GOOD DAY, READERS.
Want to jump the U.S. visa line? It'll cost you, writes Global Tourism Reporter Bailey Schulz. The State Department is launching a pilot program July 1 that lets B-1 and B-2 visa applicants secure an interview within 10 business days — for $750. Tack on the standard $185 visa fee and you're looking at $935 total. The catch: paying up only gets you a faster appointment, not a guaranteed visa. The program runs through December 31, and the State Department expects roughly 26,000 applicants annually, generating about $19.3 million.
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For years, hotel brands have spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to convince travelers to book direct.
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Despite aggressive marketing campaigns from brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt, OTAs continue to capture a significant share of hotel bookings thanks to their convenience, reach, and consumer trust.
The conversation explores why direct booking remains one of the biggest strategic battles in hospitality and why hotels still haven't fully won it.
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