Amex Launches New Guest Program, Thailand Focuses on

Running occasions for VIP audio system? American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) simply made your life simpler with a modern new Guest T&E platform that rolls bookings, budgets and bills into one tidy bundle. Connecting by Dallas? American Airlines’ new One Stop Security pilot means you may skip the luggage shuffle and reduce connection instances in half. Craving some eco-inspiration? Thailand is rallying 20 private and non-private companions to hit sustainable tourism targets by 2030.

Luxury vacationers, take be aware—Emirates has unveiled its ultra-exclusive “Emirates First” check-in at DXB, full with leather-based armchairs and marble finishes. And if a 2027 incentive is in your thoughts, Norwegian Cruise Line simply dropped over 500 voyages worldwide, from private-island escapes to European city-hopping and glacier-filled Alaska adventures.

As all the time, Smart Travel is right here to convey you the newest updates shaping the way in which we transfer, meet and plan.

Amex GBT Streamlines Non-Employee Travel with New Guest T&E Platform

Booking journey for interns, contractors or VIP audio system simply bought rather a lot much less messy. Amex GBT has launched its new Guest Travel & Expense (T&E) platform, designed to simplify organizing journeys for non-employees.

The platform rolls the whole lot into one neat bundle: self-service profiles, bookings, digital card funds, expense monitoring and 24/7 assist. Meeting profs can set budgets, create occasions and monitor bills in actual time, whereas company benefit from the capacity to self-book and breeze by the method with out infinite back-and-forth emails.

“For many companies, the guest travel and expense experience is complex and messy,” mentioned Evan Konwiser, chief product and technique officer at Amex GBT. “Our new Guest T&E platform solves for this by seamlessly integrating budgets, bookings and expenses with secure, flexible tech.”

The software additionally boasts AI-powered receipt scanning and close to real-time expense reporting. It is at present accessible by Amex GBT’s Neo and Egencia options.

American Airlines Pilots ‘One Stop Security,’ Cutting Connection Times in Half

International connections simply bought a serious glow-up. American Airlines is now the primary U.S. airline to pilot One Stop Security (OSS)—a streamlined course of that lets vacationers arriving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) clear U.S. Customs proper on the arrival gate at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

No extra baggage carousels or safety strains. Checked baggage are routinely transferred to connecting flights, permitting vacationers to skip the same old claim-and-recheck shuffle. The program, developed in partnership with TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.Okay. Department for Transport, is designed to chop connection instances by greater than half.

“One Stop Security delivers a level of convenience and time-savings that’s never been available before to customers connecting from international flights,” mentioned David Seymour, American’s chief working officer.

Following a profitable pilot in London earlier this yr, the DFW rollout is just the start. American plans to increase OSS to extra routes and airports, giving vacationers a smoother, quicker solution to make their subsequent flight.

Thailand Unites for a Greener Tourism Future

Thailand is taking daring steps towards a sustainable tourism revolution. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and 20 private and non-private companions have signed a landmark Letter of Intent to push ahead Sustainable Tourism Goals (STGs) by 2030.

“This is a defining step toward a more responsible, inclusive and future-ready Thai tourism industry,” mentioned Sorawong Thienthong, Thailand’s minister of tourism and sports activities.

The coalition, spanning authorities businesses, resort teams, retail giants and tourism associations, will work collectively to chop emissions, shield biodiversity and champion native communities whereas balancing financial progress. Efforts just like the Thailand Green Plan 2030 and new sustainability certifications goal to improve 100 tourism websites and elevate inns to greener requirements over the subsequent 5 years.

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool summed it up finest: “We are setting a course that prioritizes stewardship of our natural resources, genuine community benefit and long-term resilience.”

The transfer positions Thailand as a world chief in eco-conscious journey and a mannequin for a way locations can align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Emirates Unveils ‘Emirates First’ Check-In Experience at DXB

Emirates has taken its first-class recreation to the subsequent stage with the official opening of ‘Emirates First’ at Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport (DXB), providing an ultra-luxurious, non-public check-in expertise for first-class vacationers and Skywards Platinum members.

The new house is a serene escape from the airport buzz, that includes plush seating, gentle lighting, marble and wooden floors, and a signature backlit Ghaf Tree—a nod to the UAE’s nationwide tree. Guests are greeted by devoted hosts and may test in from the consolation of leather-based armchairs, with family-friendly seating areas designed to make the method seamless.

“Our customers value privacy and convenience, and this is another level of hospitality that elevates their journey,” mentioned Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ deputy president and chief operations officer.

After breezing by safety, vacationers can head to Emirates’ famend first-class lounges for chef-crafted eating, Champagne, spa therapies and concierge duty-free buying earlier than settling into Emirates’ oft-‘grammed in-flight expertise.

The debut of ‘Emirates First’ follows a sequence of first-class upgrades, together with curated wine storytelling menus, limitless caviar served in Robert Welch bowls and artisan cheese boards.

Norwegian Cruise Line Drops 500+ Voyages for Summer 2027

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is giving planners one thing to daydream about with its just-announced spring and summer season 2027 deployment—more than 500 voyages throughout 20 ships, calling at over 150 ports in 59 international locations. Think seven-day European city-hopping, sun-soaked island escapes or Alaskan “coolcations” aboard ships constructed to showcase the good outside.

From April by October 2027, practically each Caribbean and Bahamas crusing will embrace a cease at one among NCL’s resort-style non-public islands: Great Stirrup Cay (at present present process a serious improve with a heated pool, new cabanas and a multi-ship pier) or Harvest Caye in Belize. Guests can even have their decide of brief three-day getaways or longer adventures, with weekend departures designed to make planning a breeze.

Across the Atlantic, eight ships will cruise Europe with port-intensive itineraries and late-night departures in sizzling spots like Santorini and Ibiza. The lineup contains Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, plus intimate mid-size ships crusing to lesser-known Baltic gems comparable to Riga and Klaipeda.

Alaska stays a star of the season, with Norwegian Encore, Bliss, Joy and Jade providing seven-to-10-day journeys filled with glacier views, wildlife sightings, and non-obligatory land extensions like Denali National Park excursions.

“It’s all about giving guests more of what they love—more freedom, more destinations and more unforgettable experiences,” mentioned NCL President David J. Herrera.

With overnights in Istanbul, Reykjavik and Bermuda plus first-time calls like Dubrovnik and Split, NCL’s 2027 season is stacked with choices for assembly profs trying to wow attendees.