Travel-On Travel Industry News
Friday, May 18, 2012
Events We're Watching

Egypt - Civil Unrest Likely to Continue

Egypt continues to experience frequent bouts of violent civil unrest as the country prepares for the transition to civilian-led rule at the end of June 2012. Protests against the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the country's interim military government, are a near-daily occurrence, with the largest demonstrations typically occurring on Friday afternoons after Islamic prayers. A number of protests have turned violent, with protesters and security forces occasionally engaging in street battles, which may rage for several days in a row. The country will hold presidential elections May 23-24, with a possible run-off round scheduled for June 16-17 if no single candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote. SCAF has promised to cede power to the new civilian president on June 30, therefore marking the formal transition from military rule to civilian governance. Protests are likely to escalate in the run-up to elections as well as in the period immediately following the vote, and may turn violent if losing candidates allege electoral fraud. Protests are typically largest in Cairo (Tahrir Square and the nearby Interior Ministry complex, the Radio and Television Union Building, and the Ministry of Defense Headquarters building in Abbasseya) and Alexandria (Qaed Ibrahim Mosque, Northern Military Zone Headquarters in Sidi Gaber, the Alexandria Security Directorate building in Smouha).

India - Air India Implements Contingency Plan as Pilot Strike Continues

Air India implemented a new contingency plan May 16 that allows the airline to avert cancellation of many European and North American-bound flights. Approximately 300 pilots have engaged in an unofficial strike since May 7, despite an order from the Delhi High Court to return to work. The strike has prompted the cancellation of dozens of flights, especially on long-haul international routes. Air India said only one such flight was canceled May 16 and operations are forecast to stabilize in the coming days.

United States - NATO Summit to Take Place May 20-21 in Chicago

  • The 2012 NATO Summit will be held in Chicago, Ill., May 20-21. Leaders from more than 50 nations are projected to attend, as well as representatives from the EU and UN. The event will take place at McCormick Place on S. Indiana Avenue and is closed to the public. Security will be elevated in the area, and traffic disruptions are highly likely due to protests and occasional road closures for motorcades. Other tentative event sites include Soldier Field and Gary Comer Youth Center, Symphony Center, Field Museum, and Navy Pier.
  • Airport delays are possible at Chicago's Midway International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport as delegates and participants arrive and depart. Increased security is likely, and additional time may be needed for security screening, baggage claims, and customs processing. Due to the high volume of travelers May 19-22, transportation to and from airports will be in high demand. Consequently, ground transportation may take longer than anticipated.
  • Hotels hosting delegates will have heightened security. These hotels include, but are not limited to, the Fairmont Chicago, the Park Hyatt Chicago, the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, the Renaissance Blackstone Chicago, and the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.
  • There will be intermittent traffic delays and temporary closures on interstates and throughout the downtown area to allow motorcades to travel to and from McCormick Place and other event sites.
  • Various groups, including Occupy Chicago, Coalition against NATO/G8 (CANG8), and ANSWER Coalition are planning to protest in Chicago in the week leading up to and during the summit. Officials have granted permits for events from May 18-20; however, spontaneous protests might also occur.

Russian Visa Outsourcing

Effective last week, the Russian Embassy completed the process of outsourcing its visa processing facilities to a third-party company in the US. As with other countries, when a new process is implemented, the initial stages are often very challenging. Applicants are experiencing longer processing times, changing requirements and some additional processing delays. To minimize delays, applicants are advised to submit as soon as the need is known, use the latest available application forms, and ensure that all information is complete and accurate.

Germany - 'Blockupy' to Stage Mass Protest in Frankfurt

Anti-austerity activists and protesters supporting the 'Occupy' and 'Blockupy' movements are planning a mass protest action on May 19. The event will begin at 1200 on Baseler Platz, by the main train station, and will proceed to Willy-Brandt-Platz. The Willy-Brandt-Platz metro station (U-Bahn) and Taunusanlage regional train (S-Bahn) station will remain closed until May 20. Bus lines in the financial district are suspended, and many streets will be closed to vehicles until May 20 as well.

There has been an extension of the retroactive credit deadline for enrollment in the new United PerksPlus program.

Enrollment must now be completed by June 15th, 2012. Read more
Q and A

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is one that allows the traveler to go to any of the 25 European countries that are a party to the Schengen Agreement without needing separate documentation for each. Citizens of the U.S., as well as a number of other countries, are not required to have a visa to visit these countries for purposes of business or tourism provided their stay does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. If your travel plans fall outside of these parameters and include travel to more than one of the member nations, you may apply for a Schengen visa. To get one you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months past the limit of the visa, 2 passport style photos, a completed application, and proof of travel insurance. The country where you will be spending the most time will be the one to take your application and issue the visa.

Please contact your Travel-On agent for additional information and assistance.

Click here to take advantage of Travel-On's 25% discount on processing fees for passport and visa services.

  • Many Italian towns and cities have "day hotels" located near railway stations where guests can get a haircut, have clothes cleaned and shoes shined, take a bath, and grab a nap.
  • The world's largest single-brand hotel chain in Best Western International with more than 4,200 independently owned hotels offering more than 315,000 guest rooms.
  • Holiday Inns lose an estimated 590,000 towels a year to theft.
  • Conrad Hilton bought his first hotel, the Mobley, in Cisco, Texas, in 1919.
  • Opened in 1925, the world's first motel was the Milestone Mo-Tel, situated in San Luis Obispo, California, as a convenient stopping point in the journey between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
  • Holiday Inns took their name from the Bing Crosby movie of the same name.