Weekly Bulletin: February 10, 2022 Edition

We’re in the Big Game…kind of.

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The pre-check list

With more destinations opening their doors to travelers, an airline revising its in-flight beverage policy, two budget airlines merging, and more, here are this week’s leading travel stories.

Who’s gearing up to reopen. Last week, New Zealand officials declared that the country will soon welcome back travelers. However, many tourists might need to wait until October to enter without quarantine.
Speaking of the Southern Hemisphere… After about two years, Australia announced it will reopen its borders on February 21st to fully vaccinated travelers, with no quarantine necessary.
Who’s updating their offerings. Southwest Airlines recently revealed that it will reintroduce alcoholic beverages to its in-flight menu for the first time in over two years.
Coupled up just in time for Valentine’s Day. It has been announced that Spirit and Frontier Airlines are officially merging. This merger aims to create an “ultra low-fare” carrier, making it the fifth-largest airline in the US.
Who’s seeking to change the guidelines. Many major airlines, businesses, and travel organizations are collaborating with the White House to eliminate COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated international travelers heading to the US.

Trending travel news

Here’s what’s trending and how it can enhance your travel experience.

It’s ski season! As previously noted, enjoying the outdoors is a prominent trend in 2022, as reflected in our data. More individuals are searching for destinations that facilitate a return to nature, perfectly aligning with winter ski trips. This is why we’ve launched our guide to Trending Ski destinations – which includes information on slope protocols, costs, and more. Check out some of our top picks:

Big Sky, Montana Search interest has surged by 106% compared to 2019**
Stowe, Vermont Search interest has increased by 89% compared to 2019**
Lake Placid, New York Search interest has risen by 84% compared to 2019**
Steamboat Springs, Colorado Search interest is up by 68% compared to 2019**
Park City, UT Search interest has grown by 40% compared to 2019**

Interested in seeing the complete list of trending destinations along with our insider tips? Check it out.

Community Voices

Insights from our community of travelers that can enhance your own journey.

Embracing travel in a new era. This month, we collaborated with award-winning travel blogger, podcaster, and adventure coach, Lauren Gay, to discuss how she encourages black women to explore beyond their comfort zones. Lauren shared her insights on integrating travel into our lives, even as the travel landscape evolves. Here are some of her tips:

Craft a fresh travel vision board. “This is your opportunity to establish new travel aspirations and devise a plan to bring them to life.”
Draw inspiration from incredible Black travel content creators. “With TikTok's rise, there are numerous creators sharing travel advice and offering much-needed inspiration.”
Set up notifications for travel deals. “As travel opens up again, activate those reminders to stay updated on the latest flight and vacation package offers.”

Visit the Travel Hacker blog to discover more of her insights.