We are still learning more about the plane crash in the Potomac River just outside of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, but it’s believed that all 67 passengers (60 passengers and four crew in the plane and three crew in the helicopter) are dead.
According to NPR, J. Todd Inman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday "We will not be determining the probable cause of the accident while we are here on scene, nor will we speculate about what may have caused this accident.” That did not stop President Donald Trump, however, from baselessly accusing diversity, equity and inclusion for the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration report obtained by The Associated Press says that staffing was “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic.”
In unrelated airline news, Spirit rejected another bid by Frontier to merge the carriers. Frontier first tried to acquire Spirit in early 2022 before that merger fell apart in favor of a Spirit-JetBlue merge. That, too, fell apart after it faced anticompetition concerns from the Biden Administration. Last summer Spirit then announced major overhauls to its boarding and in-flight experiences. The carrier filed for bankruptcy in November 2024. That said, Spirit says it expects to emerge from bankruptcy this quarter.
Elsewhere in the air travel sphere, TPConnects Technologies announced the implementation of NDC content and servicing capabilities for Air France and KLM on its Iris platform.
Key features of the integration include:
- Access to all fare families seats or baggage extra options, services such as special meal and offers including “Dynamic Seat Bundles”
- Live availability and real-time pricing guaranteed from booking until issuance
- Seamless booking and servicing capabilities like itinerary changes before/after payment
Business Tips
Looking to sell more travel insurance? Good news: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection found in its annual “State of Travel Insurance Report” that Gen Z significantly increased both the number of trips taken and the amount spent on travel in 2024.
According to the study, Gen Z travelers reported that they traveled more in 2024 compared to previous years and intend to travel even more in 2025—with the exception of taking road trips, which saw a slight decline. Even more notable, the survey indicated that as Gen Z’s travel increases, they are also purchasing more travel insurance to protect their travel investments and plan to further increase these policy purchases in 2025.
If artificial intelligence is still causing you grief, Cruise Planners has launched its newest eBook, "How to Leverage AI-Powered Technology." This guide explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the travel industry and offers travel advisors actionable insights to enhance their business operations and client experiences. The eBook highlights the following key benefits of AI for travel advisors:
- Automating Routine Tasks: From booking management to customer inquiries and itinerary generation, AI frees travel advisors to focus on delivering higher-value services.
- Hyper-Personalization: AI can analyze client preferences and travel history to offer tailored recommendations, fostering deeper client relationships and loyalty.
- Real-Time Optimization: AI-driven tools streamline travel planning by creating efficient itineraries, predicting disruptions, and recommending alternative routes.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Advisors can leverage AI for dynamic pricing strategies and identifying emerging travel trends.
Also on the AI front, Hurtigruten partnered with Approach Guides to provide story-driven trade marketing for travel advisors. This move is expected to significantly improve advisors’ relationships with clients by providing inspiring and detailed content to better sell the Hurtigruten experience.
The new solution includes instantly co-brandable marketing landing pages that showcase Hurtigruten itineraries, ships and promotions, as well as expert insights into destinations along Norway’s coastline and the experiences that await. Leveraging personalization-enabling AI, travel advisors can deliver content experiences at all client marketing touchpoints—website, email, social media and even in-person events with QR code.
The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) this week launched a refreshed website, developed and designed to meet the needs of its core stakeholders of members, travel advisors and consumers. Travel advisors will find easier access to connect with tour operators as well as resources for updates on travel news, trends and tools to enhance their business.
In addition, the USTOA blog comprises posts from members for travel inspiration around the world. Improved filtering options allow easier navigation to find relevant stories as each post is categorized by destination. The new hub also connects travelers with trusted tour operator members and USTOA-certified travel advisors.
Sustainability Focus
Internova Travel Group shared this week that it continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to combating climate change in 2024 by making significant strides in meeting its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Among these projects are its: Green Circle, which, through advocacy, education, partnerships and initiatives, aims to encourage travel advisors, customers, suppliers and employees to work together to help reduce the strain on our planet’s finite resources; carbon sequestration contributions that supported its partner Sustainable Travel International’s Climate Impact Portfolio of projects across forestry, energy, innovative climate technology and blue/teal carbon; and more.
Exodus Adventure Travels also announced its “Thriving Nature, Thriving People” approach to responsible travel, which supports conservation initiatives driven by local communities. A selection of Exodus Adventure “Travels’ Thriving Nature, Thriving People” initiatives include citizen science departures, rewilding efforts, ocean restoration, wildlife and animal welfare, empowering disadvantaged and under-represented communities and “community kickstart” projects.
All About Wellness
ZihFit, a private wellness retreat in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is embracing the growing demand for women’s wellness by launching a series of retreats in 2025. ZihFit’s new programs aim to provide a "sanctuary" for women to nurture their mind, body and soul while forming deep, supportive connections. Currently, two programs are scheduled: “Yoga with Jessica Greene” (March 1–4, 2025) and “Nourish Your Soul with Zoë Kors” (April 23–27, 2025) .
In addition, BodyHoliday St. Lucia announced its 2025 "Feature Months," offering a range of retreats for travelers looking to explore new interests or renew old skills. Offering an all-inclusive experience designed to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit, the resort provides guests with opportunities to train with pro-athletes and industry experts, along with daily spa treatments, activities, and diverse food and beverage offerings.
Hilton said that it has partnered with Calm, a leading mental health company, to address consumers’ increasing preference for wellness. Launching in March, the partnership integrates Calm’s content into Hilton’s proprietary Connected Room Experience technology—providing guests with access to guided meditations, Sleep Stories, calming soundscapes and mindfulness exercises directly from their in-room TV, with no subscription required.
Lastly, The Spa at The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is slated to open in summer 2025. The 5,000-square-foot facility will be New Hampshire’s newest luxury destination and day spa. Facilities include eight treatment rooms, two of which will be reserved for couples, plus men’s and women’s locker rooms, each with dry saunas, and two relaxation lounges with a double-sided fireplace. Additionally, floor-to-ceiling doors will lead to the outdoor mineral spa overlooking the property’s private apple orchard. An additional 1,500 square-foot terrace with views of the lake will offer a year-round outdoor oversized heated mineral spa, meditation garden and spa fire pit.
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