Have you been thinking about your next vacation? Maybe this year’s volatile winter weather has given you a little incentive to surf some websites for beach resorts and airfares to help you make your escape from all the frigid temperatures, floods or fires in exchange for a little calmer climate in the southern tier of the US? Or perhaps you want to spend Bastille Day in July in Paris or see the Northern Lights in Scandinavian in the Fall? If so, your plans should include a review of the government requirements to ensure you can depart and return home without any issues. 

If you plan to fly within the United States or visit any federal entities, you’ll want to apply for your Real ID soon since it will be needed for compliance to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. As of May 7, 2025, your regular driver’s license will not fulfill the criteria and you may not be granted access through TSA and some federal areas due to the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government set a standard for all states identification (DHS.gov, n.d.). Another thing to keep in mind is that REAL ID cards will not give you access into Canada, Mexico or other international travel, so a passport book or card will be needed. 

If you are already making your US travel plans, be sure to check out the guidelines for your home state so you can gather the documents needed for your Real ID and then make an appointment at your local DMV. The sooner the better, since it is likely that there will be longer than usual wait times the closer we get to May 2025. Check out this link for more details. 

If a trip across the Atlantic is on your calendar, then besides your passport, you’ll want to learn more about the New Travel Requirement for Europe. The European Travel Information and Authorization System, known as ETIAS (European Union Website, n.d.) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the 30 European countries listed according to the European Union website, so most Americans will need to apply (n.d.) It is a travel authorization linked to one’s passport, and valid for three years (European Union Website, n.d.) 

You should know that you will need to have some trip details handy such as lodging and duration, but the EU site suggests waiting to book to be sure you are approved (European Union Website, n.d.) Their recommendation is to apply at least three months prior to your trip and ensure the passport you use for your application has a minimum of three months left, although some countries have longer requirements (European Union Website, n.d.). Finally, the ETIAS which was set to start in early 2025 has been pushed back to later in the year, but if you are unsure, check out the European Union's website for complete details. 

Remember, it is up to you to have the correct government documentation, and you don’t want to ruin your trip because you were denied boarding, so plan ahead and enjoy your vacation!

Mimi Gough

Julie Dort

DHS.Gov (n.d.) Real ID https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqsEuropean Union Website (n.d.) New requirements to travel to Europe. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-etias_en

The NCAA tournaments have a major impact on the hospitality industry, particularly in host cities. Hotels experience a surge in bookings, often selling out months in advance, with rates increasing due to high demand. The Aloft Glendale at Westgate in the Westgate Entertainment District adjacent to State Farm Stadium costs $799 per night for an April 5-9 stay. In comparison, rates are $152 per night on April 13, the Saturday after the Final Four (Salerno, 2024). Restaurants and bars see higher foot traffic, extend hours, and introduce special menus and watch parties. March Madness, the annual men’s and women’s college basketball tournament to decide the national championship, can be a slam dunk for restaurateurs (Brandau, 2024). New research conducted by the National Restaurant Association said 20 percent of American adults expect to involve restaurants and bars in their March Madness plans this year (Brandau, 2024). Consumers surveyed said their top choices for watching games, which begin Tuesday evening, would be eateries that offer special-price deals, such as happy hour, 34 percent, and have the best selection of televisions, 25 percent (Brandau, 2024). Airports, rental car services, and ride-share companies benefit from increased travelers, while public transportation systems adjust to accommodate higher ridership. Local event venues and attractions also see a rise in visitors, and retail stores experience spikes in sales of sports merchandise. The tournament creates temporary job opportunities in the hospitality and service industries, including positions in hotels, restaurants, and event management. Many restaurants are having trouble hiring enough workers (Jackson et al., 2021). Hosting these events generates millions in revenue and can boost a city’s long-term tourism appeal. Big Box stores in the Omaha area experience increased sales of snacks, beverages, and fan gear as people prepare for watch parties.

The financial impact of March Madness is significant. Hosting the Men's Final Four can generate millions in economic activity, as seen in the 2022 tournament in New Orleans, which contributed approximately $203.8 million in new output and $62.4 million in earnings for Louisiana (Terrel & Thornton, 2022). First and Second Round host cities also see economic benefits; for example, Pittsburgh generated $10.5 million in revenue from hosting both men’s and women’s games (Restrepo, 2023). Nationally, March Madness brings in around $8.5 billion to participating cities (Author, 2023), with the NCAA generating $1.3 billion in revenue in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year (Kiernan, 2024). The tournament also fuels sports betting, with an estimated $15.5 billion wagered in a recent NCAA Tournament (2023 March madness wagering estimates, 2025). Additionally, the event impacts workplace productivity, with businesses experiencing an estimated $17.3 billion in corporate losses due to employees focusing on the games instead of work (Muhammad, 2024).

Julie Dort

Mimi Gough

References

2023 March madness wagering estimates. American Gaming Association. (2025, February 26). https://www.americangaming.org/resources/2023-march-madness-wagering estimates/ 

Author, G. (2023, March 8). March madness money: The financial impact of the NCAA. LAProgressive. https://www.laprogressive.com/sponsored/march-madness-money 

Brandau, M. (2024, November 20). Restaurants score during March madness. Nation’s Restaurant News. https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/restaurants-score-during-march-madness

Jackson, C., Burris, A., & Huang, B. (2021). Restaurants and bars struggle to hire ahead of NCAA March Madness Tournament. Restaurants and bars struggle to hire ahead of

NCAA March Madness tournament. https://eu.indystar.com/story/money/2021/03/17/indianapolis-restaurants-and-bars- struggle-march-madness-arriving/6954285002/

Kiernan, J. S. (2024, March 19). 2024 March madness stats & facts. WalletHub. https://wallethub.com/blog/march-madness-statistics/11016

Muhammad, J. (2024, March 22). March madness impacts workplace productivity. March Madness impacts workplace productivity.

https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/03/21/workplace-productivity- down-due-to-march-madness

Restrepo, A. (2023, March 11). The business of march madness: Economic impact on host cities, advertisers, and the NCAA. AS USA. https://en.as.com/ncaa/the-business-of-march-madness-economic-impact-on-host-cities-advertisers-and-the-ncaa-n/

Salerno, M. (2024, March 11). March madness 2024 final four hotel prices in Arizona are sky high. here’s what you’ll pay. The Arizona Republic. https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/2024/03/11/march-madness-2024-phoenix-hotel-availability/72842350007/

Terrel, D., & Thornton, J. (2022). The economic impact of the NCAA men’s basketball final ...The Economic Impact of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four on the Louisiana

Economy . https://www.lsu.edu/business/files/cebpr-files/final-four-report-2022.pdf