Running events for VIP speakers? American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) just made your life easier with a sleek new Guest T&E platform that rolls bookings, budgets and expenses into one tidy package. Connecting through Dallas? American Airlines’ new One Stop Security pilot means you can skip the baggage shuffle and cut connection times in half. Craving some eco-inspiration? Thailand is rallying 20 public and private partners to hit sustainable tourism goals by 2030.
Luxury travelers, take note—Emirates has unveiled its ultra-exclusive “Emirates First” check-in at DXB, complete with leather armchairs and marble finishes. And if a 2027 incentive is on your mind, Norwegian Cruise Line just dropped over 500 voyages worldwide, from private-island escapes to European city-hopping and glacier-filled Alaska adventures.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
Amex GBT Streamlines Non-Employee Travel with New Guest T&E Platform
Booking travel for interns, contractors or VIP speakers just got a lot less messy. Amex GBT has launched its new Guest Travel & Expense (T&E) platform, designed to simplify organizing trips for non-employees.
The platform rolls everything into one neat package: self-service profiles, bookings, virtual card payments, expense tracking and 24/7 support. Meeting profs can set budgets, create events and track expenses in real time, while guests enjoy the ability to self-book and breeze through the process without endless back-and-forth emails.
“For many companies, the guest travel and expense experience is complex and messy,” said Evan Konwiser, chief product and strategy officer at Amex GBT. “Our new Guest T&E platform solves for this by seamlessly integrating budgets, bookings and expenses with secure, flexible tech.”
The tool also boasts AI-powered receipt scanning and near real-time expense reporting. It is currently available through Amex GBT’s Neo and Egencia solutions.
American Airlines Pilots ‘One Stop Security,’ Cutting Connection Times in Half
International connections just got a major glow-up. American Airlines is now the first U.S. airline to pilot One Stop Security (OSS)—a streamlined process that lets travelers arriving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) clear U.S. Customs right at the arrival gate at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
No more baggage carousels or security lines. Checked bags are automatically transferred to connecting flights, allowing travelers to skip the usual claim-and-recheck shuffle. The program, developed in partnership with TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.K. Department for Transport, is designed to cut connection times by more than half.
“One Stop Security delivers a level of convenience and time-savings that’s never been available before to customers connecting from international flights,” said David Seymour, American’s chief operating officer.
Following a successful pilot in London earlier this year, the DFW rollout is just the beginning. American plans to expand OSS to additional routes and airports, giving travelers a smoother, faster way to make their next flight.
Thailand Unites for a Greener Tourism Future
Thailand is taking bold steps toward a sustainable tourism revolution. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and 20 public and private partners have signed a landmark Letter of Intent to push forward Sustainable Tourism Goals (STGs) by 2030.
“This is a defining step toward a more responsible, inclusive and future-ready Thai tourism industry,” said Sorawong Thienthong, Thailand’s minister of tourism and sports.
The coalition, spanning government agencies, hotel groups, retail giants and tourism associations, will work together to cut emissions, protect biodiversity and champion local communities while balancing economic growth. Efforts like the Thailand Green Plan 2030 and new sustainability certifications aim to upgrade 100 tourism sites and elevate hotels to greener standards over the next five years.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool summed it up best: “We are setting a course that prioritizes stewardship of our natural resources, genuine community benefit and long-term resilience.”
The move positions Thailand as a global leader in eco-conscious travel and a model for how destinations can align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Emirates Unveils ‘Emirates First’ Check-In Experience at DXB
Emirates has taken its first-class game to the next level with the official opening of ‘Emirates First’ at Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport (DXB), offering an ultra-luxurious, private check-in experience for first-class travelers and Skywards Platinum members.
The new space is a serene escape from the airport buzz, featuring plush seating, soft lighting, marble and wooden flooring, and a signature backlit Ghaf Tree—a nod to the UAE’s national tree. Guests are greeted by dedicated hosts and can check in from the comfort of leather armchairs, with family-friendly seating areas designed to make the process seamless.
“Our customers value privacy and convenience, and this is another level of hospitality that elevates their journey,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ deputy president and chief operations officer.
After breezing through security, travelers can head to Emirates’ renowned first-class lounges for chef-crafted dining, Champagne, spa treatments and concierge duty-free shopping before settling into Emirates’ oft-‘grammed in-flight experience.
The debut of ‘Emirates First’ follows a series of first-class upgrades, including curated wine storytelling menus, unlimited caviar served in Robert Welch bowls and artisan cheese boards.
Norwegian Cruise Line Drops 500+ Voyages for Summer 2027
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is giving planners something to daydream about with its just-announced spring and summer 2027 deployment—more than 500 voyages across 20 ships, calling at over 150 ports in 59 countries. Think seven-day European city-hopping, sun-soaked island escapes or Alaskan “coolcations” aboard ships built to showcase the great outdoors.
From April through October 2027, nearly every Caribbean and Bahamas sailing will include a stop at one of NCL’s resort-style private islands: Great Stirrup Cay (currently undergoing a major upgrade with a heated pool, new cabanas and a multi-ship pier) or Harvest Caye in Belize. Guests will also have their pick of short three-day getaways or longer adventures, with weekend departures designed to make planning a breeze.
Across the Atlantic, eight ships will cruise Europe with port-intensive itineraries and late-night departures in hot spots like Santorini and Ibiza. The lineup includes Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, plus intimate mid-size ships sailing to lesser-known Baltic gems such as Riga and Klaipeda.
Alaska remains a star of the season, with Norwegian Encore, Bliss, Joy and Jade offering seven-to-10-day journeys packed with glacier views, wildlife sightings, and optional land extensions like Denali National Park tours.
“It’s all about giving guests more of what they love—more freedom, more destinations and more unforgettable experiences,” said NCL President David J. Herrera.
With overnights in Istanbul, Reykjavik and Bermuda plus first-time calls like Dubrovnik and Split, NCL’s 2027 season is stacked with options for meeting profs looking to wow attendees.
