuned for more travel news coming your way and let’s dive into what’s new in the travel industry this week.
Travel News: August 2023
News Article #1: Greek PM offers free Rhodes vacations to everyone whose trip was affected by wildfire
If you were traveling to Greece last month, specifically Rhodes, the Greek Prime Minister is offering a FREE vacation to anyone whose trip was impacted by the wildfires for a whole week. Now that the country is back and fully operational, they’re pleased to start welcoming tourists next fall or spring. No additional information was given so we’ll have to stay tuned. Let me know if your trip was affected and I’ll directly email you when I hear the news!
News Article #2: UNESCO recommends putting Venice on its heritage danger list
With too many tourists and climate change in full effect, Venice is on its last leg. From a massive drought to extreme flooding, travel to Venice is unpredictable and at the forefront of climate change. They’ve already banned cruise ships from flowing through the canals; however, the UNESCO board argues that “there has not been a ‘significant level of progress in addressing the persistent and complex issues related in particular to mass tourism, development projects, and climate change.’. As a result, deteriorating buildings and structures are “degrading the cultural and social identity of the property”. In order to keep Venice afloat and intact, putting this city on the UNESCO danger list will improve awareness about over-tourism and the effects of climate change. If you’re looking to travel to Venice soon, either do it before it’s all underwater or wait to prevent over-tourism!
News Article #3: United Airlines to add Braille to plane interiors
Braille is going to start becoming more and more accessible on United Airlines flights in their initiative to “ [make] the flying experience more inclusive and accessible” for everyone. They state that “Braille will be used to indicate aisle and seat numbers and the location of lavatories, according to United”. United’s App is also becoming more inclusive with easier reading programs for the blind to understand. We love to hear that! Stay tuned and if you see Braille on a plane you’re flying, now you know the background story.
News Article #4: Frontier Airlines will be closing check-in, bag drop earlier starting this month
They’re really cracking down on late travelers with new implications in their check-in process. They’re cutting off the time an extra 15 minutes, from closing 45 minutes before the flight to 60 minutes before the flight. The main purpose is to help flyers get through security, their gate and navigate the airport in a timely manner. What do you think of this?
News Article #5: Christmas in July: Is it time to shop for winter airfare bargains?
We have been talking all June & July about record-breaking Memorial Day and 4th of July travel, but saying this every month is a bit repetitive. Let’s just come to the consensus that EVERY month will break records, but in particular, Christmas travel this year will be at an all-time high. The founder of a travel website named Going, Keyes states, “We’ve seen records being broken all throughout 2023. … All of that is telling me to expect more records to be broken and expect it to be another busy, busy winter travel period”. He recommends planning it out now and then using this guideline to purchase flights,
- For international flights: “Berg advises booking by the second week of September to avoid higher prices”
- For domestic flights: “Prices will probably be at their lowest the last two weeks of September to the first two weeks of October”.
News Article #6: NYC Restaurant Week : From July 24 to August 20, enjoy 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners across the five boroughs—starting at $30.
The naming is interesting for a month-long event, but NYC Restaurant Week is in full effect. You can score sweet deals on 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners starting at just $30. Browse through hundreds of restaurants and get hungry for all you’re about to eat!
News Article #7: American Airlines bans North Carolina teen who tried popular travel hack
American Airlines not only banned the North Carolinian teen but grounded the airplane for doing what is called “skip-lagging”. Instead of buying an expensive one-way ticket to Atlanta let’s just say, he found a cheaper flight that was going to Miami but had a layover in Atlanta. Instead of taking the flight all the way to Miami, he just left at the layover which violates most of the travel policies. He was detained and interrogated along with being banned from American Airlines.
There You Have It
Well, that’s all for now! Thanks for staying tuned on what’s happening in the travel world this month and JUST BOOK IT! Be sure to check my website for fun and exciting posts, and subscribe to my newsletter to get instant updates on new information, and check out my socials for things to do in NYC, around the world & more! Bye, guys!
what do you think?