Starting this fall, passengers at Kennedy, Newark, LaGuardia and Stewart airports will have access to free WiFi for a 30-minute session, said the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, operator of the four New York-area airports. Following the free session, users may purchase additional access in hourly, daily or monthly increments. According to the port authority, the airports' WiFi service provider, Boingo Wireless, is investing about $3.8 million in hardware and software to support the upgrade. Boingo will recoup the investment through a cost-share arrangement with the port authority.

AirTrain service at Newark Airport resumed July 3, following a two-month repair. The 6.3-mile service is now shuttling passengers between terminals. The AirTrain station that links New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains along the Northeast Corridor also is back in service. Substitute shuttle buses that had provided alternate service remain available between Newark's Penn Station and the airport's three terminals if any problems develop.

The JW Marriott Hotel Beijing Central is located in the city's Xicheng district and is within walking distance of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The 412-room hotel has four restaurants and lounges as well as about 27,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 9,000-square-foot ballroom.

Further distinguishing our position as one of America's most trusted luxury travel services, Protravel International formally unveiled our more user-friendly website (www.protravelinc.com) on June 19th, representing three decades of leading expertise in luxury leisure and corporate travel, including in entertainment and music. The dramatically updated website highlights Protravel's vast array of corporate and leisure service capabilities, as well as its breadth of travel products along with links to each agent's personal expertise and travel photos. On June 5, Protravel employees and travel agents received a sneak peek of the reinvigorated website - along with Protravel's presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google +, Pinterest and Instagram - during the luxury agency's first annual employee gala event, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of Protravel's founding.

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The Economist Traveller Briefings are an essential collection of valuable insights for business travellers and global enthusiasts planning a trip. The Briefings are available for Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Korea, Britain and South Africa. Next up are France, Japan, and Australia. Come back to check for updates. Take a look or download their mobile app at: Economist Travel Briefings  

Whether it is the strong American work ethic or a new cultural "norm" at the office, a recent consumer survey by Travel Leaders Group reveals that a significant number of Americans can't - or won't - fully disengage while on vacation.  Over 95% of those polled state they "have or will take" at least one leisure trip in 2014; however 48.9% of those individuals will check work emails and/or voicemail messages while on vacation.   

Also 38.5% of those surveyed are leaving vacation days on the table. The survey was conducted by Travel Leaders Group - a $20 billion powerhouse in the travel industry (and Protravel International's parent company)-included responses from 2, 719 consumers throughout the United States.

"What's most compelling is that the anecdotal stories about Americans not using all their vacation time and not completely decompressing from life at the office is reflected in our survey findings. It's fundamentally clear that as a result vacation time has become an even more precious commodity - the traveling public deserves to make the most out of every dollar spent" explained Barry Liben, CEO of Travel Leaders Group. "From once-in-lifetime 'bucket list' trips to a quick weekend getaway, it is an investment in time and money, which is why our highly-trained travel agents make certain our clients get the most value out of their vacations."

Liben also pointed to the positive economic findings from the survey. "Make no mistake, vacation travel bookings are very robust this year. Our survey numbers mirror recent findings by PhoCusWright in which there is an increase in leisure travelers and what they are spending," Liben noted. "More than nine out of 10 survey participants will be taking the same or more trips than last year and 86% of those polled state they will be spending the same or more on their leisure trips this year as compared to 2013 - that's an increase of 2.5% and 2.6% respectively compared to our survey results last year."

Top Reasons for Vacation Travel: When asked

"What are the key reasons why you have taken (or will take) at least one leisure vacation in 2014?" the top responses were (participants could select more than one answer):

1. For rest and relaxation (68.3%)
2. To see and experience someplace new (66.4%)
3. I do it every year (48.4%)
4. For my mental and physical health (43.7%)
5. I need to get away (39.6%)

 

Four Seasons poolside restaurants a must for Summer

It's the ultimate combination: hot food, warm sun, cool water and cold drinks. That's exactly what you'll get when you dine by the pool at Four Seasons properties around the world. From American barbecue to Italian fare, the menus are just as diverse as the patios themselves - dive in!

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort: It's like a poolside picnic at PB&G, a smokehouse and rotisserie with platforms that suspend over the lake. Enjoy all your summer faves, from pulled pork and brisket to fresh salads and frozen cocktails, all served up with Southern charm.

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore: The sleek Splash Pool Bar & Grill at Recline in your lounge chair and order from a menu of light American fare at this fourth-floor oasis.

Four Seasons Hotel Moscow (opening later this year): Dining options include an airy fifth-floor café under a glass roof that's just steps from the lap pool and Spa. Snack on light spa dishes and fresh juices before or after a workout in this intimate 20-seat venue.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami: Bahia, the open-air restaurant, is situated in prime real estate: the hotel's pool deck. There, beside a flowing wall of water, you can order up local fare with a Latin influence. (The Mojito is not to be missed!)

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail: The spot to be is Pool Bar, surrounded by majestic mountain views. In summer, savor healthy salads and sandwiches. In winter, take advantage of the heated deck and sip on seasonal mulled apple cider.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze: The appropriately named Al Fresco is the Italian restaurant adjacent to the pool. You'll delight in traditional trattoria fare as you soak up la dolce vita.