Many heavy hitters in the travel industry were among the nearly 300 companies, organizations and local goverments that signed on to a brief filed with the Supreme Court yesterday calling for the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which forbids federal recognition of same-sex marriage, to be struck down as unconstitutional. The brief states: Although marriages are celebrated and recognized ... [Read]

In midtown Manhattan, the new Westin New York Grand Central is offering fitness enthusiasts the New Year, New You travel package that includes accommodations, free Wi-Fi, 4 p.m. checkout, Organic Avenue juice in-room amenity, complimentary use of New Balance sneakers and workout gear, and access to the hotel's 3,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art WestinWorkout Fitness Studio. This promotion is valid on Friday and ... [Read]

For U.S. LGBT travelers going abroad, the State Department wants you to know that it has your back. That was the message given Wednesday during the agency's first ever roundtable concerning LGBT gobal travel. "It is important for our LGBT citizens to travel safe and smart," said Janice L. Jacobs, assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, who provided welcoming ... [Read]

A steady drizzle on Tuesday didn't discourage the hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists in New Orleans from celebrating Mardi Gras. And if you heard reports of Liza, Lady Gaga or Rihanna being spotted during Mardi Gras, it's true that they were there. Well, sort of. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then these divas were being ... [Read]

American Airlines and US Airways yesterday released a joint statement announcing that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will combine to create the world's largest carrier. While the merger of the two airlines is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2013, according to the statment, ... [Read]