Q&A with Maria Angeles, Account Executive
What type of cultural experiences are you seeking in the upcoming year?
Tell us. Email us at [email protected].
India Overtakes China as World’s Most Populous Country
In the June 21 issue of eFlyer, we reported that India has officially become the world’s most populous country, surpassing China. We discussed the government’s plans to boost tourism through new projects and asked readers whether they had traveled to India and if they were excited to see India grow as a travel hub in Asia. One reader replied:
I am very excited to see India open to more tourism. Owning a luxury loungewear company, I travel in India frequently, alone and with friends. I feel many people are intrigued about traveling to India but are afraid to. When you first land in India, it is an assault on all of your senses. How you react to that determines your trip. Relax and let it take you over for an amazing time!
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The No. 1 question I am asked is, “Do they speak English?” Yes, they do. Many signs are in English, and in larger cities and tourist areas English is widely understood. In small villages you may encounter people who speak only the local language, so a basic phrasebook or local guide can be helpful. |
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My ultimate goal as an entrepreneur is to host a food and fabric tour of India, offering travelers an inside look at the country’s culture, cuisine and luxury textiles. I would be happy to host anyone interested in joining such a tour. |
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Namaste! |
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DENEACE MARTIN, VIA EMAIL United Airlines Suffers Nationwide Disruptions Due to Tech Issues In our Sept. 6 issue of eFlyer, we covered a technical glitch that caused thousands of United Airlines passengers to face delays and cancellations. We asked readers for their thoughts on airline and air traffic control outages over the past year. One reader responded: Just like any other technology system, personal or corporate, airline IT infrastructure is susceptible to glitches and failures. That’s why airlines maintain support teams to address and resolve issues when they arise. Nothing is perfect, especially when complex systems and millions of passengers are involved. |
One of the reasons these disruptions draw attention is their wide impact and the domino effect they create across travel networks.
Janet Whitman, via email
SWISS, Lufthansa to Drastically Expand in North America in 2024
In our Sept. 20 issue of eFlyer, we reported on SWISS and Lufthansa’s planned expansion in North America for 2024, announcing new and increased routes between European and North American cities. We asked readers which destinations they’d like to see served by these carriers. One reader wrote:
Thank you for highlighting the new routes from the Lufthansa Group. I’m based in Houston, where there is a significant community from Kerala, India. Currently, much of the traffic to Kerala (Kochi/Trivandrum) is handled by carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways when traveling from Europe and North America.
I would love to see the Lufthansa Group start service to Kochi, even on a trial basis. From conversations with many travelers from Houston, most prefer a European connection over a single nonstop 14-hour flight; they like breaking the journey into approximately two eight-hour legs through Europe.
Shankar Gopinath, via email
J’Aimeka Ferrell, CCO and Deputy General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Receives Best Airport Industry Leader at The Trazees 2023
At The Trazees in Dallas, J’Aimeka Ferrell accepted the Industry Leader Award for Best Airport Industry Leader. She commemorated the moment with a photo. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also received the award for Best Airport in North America for 2023.
What’s Happening on GT Blogs?
Updated daily, our blogs provide behind-the-scenes views of GT staff travels and experiences. Recent posts included a honeymoon along the French Riviera and Germany, a visit to a colorful farmers market, and a few football games. Staff members shared personal stories from a family trip to the Poconos and published interviews, including a conversation with a wellness specialist about the restorative benefits of travel.