Smart Travel: Worst airlines for lost luggage, new

Praying your luggage won’t get messed up during the transfer? A new consumer report on air travel reveals the airlines you might want to avoid. Planning a European B2B trip? A new partnership just launched in Italy might catch your attention. Are you excited about the new Princess Resort opening in Jamaica this week? The company just announced a major addition is coming soon. As always, Smart Travel provides you with the latest unmissable travel news.

Air Travel Consumer Reports ranks the best and worst airlines for baggage handling

A staggering 880,000 bags were mishandled by airlines between January and April this year, with 260,000 in August alone. While this may pale in comparison to the 41 million pieces of luggage that are transported each month, it’s no surprise to anyone who’s had a hard time finding that a carefully chosen outfit to wear to an important business event has disappeared anywhere but baggage claim. As anyone who has experienced extreme panic knows, focus on underperforming airlines. Here are the rankings published by the Ministry of Transport (numbers are mishandled bags per 100):

Worst Offenders:

Alaska Airlines 1.14%

American Airlines 1.03%

United Airlines: 0.75%

Spirit Airlines: 0.54%

Top performers:

Allegiant Airlines: 0.20%

Hawaiian Airlines: 0.31%

Southwest Airlines: 0.42%

Frontier Airlines and JetBlue Airways: 0.45%

InsureMyTrip.com has responded with five tips for avoiding mishandled luggage: fly direct, use a luggage tracker (such as AirTags), pack essentials in your carry-on, arrive early and check in on time, and Consider travel insurance to protect your luggage. When it comes to lost luggage.

Servantrip forms strategic partnership with WayPlans to enter Italian market

Servantrip, a leading B2B travel service platform, announced that it will enter the Italian market through cooperation with WayPlans, a travel agency B2B platform. WayPlans will gain access to Servantrip’s more than 750,000 activities and transfers, and Servantrip will benefit from incremental, hard-to-reach, real-time bookings through WayPlans’ network of more than 2,600 points of sale.

Read more: How to host a Brava meeting in Italy

“Partnering with Servantrip is a game-changer for our business and the Italian travel market,” said Angelo Mazzarelli, CEO of WayPlans. “By integrating Servantrip’s exceptional product portfolio, we are able to offer our customers the best possible experience, supported by cutting-edge technology and real-time availability.” Providing a wider range of unique travel experiences, this collaboration will undoubtedly enhance the value we provide to the network.”

Manuel Núñez, CEO of Servantrip, added: “The Italian market is dynamic, with highly professional tour operators and strong demand for tours, activities and transfers. This partnership is a great addition to This is an important milestone for us as we focus on delivering value to local operators and connecting them to our global network.”

Princess Resorts unveils plans for Jamaica’s first casino

The grand opening of the Jamaica Princess Hotel and the Mangrove Princess Hotel on December 12 also laid the foundation for Princess Resorts’ announcement that it will open Jamaica’s first casino in the fourth quarter of next year. Construction will include a trigeneration power plant and solar facility, which will significantly reduce energy consumption and be powered by natural gas, as well as a reverse osmosis facility for water treatment.

The casino will complement the properties of the Jamaica Princess Hotel (590 ocean view suites and several family suites and master suites) and the Mangrove Princess Hotel (401 ocean view suites and 14 villas with partially glass floors and infinity pools). The price is US$400 and the investment is 100 million yuan, with significant economic impact.

Marc Pelfort, regional director of sales and marketing for Jamaica Princess Hotels & Resorts, applauded the company’s focus on hiring local staff, saying: “Our team is at the heart of Jamaica Princess Hotels & Resorts and we are proud to employ local talent who work for us “Their unique perspective and passion for our services.” We don’t just build a resort; we build a resort. We are cultivating a culture of luxury and personalized service that takes every guest’s experience to new heights. “

Sandals Resorts launches ‘Made in the Caribbean’ global brand campaign

Sandals Resorts on Thursday launched a new global multimedia advertising campaign developed by Leo Burnett Agency. Paying homage to the company’s Caribbean roots, the campaign is titled “Made in the Caribbean” and debuts with a short film narrated by Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart and accompanied by a statement, which reads: “Together, we lead the way in pure Caribbean is an expression of brand direction that aims to inspire travelers through our deep love and genuine connection to the islands we call home.”

The omnichannel marketing campaign will begin on December 28 and include linear TV, digital, print, social and out-of-home advertising in key markets. In addition to the allure of the Caribbean, Sandals Resorts will focus on the differentiators of its all-inclusive offerings and emphasize its welcoming guest services, activities and accommodations.

“My family has called the Caribbean home for over six generations and no one knows or loves this region better than we do. We are the Caribbean. We believe the Caribbean connects us all; it is part of our soul, We want to share these unique experiences and joy with the world,” Stewart added.

Two ships arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, promising to revolutionize tourism

On Wednesday, the Taino Bay port of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic achieved a major milestone when two cruise ships docked simultaneously for the first time. While scenes like this are common in large ship destinations like Miami or Nassau, the incident marked a turning point for Puerto Plata and the region’s emergence as a key player in the Caribbean tourism landscape.

Two ships docked——Oceania Mermaid Cruises from Oceania and MSc Waterfront Cruises from MSC Cruises – bringing hundreds of passengers eager to explore Puerto Plata’s cultural and natural riches. The event was celebrated by the Dominican Ports Authority (Apordom), with its officials hailing the achievement as a testament to the port’s growing capabilities and its increasingly important role in attracting major cruise lines to the Dominican Republic.

Read more: Royal Caribbean launches new mega-cruise ship Utopia of the Seas, “World’s Biggest Weekend” cruise

The development comes as Puerto Plata steadily builds its reputation as a vibrant destination that combines historic charm, lush landscaping and pristine beaches. Officials and industry stakeholders consider this dual connection to be more than a logistical success, but a glimpse of the transformative potential of Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry. With Taino Bay now able to handle increasing cruise traffic, the country is positioning itself as the Caribbean’s premier tourist destination, ready to compete with the region’s historic cruise hubs.