Travelore News: Senators Want Limits On The Government’s Use Of Facial Recognition Technology For Airport Screening

A bipartisan group of senators is pushing for restrictions on the use of facial recognition technology by the Transportation Security Administration, saying they are concerned about travelers’ privacy and civil liberties.

In a letter on Thursday, the group of 14 lawmakers called on Senate leaders to use the upcoming reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration as a vehicle to limit TSA’s use of the technology so Congress can put in place some oversight.

“This technology poses significant threats to our privacy and civil liberties, and Congress should prohibit TSA’s development and deployment of facial recognition tools until rigorous congressional oversight occurs,” the senators wrote.

The effort, led by Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., John Kennedy, R-La., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan., “would halt facial recognition technology at security checkpoints, which has proven to improve security effectiveness, efficiency, and the passenger experience,” TSA said in a statement.

The technology is currently in use at 84 airports around the country and is planned to expand in the coming years to the roughly 430 covered by TSA.

The FAA reauthorization is one of the last must-pass bills of this Congress. The agency regulates airlines and aircraft manufacturers and manages the nation’s airspace.

TSA, which is part of the Homeland Security Department, has been rolling out the facial recognition technology at select airports in a pilot project. Travelers put their driver’s license into a slot that reads the card or they place their passport photo against a card reader. Then they look at a camera on a screen about the size of an iPad that captures their image and compares it to their ID. The technology is checking to make sure that travelers at the airport match the ID they present and that the identification is real. A TSA officer signs off on the screening.

The agency says the system improves accuracy of identity verification without slowing passenger speeds at checkpoints. The technology is not being used as a surveillance tool to compile a database or monitor people in and around the checkpoints, according to the TSA. It says the photos and IDs are deleted after the passenger goes through the checkpoint.

Passengers can opt out, although David Pekoske, the TSA administrator, said last year that eventually biometrics would be required because they are more effective and efficient. He gave no timeline.

Critics have raised questions about how the data is collected, who has access to it, and what happens if there is a hack. Privacy advocates are concerned about possible bias in the algorithms and say it is not clear enough to passengers that they do not have to submit to facial recognition.

“It is clear that we are at a critical juncture,” the senators wrote. “The scope of the government’s use of facial recognition on Americans will expand exponentially under TSA’s plans with little to no public discourse or congressional oversight.”

https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana

Travelore Tips: Southwest Airlines Launches Wanna Go Wednesdays For Last-Minute Deals

Southwest Airlines Co. is making Wednesdays a little more fun with "Wanna Go Wednesdays" for Customers looking to get away or book a last-minute trip. Starting today, May 1, Customers can visit Southwest.com each Wednesday to take advantage of the airline's low fares for their next getaway.

"Customers have a whole new reason to look forward to the weekdays. Wanna Go Wednesdays is a new weekly program that allows Customers to book the latest low fares on routes that are still available for last-minute bookings," said Jennifer Bridie, Vice President Marketing Communications & Strategy at Southwest Airlines. "We think this is a great way to highlight some spontaneous travel destinations at low fares for our Customers."

Sample fares and routes Customers can expect to see on Wednesday, May 1 are:

As low as $69 one-way nonstop between Las Vegas and Long Beach, Calif. As low as $89 one-way nonstop between Denver and Phoenix As low as $89 one-way nonstop between Dallas (Love Field) and New Orleans, As low as $109 one-way nonstop between Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Detroit As low as $109 one-way nonstop between Atlanta and Orlando

Visit Southwest.com each Wednesday for the latest low fares.

Visit Philadelphia Debuts "Common Threads" To Celebrate AAPI Heritage

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Visit Philadelphia has launched the latest installment in its In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union series, this time celebrating Philadelphia’s vibrant and diverse AAPI community.

Entitled “Common Threads,” the eight-part video series focuses on how participants celebrate and honor significant cultural holidays and family traditions. The first video showcases all of the interviewees, followed by seven videos highlighting individuals who identify as a member of one of the largest-represented AAPI cultural backgrounds in Philadelphia, according to Census data. Those include Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, Hawaiian and Japanese.

“With over 120,000 Philadelphians identifying as members of the AAPI community, this video series highlights the breadth and diversity of our city’s AAPI community and the various ways in which they keep their traditions and heritage alive in our city,” says Angela Val, president and CEO at Visit Philadelphia. “By featuring their stories alongside the neighborhoods and landmarks throughout Philadelphia that honor the AAPI community, we aim to ensure visitors and residents from all cultural backgrounds feel welcome and at home here.”

In each of the videos, participants speak to their own unique experiences, as well as the "common threads" uniting these diverse groups: family, traditions and finding a home in Philadelphia. Those sentiments inspired the namesake for this series.

Visit Philadelphia collaborated with local AAPI leaders and organizations, including the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, to identify participants for the videos, which were filmed at culturally significant neighborhoods and landmarks throughout Philadelphia. Each participant selected the filming location for their respective video.

Details for each video are as follows:

Kazumi Teune, executive director at Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, is seen at Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center speaking about the Cherry Blossom Festival. Teune identifies as Japanese.

Kiki Aranita, who identifies as Hawaiian and Chinese, is a chef, food writer and sauce entrepreneur. Her video was filmed at Herman’s Coffee, which carries her sauce products, and she discusses Lei Day.

Visit Philadelphia Director of Design Sindoor Shah, plus her husband Alok and their son Neev, who identify as Indian, discuss Holi while exploring the Festival of Colors at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Hospitality consultant Roland Bui, who identifies as Vietnamese, is filmed at Hung Vuong Market. In his interview, he explores Tết (Lunar New Year).

Travel blogger Samantha Elisabeth, who identifies as Chinese, is seen at the Chinatown Friendship Gate speaking about Lunar New Year.

Drag performer Yari, who identifies as Filipino, shares about Araw ng mga patay (All Saints’ Day) on set under the Philippine flag on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Digital creator David Wesolowski, who identifies as Korean, takes to Kimchi House to talk about Seollal (Lunar New Year).

“With nearly 50 ethnic groups and 100-plus languages represented in AAPI Heritage Month, we knew it would be a challenge to create a meaningful series that would resonate with such a wide audience,” said Neil Frauenglass, chief marketing officer at Visit Philadelphia. “But in all of our conversations and research, we were consistently reminded of the importance of traditions and celebrations for all members of the community. Our video series shows the birthplace of America as a welcoming destination that values and honors AAPI culture in May and all year long.”

The videos will roll out at a twice-per-week cadence throughout May on Visit Philadelphia’s Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube channels.

“Common Threads” serves as the fourth installment of In Pursuit of A More Perfect Union, a compelling series developed by Visit Philadelphia that showcases the city as the premier welcoming and inclusive destination in the U.S. Previous installments include Drag Queen Storytime at Independence Hall, Hispanic Voices and the Little Free(dom) Library.

As the official destination marketing organization for the city, Visit Philadelphia works to honor the nation’s history, while also acknowledging that the Founding Fathers’ vision of America does not reflect how many of our values have evolved over time.

To learn more about “Common Threads,” please visit visitphilly.com/commonthreads.

Jewish American Heritage Month Starts May 1st Combating Antisemitism

This May, Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) will celebrate the inspiring history of Jewish Americans, serving as an antidote to antisemitism by amplifying the true, joyful, and powerful stories of Jewish life in America.

Designated each May by Presidential Proclamation, JAHM is powered by Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman) and a national coalition of more than 200 cultural, educational, religious, advocacy organizations, museums, and library systems across the country.

“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity for organizations and people of all backgrounds to learn and celebrate the integral role Jewish Americans have played in shaping our nation over the past four centuries,” said the Weitzman’s president and CEO, Dr. Misha Galperin. “The awareness-building and normalizing of American Jews that happens through JAHM is critical in educating against antisemitism. We encourage individuals, families, communities, businesses, and institutions to join us in countering antisemitism through celebration, education, solidarity, and allyship.”

JAHM Engagement

The website JewishAmericanHeritage.org serves as JAHM’s central hub. Stories on the JAHM website offer learning opportunities about who Jews are and how they have shaped and been shaped by America across nearly four centuries.

Visitors to the site have access to a free electronic toolkit with fresh content and resources, including a resource guide, posters, and downloadable social posts. The hashtags #MyJAHM and #OurSharedHeritage drive social media users to post their own content about how they celebrate Jewish American heritage and culture.

Free Educational Offerings

Teachers can sign up for free professional development sessions to learn about bringing age-appropriate JAHM lessons into classrooms. Also available are free lesson plans, teaching ideas, reading lists, and more resources. Learn more and sign up here at: https://jewishamericanheritage.org/for-educators/#professional-development

JAHM Programming

JAHM 2024 will feature a series of its own signature events and will also highlight the work of its national community partners throughout May. Much of the programming will be presented in person and online in an effort to serve a broad, national audience.

May 1, 3 p.m. (ET): JAHM Across the Aisle – Bipartisan Discussion with Former Members of Congress

May 7: JAHM Congressional Luncheon; invitation only, open to the Press

May 15, 6 p.m. (ET): Jewish American Heritage Concert from the Nation’s Capital
L
ive on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and Live Streamed

Featuring Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars (Eastern European Ashkenazi music), Susana Behar (Sephardic music), Yosef Goldman and Yoni Battat (Mizrahi music from Yemen, Syria, and Iraq)

May 16, 6 p.m. (ET): “My Life in Recipes” by Joan Nathan Book Release in conversation with Mike Solomonov

Live at The Weitzman and Live Streamed

A new cookbook from the best-selling and award-winning author that uses recipes to look back at her life and family history

May 21: Ben Shneiderman in conversation with Sandee Brawarsky

Live Streamed

Shneiderman contributed to the creation of the hyperlink; the Museum currently has a web exhibition dedicated to his family’s outsized impact on 20th century communications and technology

JAHM’s History

JAHM began as an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders. Through the bi-partisan efforts of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and the late Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, JAHM was established in 2006 by President George W. Bush to honor the contributions and achievements of Jewish Americans and to educate all Americans. It’s been continued every year since then by Presidential Proclamation. Other notable milestones include the formation of a national advisory committee in 2007 to drive the effort forward; NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman, a New Jersey native and University of Pennsylvania graduate, carrying the original JAHM proclamation into space in 2010, and President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama hosting the first-ever White House reception in honor of JAHM that same year. In 2018, The Weitzman became the home of JAHM and now leads the nationwide effort.

Jewish American Heritage Month is made possible in part with support from The David Berg Foundation and these national partners, including the Recording Academy and American Association of School Librarians, which are new partners for 2024.

Visit JewishAmericanHeritage.org to learn more.

Hotel Matilda: The Premier Destination For Solo Travelers In San Miguel De Allende

Hotel Matilda, the leading boutique hotel in the heart of San Miguel de Allende's Centro Historico, is perfectly positioned as the ultimate sanctuary for solo travelers. With a vibe that is equal parts chic and eclectic. Hotel Matilda, voted the No. 1 Hotel in Mexico, offers a haven of comfort and luxury with easy access to all that San Miguel de Allende has to offer as it’s located on the famous street Aldama, one of the most photographed streets in Mexico.

A Solo Traveler's Oasis

For the intrepid solo traveler, Hotel Matilda is more than just a place to rest; itis a destination in itself. The hotel's contemporary design and artistic flair create its own lifestyle. Guests of Hotel Matilda are those who appreciate contemporary art, sophisticated accommodations, international gourmet dining, personalized spa experiences, and a central location.

Prime Location in the Heart of San Miguel de Allende

Speaking of location, Hotel Matilda's prime location places guests right in the center of the action. Just out the front door of the hotel, guests are within walking distance of San Miguel de Allende's main attractions. Think the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, the bustling Jardin Principal, and so much more. Solo travelers will find themselves at the epicenter of the vibrant city's cultural tapestry when they call Hotel Matilda home.

Unmatched Access

Solo travelers will appreciate the diversity and cultural opportunities that San Miguel de Allende has to offer. The city is rich with art, history, and culinary delights. Whether strolling through the charming cobblestone streets, exploring the city's art galleries, or savoring the menus at some of the best restaurants in Mexico, solo travelers at Hotel Matilda will find themselves perfectly positioned to immerse themselves in one of Mexico's top cities.

San Miguel de Allende’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a treasure trove of architectural gems. Solo travelers can wander through centuries-old churches, admire ornate facades, and discover hidden courtyards, all within walking distance of Hotel Matilda.

A culinary paradise, the city hums with a diverse array of dining options, serving everything from street tacos to upscale, haute cuisine. Solo travelers can perch up on a bar stool or admire the views from one of the many rooftop restaurants and bars across the city.

Beyond its bustling streets and lively atmosphere, San Miguel de Allende is a wonderful destination for tranquility and reflection. Solo travelers can find solace in the city's many parks and plazas, as well as walking trails in El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden.

San Miguel de Allende is one of the warmest and friendliest destinations in Mexico, as well. Solo travelers will feel welcomed with open arms, whether chatting with locals in the city, joining a cooking class, or meeting other travelers.

A Sanctuary of Comfort and Luxury

Of course, travelers don't have to go very far to enjoy the very best that Hotel Matilda has to offer. Solo travelers will check into one of the hotel's well-appointed rooms and suites for a serene escape, complete with plush amenities like Malin + Goetz bath products, Egyptian cotton sheets, and bathrooms with shower-tub combinations.

Solo travelers who like a little extra space can book the Owner's Suite A, with 570square feet of space. Amenities here include a private terrace, Pineda Covalin amenities, and a bar with a selection of top-shelf brands.

One of the core pillars of Hotel Matilda is its commitment to the arts. The hotel hosts a private collection of contemporary Latin art, with works by Angelo Musco, Diego Rivera, Luis Barra, Betsabee Romero, and many others. Art is afocal point of the property, with pieces on display throughout the hotel.

Creativity goes beyond what’s on the walls at Hotel Matilda and straight into its services for guests. On-site restaurant Moxi is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Vicente Torres, a veritable artist in his own right. He serves a menu that draws heavily from locally sourced ingredients and small producers. Foodies will want to book the Tasting Menu, a six-course masterpiece menu designed by Chef Torres.

After a day of exploration, solo travelers can indulge in Space, the hotel's legendary spa. Here, the specialties are influenced by five points of wellness: Energy, Focus, Recovery, Radiance, and Decompression. Book from a list of massages and facials, or explore one of the hotel's signature treatments, like its specialized HydraFacial Matilda, or a Lineal Treat body treatment that harnesses the power of Mezcal.

Perfectly Designed for Solo Travelers

For solo travelers seeking an unforgettable experience in San Miguel de Allende, Hotel Matilda stands out as the premier choice. With its prime location, unmatched access to the city's treasures, and commitment to excellence inhospitality, Hotel Matilda invites solo adventurers to embark on a journey of discovery and relaxation.

Experience the ultimate spa and wellness retreat this summer at Hotel Matilda in San Miguel de Allende. For more information and reservations, visit www.hotelmatilda.com.

Dubai Plans To Move Its Busy International Airport To A $35 Billion New Facility Within 10 Years

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state’s second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches “within the next 10 years” in a project worth nearly $35 billion, its ruler said Sunday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s announcement marks the latest chapter in the rebound of its long-haul carrier Emirates after the coronavirus pandemic grounded international travel. Plans have been on the books for years to move the operations of the airport known as DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central which had also been delayed by the repercussions of the sheikhdom’s 2009 economic crisis.

“We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn,” Sheikh Mohammed said in an online statement. “Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub and its new global center.”

The announcement included computer-rendered images of curving, white terminal reminiscent of the traditional Bedouin tents of the Arabian Peninsula. The airport will include five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, the announcement said. The airport now has just two runways, like Dubai International Airport.

The financial health of the carrier Emirates has served as a barometer for the aviation industry worldwide and the wider economic health of this city-state. Dubai and the airline rebounded quickly from the pandemic by pushing forward with tourism even as some countries more slowly came out of their pandemic crouch.

The number of passengers flying through DXB surged last year beyond its total for 2019 with 86.9 million passengers. Its 2019 annual traffic was 86.3 million passengers. The airport had 89.1 million passengers in 2018 — its busiest-ever year before the pandemic, while 66 million passengers passed through in 2022.

Earlier in February, Dubai announced its best-ever tourism numbers, saying it hosted 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023. Average hotel occupancy stood at around 77%. Its boom-and-bust real estate market remains on a hot streak, nearing all-time high valuations.

But as those passenger numbers skyrocketed, it again put new pressure on the capacity of DXB, which remains constrained on all sides by residential neighborhoods and two major highways.

Al Maktoum International Airport, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) away from DXB, opened in 2010 with one terminal. It served as a parking lot for Emirates’ double-decker Airbus A380s and other aircraft during the pandemic and slowly has come back to life with cargo and private flights in the time since. It also hosts the biennial Dubai Air Show and has a vast, empty desert in which to expand.

The announcement by Sheikh Mohammed noted Dubai’s plans to expand further south. Already, its nearby Expo 2020 site has been offering homes for buyers.

“As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow,” Dubai’s ruler said. “It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors.”

However, financial pressures have halted the move in the past. Dubai’s 2009 financial crisis, brought on by the Great Recession, forced Abu Dhabi to provide the city-state with a $20 billion bailout.

Meanwhile, the city-state is still trying to recover after the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the UAE, which disrupted flights and commerce for days

https://apnews.com/author/jon-gambrell

Southwest Airlines Is Considering Changes To Its Quirky Boarding And Seating Practices

Southwest Airlines is studying changes to its quirky boarding and seating policies as it searches for ways to raise more revenue.

Airline officials say they are studying possible changes but won’t have anything to announce until September. That tease is leading to speculation about whether Southwest might ditch some longstanding traditions, including the practice of passengers picking their own seats only after they board a plane.

CEO Robert Jordan says he is proud of Southwest’s “product,” but it was developed when flights weren’t as full as they are today, and customers’ preferences change over time, prompting the “deep dive” into “transformational options” in boarding and seating.

“Early indications, both for our customers and for Southwest, look pretty darn interesting,” he told analysts and reporters Thursday.

Every other major U.S. airline sells first- or business-class seats with more room and amenities. They assign seats long before passengers arrive at the airport. And increasingly, they charge extra if economy-class passengers want to pick a particular seat, such as one in an exit row or near the front of the cabin.

Those policies generate significant “ancillary revenue.” Delta Air Lines took in $4.4 billion in “premium products” during the first quarter.

Southwest doesn’t have a first-class cabin or assigned seats. Passengers line up in the gate area in an order determined partly by who checked in first and – increasingly – who paid extra to move up in line. The lucky or high-paying ones get in the “A” boarding group, followed by the middling “B” crowd and finally the dreaded “C” group, whose unfortunate inhabitants usually wind up in a middle seat, maybe in the back of the plane.

Over the years, Southwest customers learned to check in online exactly 24 hours before departure to get the best shot at grabbing the seat they wanted. In 2009, the airline began charging an extra fee — called EarlyBird — to move up in the boarding line. The fee starts at $15 per flight but goes up when planes are full.

Jordan said any changes must generate significant new revenue and can’t slow down flights. Beyond that, he was deliberately and repeatedly vague, but executives did indicate that two possible changes have been ruled out already.

Ryan Green, Southwest’s chief commercial officer, said the airline won’t impose baggage charges — it’s the only U.S. carrier that lets passenger check one or two bags for free. He said Southwest also won’t install curtains like those that separate premium cabins from the economy-class section on other airlines.

Savanthi Syth, an airlines analyst with Raymond James Financial, said the lack of assigned seating is “a huge pain point for passengers,” although a shrinking contingent still likes it. Syth thinks passengers would prefer the ability to select a seat in advance to trying to get a better spot in the boarding line.

“More importantly, I think it opens you up to a greater pool of passengers that would not consider (Southwest) because of the stress of the current process,” she said. “This is particularly important now that Southwest has lost the differentiation of no change or cancellations fees.” Southwest’s closest rivals dropped change fees too during the pandemic.

Syth is less convinced that Southwest needs a first-class cabin, but she thinks adding extra-legroom seats could be attractive. “There are plenty of tall people who could use the extra space,” she said.

Southwest executives are frequently asked about changes in their policies around baggage, seating and first-class cabins. At an industry conference in November, Jordan said there was nothing in the works.

What changed?

Southwest’s financial results have become more dismal. The company reported Thursday that it lost $231 million in the first quarter, which was worse than analysts expected and a wider loss than a year ago.

The Dallas-based airline faces sharply rising labor costs — up 19% or $462 million from a year ago, and that was before flight attendants ratified a new contract with sharply higher wages. Spending on maintenance and airport fees are rising by double-digit percentages. And Southwest can’t add as many flights as it would like because a production crisis at Boeing means there are fewer new planes.

The company is freezing hiring other than critical positions, and it will take the rare step of pulling out of four airports in August to cut costs. Even with revenue rising on strong travel demand, the airline needs more to offset inflation.

The airline promises that whatever it decides, it won’t change Southwest’s unique character. That could be a tricky balancing act in the view of its many loyal customers. They must wait out the next several months.

“We are committed to a set of new strategic initiatives. I have hinted at boarding and seating and the cabin, and we’re going to share those with you at investor day” in September, Jordan told analysts.

BY DAVID KOENIG, AP