{"id":21789,"date":"2020-12-03T07:34:39","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T15:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/?p=21789"},"modified":"2020-12-03T09:58:54","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T17:58:54","slug":"december-2020-travel-news-articles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/december-2020-travel-news-articles\/","title":{"rendered":"December 2020 Travel News Articles"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>Curated by Ed Boitano<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As U.S. Races Toward COVID-19 Vaccine, Britain Takes the Lead<\/h1>\n

By\u00a0Daniel Trotta<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Covid-19<\/p>\n

(Reuters) \u2014\u00a0Britain leapt ahead of the United States in approving Pfizer\u2019s COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, intensifying scrutiny on U.S. regulators as they consider whether to grant emergency use in the country that leads the world in coronavirus infections.<\/p>\n

A day after top U.S. health officials announced plans to begin vaccinating Americans as early as mid-December, British regulators granted emergency use approval to the vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc along with Germany\u2019s BioNTech SE.<\/p>\n

Dr. Jose Romero, chairman of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said U.S. officials will be watching closely to see what they can learn from the British experience with a vaccine that requires extreme refrigeration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m personally interested to see how well they can deliver it and how their transport systems, the dry-ice trays that hold this vaccine, function in the real world,\u201d Romero told CNN.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it keep the vaccine cold? Are there any issues involved in getting the vaccine out from a central point into the public sector? We can learn from that and adjust our plans as necessary,\u201d Romero said.<\/p>\n

The vaccine still faces regulatory hurdles in the United States.<\/p>\n

A Food and Drug Administration panel of outside advisers will meet on Dec. 10 to discuss whether to recommend emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna\u2019s vaccine candidate is expected to be reviewed a week later, and others are under development.<\/p>\n

While some U.S. health officials described a timeline that assumed FDA authorization would come within days of the Dec. 10 meeting, the head of the FDA\u2019s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Dr. Peter Marks, told patient advocacy groups last week that it might take \u201ca few days to a few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, likewise, has said the process could take longer, and the vaccine calls for two separate injections given three weeks apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does take two doses to get the full 95% efficacy, but there\u2019s a possibility that some patients will derive protection after one dose, so the vaccine can start having an immediate impact,\u201d Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Trump administration and a member of the Pfizer board of directors, told CNBC television.<\/p>\n

With many Americans still refusing to follow basic public health guidance on wearing masks and avoiding crowds, a vaccine could be crucial to arresting a raging pandemic that killed 10,000 people and infected 1.1 million last week alone in the United States.<\/p>\n

Another 2,624 new U.S. deaths were reported on Tuesday, raising the cumulative death toll above 270,000 since the pandemic began. More than 13 million have been infected.<\/p>\n

A record 96,000 COVID-19 patients were reported in U.S. hospitals on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally, at a time when exhausted healthcare professionals are short-staffed with many of their colleagues falling sick.<\/p>\n

Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, president of the renowned Cleveland Clinic, told MSNBC television on Wednesday that his hospital had three and a half times as many coronavirus patients now as it did in April during the first wave of the outbreak.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hospitals are full,\u201d Mihaljevic said. \u201cVirus is currently everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also cautioned against further spread over the year-end holidays, after millions of Americans defied official warnings and traveled for Thanksgiving last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pandemic is spreading in families,\u201d Mihaljevic said. \u201cWhen people get together with people they know under their own roof, then that is when the guard comes down. This is when the masks are not being worn, when social distancing is not being put in place. And therefore we will have to reconsider how we celebrate this coming holiday season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Nick Zieminski<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Travel Stars Shine Brightest<\/h1>\n

Courtesy Business Traveler<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The 2020 Best in Business Travel Awards highlight resilience, innovation and staying power<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Business<\/p>\n

The Best in Business Travel Awards are celebrating 32 years of honoring the star performers in the industry, making it one of the longest-running readers\u2019 choice awards in travel. In years past, these awards have generally been a reflection of steady, incremental improvements that the industry\u2019s leaders have developed \u2013 innovative products, added routes, new thinking in service levels and technology, all the steps that travel providers take to make life on the road easier for you, the readers of Business Traveler.<\/p>\n

In many ways, 2020 has been a year like no other. The challenges of COVID-19 have caused wrenching changes throughout the travel industry. The weight of cross-border bans, countrywide lockdowns and pure fear that crushed global travel at the beginning of March continues now and into the foreseeable future. This has left our readers with a dilemma: When I cast my vote for the Best in Business Travel, do I choose those providers who were doing a great job before the pandemic, or the ones who have really picked up the ball since?<\/p>\n

However, the present circumstances are not so very different from crises in the past, and the way the top performers are responding is much as they always have responded to challenges. In fact, there\u2019s no better time for the stars of travel to shine than when they are put to the test. When the gauntlet is thrown down, it\u2019s these industry leaders who pick it up and respond with creativity and drive. That\u2019s the hallmark of the Best in Business Travel Award winners.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s the kind of innovative thinking we find throughout this year\u2019s selections. As always, the categories include the best in class in global travel, the best airlines and business hotel chains by regions, as well as the best meetings destinations, car rental, leisure experiences, services and products. A total of 54 categories in all \u2013 representing an increase of eight new categories over last year\u2019s awards. We see this broadening interest as good omen for the future of travel, as more of our readers explore ways to enrich their travel experiences. Again this year, the lists include the top three vote-getters in each category, highlighting both winners and finalists.<\/p>\n

Since 1988, Business Traveler has been asking our readers to cast their votes for who does travel better than anybody else in the world. Today, in a year of almost unimaginable tumult, the 2020 Best in Business Travel Awards are sounding a powerful note of confidence in the future of this industry, and in the ability of its leading companies to rise above all the challenges and changes this crisis \u2013 or any other \u2013 can produce, and provide the best of the best the world of travel has to offer.<\/p>\n

AIRLINES<\/h3>\n
Best in Global Travel<\/h5>\n

\"SingaporeBest Overall Airline in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nQatar Airways
\nEmirates<\/p>\n

Best Airline in the World for International Travel<\/em>
\nWinner
\nEtihad Airways<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nSingapore Airlines
\nDelta Air Lines<\/p>\n

Best Airline Alliance<\/em>
\nWinner
\noneworld<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nStar Alliance
\nSkyTeam<\/p>\n

Airline with Best First Class Service in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nEmirates
\nEtihad Airways<\/p>\n

Airline with Best Business Class Service in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nQatar Airways
\nEmirates<\/p>\n

Airline with Best Premium Economy Service in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nCathay Pacific Airways
\nAir Canada<\/p>\n

\"Delta<\/p>\n

Airline with Best Economy Class Service in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nDelta Air Lines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nSingapore Airlines
\nTurkish Airlines<\/p>\n

Best Airline Cuisine in Business Class<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDelta Air Lines
\nQatar Airways<\/p>\n

Best Overall Inflight Experience in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDelta Air Lines
\nQatar Airways<\/p>\n

Airline with Best Overall Customer Service<\/em>
\nWinner
\nDelta Air Lines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nSingapore Airlines
\nSouthwest Airlines<\/p>\n

Best Airline Corporate Program<\/em>
\nWinner
\nTurkish Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDelta Air Lines
\nAlaska Airlines\/Virgin America<\/p>\n

Best Airlines By Region<\/h5>\n

\"AirBest North American Airline for International Travel<\/em>
\nWinner
\nAir Canada<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDelta Air Lines
\nUnited Airlines<\/p>\n

Best Airline for North American Travel<\/em>
\nWinner
\nJetBlue<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDelta Air Lines
\nAlaska Airlines\/Virgin America<\/p>\n

Best Airline in Africa<\/em>
\nWinner
\nEthiopian Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nSouth African Airways
\nKenya Airways<\/p>\n

Best Airline in Asia<\/em>
\nWinner
\nCathay Pacific Airways<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nSingapore Airlines
\nEVA Air<\/p>\n

\"EmiratesBest Airline in the Middle East<\/em>
\nWinner
\nEmirates<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nQatar Airways
\nEtihad Airways<\/p>\n

Best Airline in South\/Latin America<\/em>
\nWinner
\nLATAM<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nAvianca
\nAerolineas Argentinas<\/p>\n

Best Airline in Western Europe<\/em>
\nWinner
\nBritish Airways<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nKLM Royal Dutch Airlines
\nLufthansa<\/p>\n

Best Airline in Central & Eastern Europe<\/em>
\nWinner
\nLOT Polish Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nTurkish Airlines
\nLufthansa<\/p>\n

Best Air Travel Experience<\/h5>\n

\"UnitedBest North American Airline for Business Class Service<\/em>
\nWinner
\nUnited Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDelta Air Lines
\nAmerican Airlines<\/p>\n

Best North American Airline for Premium Economy Service<\/em>
\nWinner
\nDelta Air Lines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nUnited Airlines
\nAmerican Airlines<\/p>\n

Best Business Class to Africa<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSouth African Airways<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nQatar Airways
\nTurkish Airlines<\/p>\n

Best Business Class to Asia<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Airlines<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nCathay Pacific Airways
\nKorean Air<\/p>\n

\"BritishBest Business Class to Western Europe<\/em>
\nWinner
\nBritish Airways<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nLufthansa
\nKLM Royal Dutch Airlines<\/p>\n

Best Business Class to Central and Eastern Europe<\/em>
\nWinner
\nLufthansa<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nTurkish Airlines
\nKLM Royal Dutch Airlines<\/p>\n

Best Business Class to the Middle East<\/em>
\nWinner
\nEmirates<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nQatar Airways
\nEtihad Airways<\/p>\n

Best Business Class to South\/Latin America<\/em>
\nWinner
\nLATAM<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDelta Air Lines
\nCOPA Panama<\/p>\n

Best Business Class to Australia\/New Zealand\/South Pacific<\/em>
\nWinner
\nQantas<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nAir New Zealand
\nSingapore Airlines<\/p>\n

Best North American Airline for Inflight Experience<\/em>
\nWinner
\nAir Canada<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nJetBlue
\nDelta Air Lines<\/p>\n

Best Airline for Transpacific Service<\/em>
\nWinner
\nCathay Pacific Airways<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nSingapore Airlines
\nANA (All Nippon Airways)<\/p>\n

Best Airlines for Transatlantic Service<\/em>
\nWinner
\nBritish Airways<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nVirgin Atlantic
\nLufthansa<\/p>\n

HOTELS<\/h3>\n
Best Hotel Experience<\/h5>\n

\"FourBest Luxury Hotel Brand<\/em>
\nWinner
\nFour Seasons Hotels and Resorts<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nThe Ritz-Carlton
\nThe Peninsula Hotels<\/p>\n

Best Boutique Hotel Brand<\/em>
\nWinner
\nKimpton Hotels & Restaurants<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nAutograph Collection Hotels
\nLeading Hotels of the World<\/p>\n

Best Business Hotel Brand in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nMarriott International<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nHilton Hotels and Resorts
\nIHG<\/p>\n

Best Hotels by Region<\/h5>\n

Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia<\/em>
\nWinner
\nShangri-La Hotels & Resorts<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nMandarin Oriental Hotel Group
\nThe Peninsula Hotels<\/p>\n

\"HiltonBest Business Hotel Brand in Europe<\/em>
\nWinner
\nHilton Hotels and Resorts<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nMarriott International
\nIHG<\/p>\n

Best Business Hotel Brand in the Middle East<\/em>
\nWinner
\nJumeirah Group<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nMarriott International
\nHyatt<\/p>\n

Best Business Hotel Brand in North America<\/em>
\nWinner
\nMarriott International<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nHilton Hotels and Resorts
\nHyatt<\/p>\n

Best Business Hotel Brand in South\/Latin America<\/em>
\nWinner
\nMarriott International<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nHyatt
\nIHG<\/p>\n

LOYALTY<\/h3>\n
Best Loyalty<\/h5>\n

Best Frequent Flyer Program<\/em>
\nWinner
\nDelta Air Lines \u2013 SkyMiles<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nUnited Airlines \u2013 MileagePlus
\nSouthwest \u2013 Rapid Rewards<\/p>\n

Best Hotel Loyalty Program<\/em>
\nWinner
\nMarriott Bonvoy<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nHilton Honors
\nWorld of Hyatt<\/p>\n

Best Credit Card Rewards Program<\/em>
\nWinner
\nAmerican Express<\/b>
\nFinalist
\nCapital One<\/p>\n

ON THE GROUND<\/h3>\n
Best Connections on the Ground<\/h5>\n

\"ARIA<\/p>\n

Best US Meeting Destination<\/em>
\nWinner
\nLas Vegas<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nNew York City
\nSan Diego<\/p>\n

Best International Meeting Destination<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSeoul<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nLondon
\nParis<\/p>\n

Best Airport in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSingapore Changi (SIN)<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nSeoul Incheon International (ICN)
\nAmsterdam Schiphol (AMS)<\/p>\n

\"IncheonAirport with Best Duty-Free Shopping<\/em>
\nWinner
\nSeoul Incheon International (ICN)<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nDubai International (DXB)
\nSingapore Changi (SIN)<\/p>\n

Best Car Rental Company in North America<\/em>
\nWinner
\nNational<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nHertz
\nAvis<\/p>\n

Best Car Rental Company in the World<\/em>
\nWinner
\nHertz<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nEnterprise
\nSixt<\/p>\n

Best Credit Card<\/em>
\nWinner
\nAmerican Express<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nChase Sapphire
\nVisa<\/p>\n

Best Travel App<\/em>
\nWinner
\nTrip Advisor<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nExpedia
\nKayak<\/p>\n

Best Luggage Brand<\/em>
\nWinner
\nTumi<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nTravel Pro
\nBriggs & Riley<\/p>\n

LEISURE<\/h3>\n
Best Leisure Experiences<\/h5>\n

\"cruiseBest Luxury Cruise Line<\/em>
\nWinner
\nCelebrity Cruises<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nRegent Seven Seas Cruises
\nCrystal Cruises<\/p>\n

Best Luxury Resort<\/em>
\nWinner
\nThe Brando (Tahiti)<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nTwo Farms (Vermont)
\nFour Seasons (Maldives)<\/p>\n

Best Golf Resort<\/em>
\nWinner
\nPebble Beach Golf Resort (US)<\/b>
\nFinalists
\nCape Wickham Links (Tasmania)
\nBandon Dunes \/ Trails Resort (US)<\/p>\n

Lets Go There<\/h2>\n

Best in Business Travel Award Winners provide vital leadership in the effort to inspire America\u2019s travelers<\/p>\n

The US Travel Association and an industrywide collaboration of 75 travel companies have launched a major advertising campaign, Let\u2019s Go There. The campaign is designed to encourage Americans to dream about, plan for and \u2013 eventually \u2013 return to traveling for both business and pleasure.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no coincidence that among the participants in the coalition are over a dozen winners or finalists in the 2020 Best of Business Travel Awards; it highlights once again the importance of the leadership, innovation and creative thinking these organizations bring, not only to their own businesses, but to the travel community globally. Let\u2019s Go There Coalition supporting organizations that have also been recognized by Business Traveler readers in this year\u2019s awards include:<\/p>\n