MULTIZ321
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Two Cities, One Fare: How Airline Stopover Programs Can Work for You
By Shivani Vora/ Travel/ The New York Times/ nytimes.com
"Carriers are offering free or discounted hotel rooms, meals and museum admission to passengers who want to spend some time in places they are connecting through.
Travelers increasingly can visit two destinations for the price of flying to one: several new airline stopover programs are trying to entice fliers to do that by offering appealing reasons to spend time in the city that they are connecting through.
George Hobica, an airline industry analyst, said that attractive stopover programs, created for destinations where the airline is based, are a growing trend. “Stopping in your connection city on the way to your final destination used to have an extra cost, but now, layovers are increasingly free and come with additional freebies for travelers like hotel stays,” he said.
Carriers are paying more attention to their stopover programs, Mr. Hobica said, because they help boost tourism in the country where the airline is based and increase the airline’s business at the same time. “Having good stopover programs generally don’t cost airlines a lot because they usually collaborate with local tourist boards and hotels to create them,” he said.
Stopover programs are most common among international carriers that fly long-haul routes and can be booked directly with the airline or through the travel agencies that fliers purchased tickets from...."
Porto, Portugal, is part of TAP Air Portugal's stopover program.CreditDaniel Rodrigues for The New York Times
Richard
By Shivani Vora/ Travel/ The New York Times/ nytimes.com
"Carriers are offering free or discounted hotel rooms, meals and museum admission to passengers who want to spend some time in places they are connecting through.
Travelers increasingly can visit two destinations for the price of flying to one: several new airline stopover programs are trying to entice fliers to do that by offering appealing reasons to spend time in the city that they are connecting through.
George Hobica, an airline industry analyst, said that attractive stopover programs, created for destinations where the airline is based, are a growing trend. “Stopping in your connection city on the way to your final destination used to have an extra cost, but now, layovers are increasingly free and come with additional freebies for travelers like hotel stays,” he said.
Carriers are paying more attention to their stopover programs, Mr. Hobica said, because they help boost tourism in the country where the airline is based and increase the airline’s business at the same time. “Having good stopover programs generally don’t cost airlines a lot because they usually collaborate with local tourist boards and hotels to create them,” he said.
Stopover programs are most common among international carriers that fly long-haul routes and can be booked directly with the airline or through the travel agencies that fliers purchased tickets from...."
Porto, Portugal, is part of TAP Air Portugal's stopover program.CreditDaniel Rodrigues for The New York Times
Richard