January 8, 2015 
In This Week's Issue:

News Spotlight: U.S. to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba

In an announcement on December 17, U.S. President Barack Obama announced a change of course in the country's relationship with Cuba. 

 

By Mark A. Keller, Latin Trade

 

In a historical moment, the United States announced on Dec. 17 that it would re-establish diplomatic ties with Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years. President Obama's announcement of a new policy towards Cuba has implications for both the bilateral diplomatic relationship, as well as business and trade relations. While a future Latin Business Traveler article will address what this means for business travelers, for now, here are a few excerpts from the White House press secretary's note on action the administration will take:

 

* Establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba

  • The President has instructed the Secretary of State to immediately initiate discussions with Cuba on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, which were severed in January 1961.
  • In the coming months, we will re-establish an embassy in Havana and carry out high-level exchanges and visits between our two governments as part of the normalization process. As an initial step, the assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs will lead the U.S. Delegation to the next round of U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks in January 2015, in Havana.

* Expanding travel to Cuba under the 12 existing categories authorized by law

  • General licenses will be made available for all authorized travelers in the 12 existing categories, including family visits, professional research and professional meetings; export, import or transmission of information or information materials; and certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.
  • Travelers in the 12 categories of travel to Cuba authorized by law will be able to make arrangements through any service provider that complies with the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations governing travel services to Cuba, and general licenses will authorize provision of such services.
  • Additional options for promoting the growth of entrepreneurship and the private sector in Cuba will be explored.

* Facilitating remittances to Cuba by U.S. persons

  • Remittance levels will be raised from $500 to $2,000 per quarter ... [and] donative remittances for humanitarian projects, support for the Cuban people and support for the development of private businesses in Cuba will no longer require a specific license.
  • Remittance forwarders will no longer require a specific license.

* Authorizing expanded commercial sales/exports from the United States of certain goods and services

 

* Authorizing American citizens to import additional goods from Cuba

  • Licensed U.S. travelers to Cuba will be authorized to import $400 worth of goods from Cuba, of which no more than $100 can consist of tobacco products and alcohol combined.

* Facilitating authorized transactions between the United States and Cuba-

  • U.S. institutions will be permitted to open correspondent accounts at Cuban financial institutions to facilitate the processing of authorized transactions.
  • The regulatory definition of the statutory term "cash in advance" will be revised to specify that it means "cash before transfer of title."
  • U.S. credit and debit cards will be permitted for use by travelers to Cuba.

* Initiating new efforts to increase Cubans' access to communications and their ability to communicate freely

 

* Updating the application of Cuba sanctions in third countries

 

* Pursuing discussions with the Cuban and Mexican governments to discuss our unresolved maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mexico

 

* Initiating a review of Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

 

* Addressing Cuba's participation in the 2015 Summit of the Americas in Panama

 

In addition to these announcements, the US government also said the country would continue "strong support... for improved human rights conditions and democratic reforms in Cuba," including the promotion of human rights and freedom of expression. Senior administration officials said the goal of opening relations would be to increase the Cuban people's self-reliance and reduce their reliance on the Cuban state. They added: "Ultimately, it will be the Cuban people who drive economic and political reforms."

 

Click to read the full article and the entire note at LatinTrade.com.

 

Cuban flag by STUART_BURNS1

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Delta

Business Travel News Readers Name Delta Top Airline: Voted highest in all 10 survey categories, Delta becomes the first airline to be ranked No. 1 by corporate travel managers four years in a row

 

Delta Celebrates Five Years of Growth in Brasilia, Brazil: Highlights include improved services, new 767-300 aircraft with BusinessElite cabin full flat-bed seats and growing connection options

 

Travel News

New Airline Routes and Route Changes

South America

On January 11, LANArgentina will add three-leg service connecting Buenos Aires and two Brazilian cities: Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Porto Seguro-Salvador da Bahia.

 

TAM will add weekly service between Recife, Brazil's Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport and Buenos Aires-Ezeiza as of January 24.

American Airlines

 

American Airlines temporarily ended first class service on flights between Miami International Airport and Rio de Janeiro's Gale�o-Tom Jobim International Airport, with first class seating now being sold as business class. First class will resume on May 7, 2015 when the Boeing 777-200ER begins operating on the route.

 

International Connections

Virgin America launched daily nonstop seasonal service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Florida, Miami area) through April 27. Virgin America also added a second weekly flight between New York-JFK and California's Palm Springs International Airport, through April 25.

 

Sunwing launched direct service between Ontario, Canada's Hamilton International Airport and Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic.

 

Airline Alliance News

Iberia and TAM began reciprocal codeshare service covering flights in Europe and Brazil. TAM will operate Iberia domestic flights out of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, with Iberia operating TAM flights out of Madrid.

 

American Airlines has begun a codeshare agreement with Mexico-based Interjet, adding the American code to service from Mexico City to five destinations in Mexico on the low-cost carrier.

 

American Airlines and El Al expanded their codeshare relationship, adding the American code to eight new routes flown by the Israeli carrier from Tel Aviv, Israel to cities in Europe.

 

Alaska Airlines expanded its codeshare agreement with American Airlines to cover 16 routes within the U.S. and Canada.

 

Virgin America and China Eastern Airlines announced a new codeshare agreement for flights between Shanghai, China and multiple U.S. destinations.

 

As of June 12, 2015, ANA (All Nippon Airways) will expand its codeshare operation with United, launching daily flights between Tokyo Narita and Houston International. The ANA code will appear on 19 routes out of Houston, Texas (U.S.).

 

Other Airline News

Brazilian low-cost carrier Azul will launch new cabin interiors in its Airbus A330-200s during the second quarter of 2015, reconfiguring the business class cabin in a 1-2-1 setup with seats that convert into lie-flat beds. Azul will also offer "economy xtra" with an additional three inches of legroom and seats that can convert into "Skycouches." All seats will come with personal USB and power ports.

 

Delta added seven new craft beer options to its in-flight beverage cart on select flights. Delta also partnered with Blue Smoke restaurant to offer an updated southern-style BBQ menu for BusinessElite fliers departing from New York-JFK for London-Heathrow, Brussels, Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich, Amsterdam or Dublin. Travelers can choose their meals by logging into their Delta account.

 

Alaska Airlines launched "Alaska Beyond," which includes streaming entertainment to personal devices, fresh and local in-flight snacks, in-seat power ports and six-way adjustable headrests.

 

Virgin America now offers Gogo's faster ATG-4 Wi-Fi service on all planes in its fleet. Connections should be as much as triple the speed of first-generation in-flight Wi-Fi.

 

Alaska Airlines will waive its $25 first-bag fee for Mileage Plan participants during the month of January.

 

JetBlue is now offering "CoatChex" in the T5 Terminal at New York's JFK airport. Passengers traveling to warmer climates can check coats (coats are visually linked to customers) for $2 per day, and retrieve them when they return to the airport.

Qantas First Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport

 

Airport News

Australian airline Qantas has opened a new Qantas First Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. The lounge features Knoll furniture, Carrera marble floors, a 48-foot long bar and 74-seat restaurant and bar with an open kitchen. It also boasts faster Wi-Fi, wireless printing, cable television, two private work suites and seven shower suites.

 

Queen Reina Beatrix Airport in Aruba now has 10 new automated passport control kiosks and four global entry kiosks.

 

Travelers using four New York City-area airports will be able to take advantage of complimentary 30-minute W-Fi sessions by the end of the first quarter. Until then, advertisers are sponsoring Internet access for travelers at New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Stewart International and Newark, New Jersey's Liberty airports.

 

Loyalty Program News

American Airlines announced that it will not convert its AAdvantage and Dividend Miles programs to spend-based programs. AAdvantage and Dividend Miles members will be able to earn bonus miles for first- and business-class flights and additional elite bonuses for specific flights throughout 2015.

 

Virgin American Elevate members can earn double points through February 28 for travel between New York-JFK and any one of four U.S. cities: Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Florida, Boston or Las Vegas.

 

Choice Privileges members can earn triple points for stays that include a weeknight (Sunday-Thursday) through February 18, 2015. Stays must be booked directly with Choice and registration is required.

 

InterContinental IHG Rewards members can earn double airline miles for every stay (with a maximum of 10,000 bonus miles) between January 7 and April 30. Miles can be earned in more than 40 airline programs. IHG Rewards members can also earn at least 50,000 bonus points between January 1 and April 30 for completing personalized tasks such as downloading the IHG app, booking direct with IHG, completing a weekend stay and staying three nights.

 

Between February 1 and April 30, Marriott Rewards members can earn 2,500 points for second and subsequent stays (maximum of 25,000 points). Registration must be completed by March 31.

 

Beginning January 22, the Hyatt Gold Passport program will decrease the points required for a free night's stay at 48 hotels, while increasing the points at 22 properties.

 

Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn 500 bonus points for each of up to three stays booked via Starwood's mobile app.

 

Car rental comp Hertz is now awarding elite status in its Gold Plus Rewards to elite members of Delta's SkyMiles  program. SkyMiles members must register to receive Hertz status.

 

Hotel News

InterContinental Hotels Group agreed to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the world's largest independent boutique hotel operator, for $430 million in cash, making IHG the market leader in the boutique hotel segment.

 

Hilton Worldwide now offers digital check-in and room selection at more than 4,100 hotels in 11 brands worldwide via Hilton Honors accounts. In conjunction with the rollout, the company also launched an update to the Hilton Honors iOS app.

 

All Hyatt hotels will offer free Wi-Fi to guests beginning in February. Loyalty program members will receive a free upgrade to "premium" Wi-Fi service where available.

 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts will begin offering free Wi-Fi to loyalty program members who book rooms through the company's website and mobile app, as well as to travel agents who book via SPG Pro.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bogota Zona Financiera

 

Colombia Openings

Starwood opened the Four Points Bogota, a 140-room hotel located blocks from the Parque de la 93, near the Zona Rosa and the financial district and business center. It also boasts more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space with six ballrooms.

 

Starwood also opened the Four Points Barranquilla in Colombia. The 119-room property is located in the city's northern financial and commercial area, and offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas, a business center, a full-service restaurant and bar, indoor pool, fitness center, five ballrooms and meeting space for 200 people.

 

The 99-room, LEED Gold certified Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bogota Zona Financiera has opened, featuring an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access, a business center, meeting spaces for up to 200 people and complimentary parking.

 

Mexico Openings

The 151-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Hermosillo is now open near General Ignacio Pesqueira Garc�a International Airport, Galerias Mall Sonora and the "Cerro de la Campana" mountain with amenities such as video conferencing services, 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market, foreign currency exchange and local transportation.

 

The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta opened after a $20 million expansion, renovation and repositioning. The property features 335 suites (including swim-up) on Las Estacas beach, as well as a fitness center, entertainment and supervised children's activities. It has 6,500 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom and outdoor gardens.

 

Royalton Resorts opened two hotels in Mexico: the 1,140-room Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and the 340-room adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun. The Resort & Spa offers 24-hour concierge and room service, complimentary Wi-Fi, nine restaurants, a Kids Club, Hangout Teens Club, disco, sports pub and 12 themed bars. The Hideaway features an a la carte restaurant, five bars and an adults-only pool as well as access to all amenities and restaurants at the other property.

 

The 305-room all-inclusive Allegro Cozumel Resort reopened following a four-month renovation that includes a new Italian restaurant, a new Sports Bar and new Teen Club, Disco Bar, spa and fitness center, tennis courts and theater.

 

Miami Opening

The Yve Hotel opened in Miami's Brickell business and financial district, with 243 rooms, an on-site restaurant, fitness center, 1,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and access to Car2go vehicles.

 

Central America Opening

The 108-room Hampton by Hilton Panama has opened in downtown Panama City featuring complimentary Wi-Fi, boardroom and meeting room, 24-hour business center, complimentary hot breakfast and 24-hour snack area.

 

Caribbean News

The Occidental El Embajador in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic joined the Preferred Hotels & Resorts luxury collection.

 

The adults-only Chic Punta Cana by Royalton opened on Uvero Alto Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It has 323 suites, DJ booth in the pool, cabanas, oxygen bar, outdoor disco, five restaurants and 24-hour room service.

 

The five-star all-inclusive Melia Jardines del Ray has opened on Cayo Coco's Playa Flamenco in Cuba. The property features 1,176 rooms in 25 buildings, nine themed restaurants, handicraft stalls, sports facilities, pools, an ice cream parlor, aquabar and dance classes.

RideScout

 

Hotel Pipeline

Wyndham Worldwide reached a franchise agreement with Peru-based Costa del Sol and will add seven Wyndham-branded properties in Peru within the next year, converting six existing hotels and building a 144-room hotel in Lima.

 

G6 Hospitality plans to expand its Hotel 6 and Estudio 6 brands in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, looking at Mexico first, followed by Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Nicaragua

 

Ground Transportation

Mobile app RideScout gathers ground transportation information in a specific area, including directions, cost and arrival times. Users can search options by cost, time or proximity and can (in certain cities) book rental cars and connect to bikeshare programs. The app is currently offered in 69 international cities.

 

Hertz will increase rates on rental cars for 2015.

 

American Airlines, courtesy of American Airlines; Qantas First Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, courtesy of Qantas; Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bogota Zona Financiera, courtesy of Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bogota Zona Financiera
 

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