Tue, March 19, 2024

Travel

Consumer Stories

Augusta makes the “must-do” trip list for 2024

As 2023 winds down, the Georgia office that promotes economic development has released a list of the 12 best trips to plan for 2024. Explore Georgia, which is part of the state’s Department of Economic Development, released the list which is designed to give visitors a taste of all that Georgia has to offer. “We look forward to building on our momentum in tourism to welcome new and returning travelers across Georgia,” the news release stated. “With nine visitor information centers and a statewide team of partners and businesses working

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B2B Stories

How are you getting home for the holidays?

Editor’s note: I remember all the years I worked in television and would get off on a Friday night after the 11 p.m. news and drive to my mother and daddy’s farm in Tennessee. The holidays were especially magical because my three sisters and their families would be there to celebrate. It was a three-bedroom house with one bathroom. Cramped? A little. But, it really was and still is the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday travel rush has begun, whether you are heading to visit family by

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B2B Stories

Key Airport leader gets $11,000 raise; part of 2024 preps

Commissioners voted to stay the course for airport leadership into 2024. They approved a 5% pay raise for Judon, who currently earns just under $220,000 a year. It will begin in January, which is the start of his new contract. Members of the Augusta Aviation Commission held their final meeting of 2023 on Tuesday and laid the groundwork for the coming year. Commissioner, Randy Sasser had been tasked with surveying the board for recommendations to serve as chairman and vice chairman in 2024. The recommendation to have current Chairman, Dan

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B2B Stories

Hundreds of soldiers heading home for the holidays

Augusta Regional Airport was awash with Army BDUs as soldiers participated in the annual tradition of “Holiday Block Leave.” As Augusta’s largest employer, with roughly 30,000 military and civilian employees, this marks the beginning of the holidays for enlisted men and women. More than 4,500 soldiers participated in the departure. The Army anticipates more than 38,000 service members nationwide will travel home from posts across the country. “I’ve been looking forward to it the past 28 weeks that I’ve been in basic training. Then, I’ve been in AIT (Advanced Individual

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B2B Stories

Passport backlog jeopardizing travel plans for business and leisure

Summertime is traveling time and if you are venturing abroad, be aware there could be a big hitch in your plans. Whether traveling for business, pleasure, for students involved in international studies, or for church groups visiting other countries for ministry work, the new rules will apply. The standard passport renewal process, which typically takes a few weeks, can now take up to 13 weeks, not counting mail time which could add two or three more weeks. Even expedited service could take up to nine weeks. For a couple of

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B2B Stories

Local entrepreneurs to offer luxurious camping experiences

Growing up in small Georgia towns, Jana Murphy and Paige Williams loved camping, which is what inspired them to launch their own glamping business in a local small town. On Sunday, June 11, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Murphy and Williams will celebrate the grand opening of Untamed Honey Glampsites at Soap Creek Marina and Resort located at 3000 Soap Creek Lodge Road in Lincolnton. Glamping means glamorous camping, which, unlike traditional camping, resembles sleeping in a luxury hotel room with all the conveniences of home, such as beds,

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Consumer Stories

When a business owner needs a break

Many travelers are ready to disconnect from the constant distraction of their devices and get back to nature, especially business owners who stay connected 24/7. According to Booking.com, nearly 60% of travelers surveyed are looking for vacations that allow them to escape reality and totally unplug. More travelers than ever are ready to experience new cultures and experiences on their 2023 travels. Rather than kicking back at an all-inclusive resort, nearly three-quarters of U.S. travelers want to be pushed out of their comfort zone on their next trip, with many

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Consumer Stories

Augusta airport shares holiday travel tips

If you’re planning to fly the friendly skies this week, and you’re bringing Christmas gifts with you, you may want to wait until you arrive at your destination to wrap them, according to Lauren Smith. ABD spoke with Smith, Augusta Regional Airport’s assistant director of marketing and public relations, about travel tips for this holiday season. She said wrapped gifts can cause problems during screening by the Transportation Security Administration. “They suggest you don’t wrap them, but if you do, just be aware that you may have to unwrap them,”

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Consumer Stories

Cruise ship travel making a comeback

Business is finally starting to pick up for the hardest hit industry during covid. For more than a year, many cruise lines suspended operations and the entire travel industry came to a standstill. Ships were docked in ports, while others sat idle at sea. The losses were staggering for the major cruise lines. Even now, with an uptick in bookings, the biggest cruise lines are swimming in debt, including Carnival with losses of $35 billion, Royal Caribbean with a debt of $25 billion, and Norwegian owing $14 billion. But Brian

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Consumer Stories

Bus company partnership creates more direct routes for Augusta residents

Starting Monday, Augusta residents will have expanded travel options throughout the Southeast, thanks to a partnership between two large bus companies. Megabus and Atlanta-based Southeastern Stages have teamed up to create routes from the CSRA to 12 cities, such as Atlanta, Athens, Myrtle Beach, Madison and Raleigh. These routes will leave from four bus stops throughout the CSRA: Augusta, Thomson, Washington and Aiken. One of the stops is the Augusta Transit Center located at 1546 Broad St. The partnership has also created many new direct routes throughout Georgia, South Carolina

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