Travel News August 2024

As travel enthusiasts, we love exploring new places, but our wanderlust is putting immense pressure on some of the world's most beloved destinations. Overtourism is increasingly becoming a critical issue worldwide, with local communities in cities like Barcelona, Athens, and Venice, as well as destinations across Asia and the Americas, rising in protest. In recent months, anti-tourism sentiment has surged, leading to street protests. In Barcelona locals are frustrated with infrastructure strain and cultural loss, while Canary Islands residents protest against the scarcity of affordable housing and low wages from tourism. Similar discontent is seen in Japan’s Kyoto, Thailand’s Koh Phi Phi, and Bali, Indonesia, where locals demand better management of tourist numbers to protect their resources and culture.

To address these concerns, stricter regulations and policies may be implemented, such as tourist taxes and caps on the number of cruise ships in places like Greece. Venice tested a 5-euro entry fee for day visitors, which may double next year. In Asia, Thailand has limited tourist numbers in ecologically sensitive areas, like Maya Bay, and Kyoto has restricted access to some private alleys in its geisha quarter.

As a response to overtourism, there might be a shift toward less-traveled destinations, promoting the discovery of new cultural experiences and easing the pressure on overburdened hotspots. In Africa, places like Rwanda and Namibia are gaining attention for their wildlife and landscapes. South America sees growing interest in countries like Colombia and Bolivia, while in Europe, lesser-known destinations such as Slovenia and Albania are becoming popular as travelers seek new experiences away from crowded tourist trails.

In case you have already planned to travel to any of the affected destinations, we encourage you to get travel insurance beforehand, a wise decision that can protect you from unexpected disruptions and provide reassurance throughout your journey. Explore our plans and get a quote with us now!

On Friday July 19th a flawed update by endpoint virus detection and response provider CrowdStrike triggered a global outage. Airline passengers experienced severe disruptions, with thousands of flights canceled and travelers stranded at airports. Hospitals had to close their doors to patients expecting routine appointments, and shoppers encountered the notorious Blue Screen of Death on self-checkout terminals. Even the organizers of the Paris Olympics reported impacts on the delivery of uniforms.

Airlines were among the most visibly affected sectors, with budget carriers like Frontier and Sun Country initially disclosing disruptions, followed by major airlines worldwide. By the end of the day, more than 4,400 flights had been canceled globally, with over 2,700 cancellations affecting flights in and out of the United States. The outage impacted key systems used by airlines for checking in customers, calculating aircraft weight, and operating call centers, causing cascading delays and rerouting passengers, much like the aftermath of a major snowstorm.

Airline travel in the U.S. is returning to normal however, Delta Airlines was slower to recover than its competitors, prompting the Department of Transportation to investigate the Atlanta-based carrier.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of airlines meeting standards and ensuring passengers are well-informed and supported, highlighting that around 5,000 complaints had been received regarding this incident. Buttigieg reiterated the administration's commitment to enforcing higher standards and ensuring airlines make necessary improvements to prevent such disruptions.

As a reminder of your rights, air travelers facing flight cancellations or significant delays due to maintenance issues or other reasons, are entitled to automatic cash refunds, rather than vouchers or travel credits as stated in the latest Passenger Refund Policies.

On the other hand, always remember to get a travel insurance plan with trip interruption and delay coverage included. At Trawick, we have several trip cancellation plans that offer both!

With travelers becoming more eco-conscious, Copenhagen is stepping up its game with a cool new initiative called CopenPay. This program turns your green actions into currency you can spend on awesome Copenhagen experiences. Whether you're biking around the city, helping out at an urban farm, or joining a local cleanup, you'll earn CopenPay credits. These credits can be used for free entry to museums, kayak rentals, or even a farm-to-table lunch. It’s a fun and practical way to reward yourself for making sustainable choices while exploring the city.

Using CopenPay is a breeze—just show proof of your green actions like a train ticket or a bike ride to redeem your rewards. This summer, you can try out over 20 complimentary experiences from July 15 to August 11 as part of a pilot program. It's a fantastic way to enjoy Copenhagen’s rich culture while doing your bit for the planet.

Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen, emphasizes that making travel sustainable is a top priority. "We want to close the gap between the desire to act sustainably and actual behavior," he explains. The goal is to make eco-friendly travel choices more appealing and enjoyable.

Through CopenPay, Copenhagen hopes to set a new standard for green travel, enriching visitors' experiences while promoting sustainability. Aarø-Hansen sees it as just one step in a larger effort to transform how we travel. For more information about this initiative, go to Visit Copenhagen’s website.

In a wave of changes sweeping through the airline industry, Southwest and Spirit Airlines are both shaking things up with fresh new policies and offerings. Southwest Airlines is making a major move by introducing assigned seating and overnight red-eye flights for the first time. This switch from their long-standing open seating policy comes as a response to customer demand for more predictable seating arrangements. The new approach will also allow Southwest to offer premium seats at a higher cost, adding a new revenue stream while enhancing customer satisfaction. These changes are set to kick off in the near future, with premium seating available by 2025.

Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines is stepping up its game with revamped fare bundles and a new boarding process designed to boost comfort and convenience. Starting August 16, Spirit will roll out several new fare options, including “Go Big,” which features upgraded Big Front Seats, free snacks and beverages, priority check-in, and Wi-Fi. For those seeking a bit more comfort without breaking the bank, the “Go Comfy” bundle offers a guaranteed blocked middle seat and a few perks like a snack and priority boarding. The “Go Savvy” option provides flexibility with one free bag included, while the basic “Go” fare continues to offer a no-frills experience.

Both airlines are clearly aiming to improve the flying experience in their own ways—Southwest with its move towards assigned seating and Spirit with its upgraded fare bundles. Whether you’re looking for a little extra legroom or a more comfortable boarding experience, these changes signal that airlines are listening to their passengers and responding with innovations to enhance travel.

Summer is a busy travel season for both people and their pets, but new CDC requirements have introduced significant hurdles for those relocating dogs to the United States. The new rules, aimed at preventing the spread of rabies, have created a maze of regulations that have left many pet shippers struggling to keep up.

The CDC's new regulations, effective August 1, mandate that dogs entering the U.S. be over six months old, microchipped, and appear healthy upon arrival. Additionally, dogs from high-risk countries for rabies may need to undergo blood tests or quarantine, potentially incurring substantial costs for owners.

This overhaul has led several airlines to suspend or restrict their pet transport services, creating major disruptions for military families, diplomats, and animal rescue organizations. Critics argue that the implementation of these rules has been poorly communicated and executed, exacerbating the challenges faced by those trying to navigate the new requirements.

For dog owners, it's crucial to stay informed and prepared to navigate these new requirements to ensure a smooth relocation process. As the industry adapts to these changes, continued communication and clarity from regulatory bodies will be essential in alleviating the confusion and supporting those dedicated to the safe and responsible transport of pets. To stay up to date and avoid any issues, please visit the CDC website.