Plus, more travel news from the week.
This week in travel news: A software update glitch paralyzed industries around the world last week. Thousands of flights were canceled and delayed within the U.S. and Delta is still struggling to get back on track. Meanwhile, anti-tourism protests continue in Spain and Japan has broken records for the most visitors this year. In another part of Asia, protests have turned deadly, and some governments have issued travel warnings.
Related: What Caused the Worldwide IT Outage That Cancelled Thousands of Flights?
Delta Faces Continued Disruption
It’s been three days since a software update crashed systems around the world and brought services to a standstill. Delta, one of the major airlines affected by the glitch, is still reeling from its effects.
As we continue operational recovery, we apologize for the disruptions many customers are experiencing. Canceling a flight is always a last resort & not taken lightly. We take seriously the trust placed in us to deliver the reliability customers have come to expect from Delta. 1/8
— Delta (@Delta) July 21, 2024
The airline canceled more than 1,500 flights on Friday, nearly 3,000 over the weekend, and 700 in the early morning of Monday. The system update that halted healthcare, postal, and banking services across the globe affected Delta’s crew scheduling software and brought the airline to its knees.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has made it clear that the Department of Transportation will hold Delta accountable after hundreds of complaints about its customer service. “Delta must provide prompt refunds to consumers who choose not to take rebooking, free rebooking for those who do, and timely reimbursements for food and hotel stays to consumers affected by these delays and cancellations, as well as adequate customer service assistance.”
We have received reports of continued disruptions and unacceptable customer service conditions at Delta Air Lines, including hundreds of complaints filed with @USDOT.
I have made clear to Delta that we will hold them to all applicable passenger protections.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) July 22, 2024
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The agency boss had tweeted on July 20 that passengers are entitled to prompt refunds if their flights are canceled and if airlines refuse them, they should file a complaint.
I am hearing reports of some airlines only offering flight credits to passengers for cancelled flights. ⁰⁰Let me be clear — you are entitled to get your money back promptly if your flight is cancelled and you don’t take a rebooking.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) July 20, 2024
Seville Short-Term Rental Lockboxes Smeared With Poo
In Seville, things have taken a stinky turn. Lockboxes of short-term rental apartments are reportedly being smeared in poo in the Alameda neighborhood. These lockboxes are accessed by guests independently to unlock apartments using a code. Spanish newspaper ABC released an image of a lockbox with a combination code covered in dog poop, but suggested that it might be an isolated event.
An anti-tourist sentiment in Seville—also in other parts of Spain—has become undeniable. Chants to restrict tourism are being heard in Barcelona, where tourists were sprayed with water this month. In Mallorca, thousands took to the streets this weekend to express their anger over the housing crisis and overcrowding on the island.
Japan Welcomes 17.78 Million Tourists in Six Months
2024 has been busy for Japan as the Asian country welcomed 17.78 million foreign visitors in the first half of this year. The Japan National Tourism Organization said that the figure for tourists from January to June surpassed the previous record of 16.63 million tourists in 2019.
South Koreans, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Americans are making the most of the weaker yen during this tourism boom. The country also expects to break the annual record set in 2019 of 33.88 million visitors.
During the pandemic, the Asian nation kept its border closed and placed restrictions even as the world started opening up. Now it’s one of the nations that’s trying to handle an overflow of tourists. It has banned travelers from the Geisha district in Kyoto and a town close to Mount Fuji erected a wall to stop disruptions caused by tourists who come for the views.
Thailand Relaxes Visa Policies
Last month, Thailand scrapped the proposed tourist tax. Now it’s also changing its visa policies to invite more people and recover from the pandemic-brought economic crisis.
Thailand has expanded visa-free entry to 93 countries from the previous 57 countries to boost tourism. It is also trying to bring more expats with a five-year remote visa that allows people to stay for up to 180 days each year. In addition, students who get a bachelor’s degree or higher in the country can stay up to a year to find jobs.
The Land of Smiles is a big tourist magnet with its warm hospitality, pristine beaches, and luxury properties. But the recovery after COVID-19 has been slow. In 2023, it recorded 28 million arrivals, down from 39.8 million compared to 2019.
Travel Advisory to Bangladesh After Protests Turn Deadly
On July 20, the U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for Bangladesh, raising it to Level 4: Do Not Travel. “The Government of Bangladesh has declared a curfew throughout Bangladesh, ordering everyone to stay indoors. The Bangladeshi Army has been deployed throughout the country to reinforce the police. Telecommunications have been interrupted in Dhaka and across the country,” the advisory says.
Germany, India, and Singapore also followed with similar warnings about traveling to and within the country.
Over the last week, protests regarding reservation in government jobs turned deadly and more than 100 people have died. The government is cracking down on dissent by imposing curfews, detaining and attacking protestors, and blacking out all communications.