Features

Bloomberg Philanthropies is making a monumental impact on the future of healthcare with a $600 million gift aimed at supporting the endowments of four historically Black medical schools: Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. This funding, which is a component of the Greenwood Initiative, is intended to address systemic underinvestment in Black institutions and contribute to the diversification of the medical field...

American travel spending continues to surpass pre-pandemic levels, with international trips leading the trend, according to a new report from Bank of America. Although overall travel spending is slightly down from 2023, it remains 10.6% higher per household compared to 2019. International travel has emerged as a major area of growth, with 17% of Americans planning to vacation abroad in the next six months, an increase from pre-pandemic years...

Hilton has declared its intention to substantially broaden its luxury hotel portfolio in the Asia Pacific region, with the objective of surpassing 150 hotels in the near future. This growth will see the number of Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties more than double, with key signings in cities such as Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, and Jaipur...

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, has disclosed that the company's satellite internet service, Starlink, intends to provide free emergency services and access to cell phones worldwide. This initiative is a component of SpaceX's partnership with T-Mobile and is currently awaiting regulatory sanction from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)...

A new study titled "The Future is Now: Technological Transformation in Corporate Travel," published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and supported by Cvent, underscores the critical role of technology in revolutionizing the corporate travel industry. The report, based on surveys of business travel professionals in North America and Europe, reveals that while a majority of travel management companies (TMCs) and suppliers believe their organizations effectively utilize technology, there remains significant potential for further integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain...

JetBlue has introduced a new ongoing status matching program, "Match to Mosaic," offering elite travelers from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines a chance to experience the airline's Mosaic 1 or Mosaic 2 status. The program allows eligible travelers to enjoy the benefits of Mosaic status for three months, with the opportunity to extend it by earning additional tiles during this period...

Yelp is expanding its commitment to accessibility by introducing new searchable attributes that cater to the diverse needs of users with disabilities. These features, launched in collaboration with organizations like Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities, include attributes such as accessible parking, ADA-compliant restrooms, and ASL proficiency...

Royal Caribbean International revealed details about its latest Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, which was set to sail from Florida's Port Canaveral in August 2025. The ship, a sibling to the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, will carry 5,610 guests on seven-night Caribbean cruises, visiting destinations such as Basseterre, St. Kitts, Cozumel, Mexico, and San Juan, Puerto Rico...

Hilton has introduced Hilton for Luxury, an exclusive global program designed for top-performing luxury travel advisors (LTAs). This invitation-only initiative is tailored for advisors who specialize in booking high-end accommodations across Hilton’s esteemed luxury brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR, NoMad, and Signia by Hilton...

August is National Black Business Month, a reminder in which Black-owned enterprises in the United States and around the world are acknowledged and supported. Amazon, which generates more than 60% of its revenue from independent vendors, is capitalizing on this opportunity to underscore its ongoing dedication to Black entrepreneurs...