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As of today, travelers are supposed to have REAL ID compliant identification to travel by air, but Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a congressional committee that passengers without correct identification will still be allowed to fly. They "may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step," Noem said, adding: "We will make sure it's as seamless as possible."
Full Story: Axios (5/6), The Associated Press (5/6), The Hill (5/7)
D.C. saw record travel in 2024, fears downturn
A record-breaking 27.2 million visitors visited Washington, D.C., in 2024, shattering the previous year's high by 1.25 million while spending $11.4 billion, generating $2.3 billion in tax revenue and supporting more than 111,500 jobs, Destination DC announced at a news conference at Nationals Park with Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman, but tourism officials are worried that a decrease in international visitors will persist.
Full Story: DC News Now (Washington, D.C.) (5/6), WUSA-TV (Washington, D.C.) (5/6), Axios (5/6) Companies are cutting travel budgets in the face of economic uncertainty, with US corporate travel bookings declining and international trips deterred by stricter US border scrutiny. Business travel budgets are "a lever that can be pulled back very quickly, and it's one to use when there's uncertainty," said Radhika Papandreou, president of North America at business-consulting firm Korn Ferry.
Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (5/7Ascend Collection, a Choice Hotels brand focusing on boutique properties, has surpassed 400 hotels worldwide, with more than 70 in the pipeline, and has unveiled a new logo. Choice reports a 44% growth in upscale and upper upscale rooms, now accounting for nearly 20% of the company's room portfolio with over 110,000 rooms.
Full Story: Yahoo (5/6) South Carolina's tourism industry has depended for a decade on the marketing firm 9Rooftops to run campaigns such as the Discover South Carolina BBQ Trail and the Ultimate Outsider campaign for state parks in a partnership with the state's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism that was recently extended through 2029 for $75 million. "We've found new avenues to reach different markets, used metrics to refine our audience and have evolved the messaging over the last decade," said Kevin Meany, president and CEO of 9Rooftops.
Full Story: The Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.) (tiered subscription model) (5/7) Airline passenger satisfaction has increased slightly between 2024 and 2025, according to JD Power's annual survey, which the company attributed to "a slight decline in both ticket prices and passenger volume, which has helped keep overall passenger satisfaction levels high."
Full Story: USA Today (5/7
