Jamie Biesiada

Manasquan

Senior Editor at Travel Weekly

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Articles

Vanessa McGovern departing Gifted Travel Network

1 week ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

McGovern is a co-founder of the Mooresville, N.C.-based host agency, which got its start in early 2013. It was acquired in January by Canadian company Trevello World Holdings. Trevello is launching a U.S.-based host agency, but plans to keep GTN independently operating under Cochrane's leadership as its luxury-focused division. The partner relations team that McGovern oversaw will now report to CEO Jen Cochrane.
New York agency SmartFlyer starts Substack publication

1 week ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

Substack is a media platform that houses content and enables users to create paid subscription options. The platform was attractive to SmartFlyer because the agency believes it can connect with a new audience there, said Kayla Douglas, SmartFlyer's director of content. "For us, it's about community. And community is, yes, of course, our agents -- they're the foundation of everything we do, and we have a really successful email program that they can participate in," Douglas said.
After tariff turmoil, there's concern that Trump policies will hurt travel

1 week ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada |Johanna Jainchill

That state of uncertainty was only amplified when Trump paused reciprocal tariffs for most countries on April 9 for a 90-day period. In the meantime, travel companies -- and visitation numbers -- are already starting to show signs of strain. Earlier in the day, Delta, which had opened up 2025 seeing "strength continuing into the new year," pulled its full-year financial guidance, saying that a "lack of economic clarity" made it "premature" to provide outlook on the rest of the year.
ASTA and Tourism Cares partner on sustainable-travel course

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

The digital course is available to members for free during April in honor of Earth Month, ASTA said. It offers a beginner-level introduction to sustainable travel with three videos presented by Tourism Cares, touching on the foundations of sustainable travel as well as the business case for selling sustainable travel.
Host agency Fora launches Canada operations

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

Fora is operating in Ontario after completing its Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) registration, with plans to expand further into Canada in the coming weeks, Fora said. An annual membership fee, which includes access to Fora's advisor portal, is $399. That includes access to about 170,000 bookable hotels, training, content and marketing tools, streamlined commission payments, and an online forum.
A Universal theme park in England is under development

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

Universal Destinations & Experiences is developing a theme park, hotel and entertainment complex just south of Bedford, about 35 minutes north of London by train. The theme park will have "several themed lands featuring Universal's distinct style of immersive and thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment," according to a release. An on-site hotel will have 500 guestrooms. There will also be a retail, dining and entertainment complex.
Universal Orlando starts selling Epic Universe preview tickets

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

The tickets are available for park visits starting April 17. In the coming weeks, Universal said preview tickets will be available to more customers. "Please note that during the preview period, availability of experiences within Epic Universe may vary as Universal puts the final touches on the park in preparation for its grand opening," Universal said. Also, reservations are open for the Universal Helios Grand Hotel for arrivals starting April 16.
Travefy launches initiative to help new advisors

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

For $25 per month, billed annually, the one-year program offers advisors access to Travefy's itinerary management and client communication platform, a custom domain, an email address tied to that domain and website hosting. After an advisor's initial year in the NTAP, Travefy is offering discounted renewal pricing. Travefy CEO David Chait said advisors don't need to have any technical expertise to set up their domain or email.
Croatia's tourist board creates travel advisor certification program

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Jamie Biesiada

The program consists of five webinars focused on destinations, key attractions, accommodations, sustainable tourism and experiences. After viewing the webinars, advisors take an online quiz. If they pass, they are designated a Croatia Full of Life Specialist. The program is free. The tourist board said early adopters and top-performing advisors will be eligible for incentives.
Disney Destinations hosting Travel Advisor Appreciation Station at Animal Kingdom: Travel Weekly

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | USABy Jamie Biesiada |Jamie Biesiada

The appreciation station will be located at Upcountry Landing near the "Feathered Friends in Flight" show throughout the month of May. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the station is exclusively open to U.S. and Canadian travel advisors with valid agency IATA or CLIA identification. There, advisors can enjoy refreshments and the shade, take a rest and chat with Disney Destinations' Travel Agency Sales team.