- MONDAY'S TOP NEWS Open All
- summaryNaspers may buy India's RedBus booking service for $140 millionDigital
If done, this will be among the largest consumer Internet acquisitions in India's nascent digital sector, and show that building utility services that are layers on top of unorganized sectors matter more in countries like India, than flashy apps.
- summaryEgyptian outcry over new Luxor governor's ties to tourist massacreDestinations
This is not how you assure visitors that Egypt is once again open for business.
- summaryAirports look to holograms, not humans, to help visitorsTransport
Staff at airports have a reputation for being unhelpful, but holograms that don't interact with you only make matters worse. How about airports invest in people and management who understand customer service rather than gimmicky technology?
- Five travel startups attempt to commoditize spontaneityDigital
- summaryThe cost of Airbnb stays vs. hotel rooms in major U.S. marketsRooms
There's a clear financial benefit to the consumer when hosts don't have to pay the high costs associated with regulated transient housing.
- summarySpain and its citizens can’t afford the government’s obsession with high-speed railDestinations
The expensive building projects have proved to be unsustainable in a country where locals can’t afford fares and there aren’t enough tourists to fuel the lines alone.
- summaryIceland debates economic gains of whale tourism versus whale huntingDestinations
Studies that show animals are more valuable kept alive than killed for cuisine will help officials rationalize bans and controls that keep hunting of endangered animals to a minimum.
- summaryThe center of modern-day aviation sits in a rural field in PolandTransport
The concentration of flights in Europe and the northern hemisphere highlights which countries benefit the most from business and leisure travel and how much potential there still is for further connectivity.
- summaryMarriott launches “Travel Brilliantly” campaign to attract millennialsRooms
Marriott’s first major marketing attempt to attract customers, which are being wooed away by design hotels, has been criticized for being so different from Marriott’s branding that it feels like a lie.
- summaryTurkey’s struggling tourism sector hopes Ramadan brings visitor reboundDestinations
The future of Turkey’s vital tourism industry depends on the length and severity of current protests, which are slowly eating away at the country’s reputation as worldwide travel destination.
- ChinaOB Daily: Rise of Independent Chinese traveler, UK visits, France, Sri LankaDestinations
- summarySandy blamed for Atlantic City’s drop in visitors in early 2013Transport
Visitor flow slowed from January to April as the region rebuilt itself, in some cases from the ground up, and the state highlighted that work in a heavily funded ad campaign that boosted visitor numbers for Memorial Day.
- summaryBikes on Amtrak would boost New York tourism, say senatorsTransport
New York’s obsession with biking grows as senators look to capitalize on a new generation of CitiBike riders who may soon be interested in riding somewhere more scenic than Times Square.
- summaryHow Norwegian Cruise Line plans on leaving competitors in its wakeTransport
NCL's string of recent successes stands in sharp contrast to peers like Carnival, while also serving as a model of how you can be innovative and customer-centric without breaking the bank.
- summaryUnited CEO: Changes took place too fast and airline still has "a ways to go"Transport
The United-Continental merger can be viewed as a case study in integration miscues. US Airways-American Airlines: Are you taking notes?
- summaryTravelocity wins hotel-price fixing lawsuit skirmishDigital
Forcing plaintiffs to individually arbitrate their claims of hotel-price-fixing against Travelocity would sabotage the class-action lawsuit if the ruling stands up. There undoubtedly will be further developments in this case.
- summaryMeetings and conventions bookings sluggish compared with trips for vacationsDigital
Businesses are still being cautious about their travel budgets for meetings and conventions. The economic recovery is patchy, at best.
- summaryThe U.S. Gulf Coast cleanup is "done," but BP's tar balls still scare touristsDestinations
BP destroyed small businesses along the entire Gulf Coast and walked away with a slap on the wrist. Now the motels, casual restaurants, and other players who have little political pull will work hard to get visitors back despite the lingering issues.
- summaryJordan sees tourism numbers drop by 10% in first quarter of 2013Destinations
Jordan has focused promotional efforts on western journalists and travel bloggers, yet the nation has only seen numbers from those regions decline. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian travelers and other visitors from the region are picking up the slack.
- summaryBehind Gambia's tourism boom lies a brutal regime with human right abusesDestinations
Gambia is the new Tunisia for the sun-and-sand seeking European tourists, but like the former North African dictatorship, Gambia hides a brutal regime, even though it is supposedly a democracy.
- summaryHow long before this untouched Cambodian city is overrun with tourists?Destinations
Historic ruins discovered in Asia have little chance of remaining untouched by the millions of tourists that are crossing borders every day in search of authentic undiscovered gems.
- summaryCroatia makes tourism trade-off with upcoming EU membershipDestinations
EU membership will open Croatia’s borders to European residents, but also increase visa hassles for tourists from Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Its impact can already be felt with tourism from those markets already dropping 15 percent.
- summaryThe political squabble that's putting the Great Barrier Reef in jeopardyDestinations
Australian leaders do not appreciate having their management of the reef compared to that of a third-world or developing country. So perhaps they should stop giving UNESCO and others reason to draw these conclusions.
- TUESDAY'S TOP NEWS Open All
- summaryUnited Airlines Dreamliner diverted due to oil filter problemTransport
This latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner glitch may be a minor incident, but it comes at an untimely moment during the Paris Air Show, and after months of adverse publicity about the aircraft. Hey, at least the batteries seemed to work fine.
- summaryUnited joins Delta in adding spending requirements for elite frequent flyersTransport
United and Delta are catering to their respective elite frequent flyers, but the airlines are also ensuring that you have to spend certain minimums in order to get qualify.
- summaryFlorida's deep data dive highlights its most valuable touristsDestinations
Florida has little shot of actually becoming the world’s most visited destination, but its reputation, driven by family travel and theme parks, is on course to make significant gains in line with global tourism growth.
- summaryNairobi trying to shed "Nairobbery" image, starts walking toursDestinations
Walking tours of city lend themselves to making tourists slow down, take in the city and spend more time there. And as global consciousness rises on wanting more authentic human experiences, Nairobi has a potential chance of reinventing itself.
- summaryTravelocity sells off its corporate travel unit, focusing on consumer brandDigital
Travelocity has struggled in recent years, and the acquisition can be seen as a way for parent company Sabre to cash in on a strategic asset.
- summaryFoursquare's real value lies in building maps made of peopleDigital
A focus on people supports what we’ve argued is Foursquare’s best use case: a local discovery and recommendation engine. To know where and when your friends go makes Foursquare the most personalized searched engine out there.
- summaryNYC tests free mobile-charging stations at 25 spots this summerDestinations
What good are all those travel apps if you’re phone is dead?
- summarySaudi prince invites world's largest cities to bid for mile-high towerDestinations
An affinity for excess isn't limited to the Middle East these days, what with Australia planning a full-size replica of Beijing’s Forbidden City and New York looking to build the world’s largest Ferris wheel. The Saudi prince might have taker after all.
- summaryThe world's greatest sporting event highlights Brazil's development divideDestinations
The cost of making residents comfortable with moves is so minimal compared to what's being spent on the stadiums and being pocketed by construction conglomerates. In the end their greed may end up costing them more, and damaging Brazil's reputation as a desirable destination.
- summaryJapan removes short-stay visas for Malaysian touristsDestinations
Japan’s falling yen has attracted visitors and brought tourism to forefront of the country’s growth efforts. Removing barriers to entry, like the Malaysian short-stay via, will only fuel that growth.
- summaryAir Berlin pilots plan strike with goal of matching competitors' wagesTransport
Opening Berlin’s airport won’t solve all of Air Berlin’s problems, but it could boost profits and allow the low-cost airline to launch new routes. Despite the airline and airport’s demise, Berlin has become one of the most popular European destination.
- summaryRussian hotel-booking giant Ostrovok tries to find its footing after slashing staffDigital
Don't write off Ostrovok yet, but clearly the Russia hotel site faces some huge challenges from Booking.com and the nature of the Russian market.
- summaryThe next wave of Royal Baby travel souvenirs to hit the market soonDestinations
At least we will see some creativity in the UK and London travel souvenirs this way....
- ChinaOB Daily: London, Ireland, UK, South Africa, KoreaDestinations
- summaryThe next timeshare you purchase may come from an inmate in U.S. federal prisonRooms
Considering the reputation of both the hard-sell sales practices as well as how sales agents are treated in the timeshare industry, this arrangement seems like a poor match for everyone involved. Except, of course, the developer.
- summaryForeigners working summers in U.S. may be kicked out with new immigration billDestinations
U.S. regulators are focused on the short-term goal of increasing youth employment without looking at the long-term economic benefits of attracting visitors to spend summers in the U.S. Benefits include building a positive brand abroad, attracting peers of summer workers to visit, and encouraging future trips.
- summaryThrifty rescinds offer for free car rentalTransport
Major brands should honor pricing errors whenever possible to avoid the PR snafu of upsetting happy; El Al did this and turned a mistake into a brand boost that likely drove future profits.
- summaryHere's one way to lure Chinese visitors: Build a replica of Forbidden CityDestinations
This is Dubai-level crazy, and may just work. Australia and its regions have been the most aggressive in attracting Chinese tourists as other nationalities have stayed away for various reasons.
- summaryStudy finds passengers still love to hate airlines -- especially UnitedTransport
Passengers gave seat comfort especially low marks. What do you expect when leg room in couch gets increasingly cramped to accommodate lie-flat seats and other premium seats.
- summaryUK “super prisons” could see second life as 3,000-guest luxury hotelsRooms
The growing trend of turning prisons into boutique hotels exemplifies consumers’ desire for authentic or unique experiences as well as hoteliers’ appetite for differentiating themselves by pushing design boundaries.
- summaryHaiti looks to tourism to save island’s economy with new ad campaignDestinations
Haiti is pinning its economic growth on tourism and hopes its naturally attractive environment will attract visitors and provide the boost needed to get the nation back on its feet after the 2010 earthquake.
- summaryLary Ellison is making good on his promise to reinvent LanaiDestinations
Sometimes smart development comes through the hard work of building consensus across a community, state, or nation. And sometimes all you need is a benevolent dictator.
- summaryMauritius combats tourism lull caused by drop in European visitorsDestinations
Island nations are often the most dependent on tourism and a dip in visitor numbers reverberates throughout the entire economy.
- summaryAirlines search for answers to rising fuel costs at Paris Air ShowTransport
The most pressing concern for anyone involved in aviation is how the industry will move beyond rising fuel costs to find a more sustainable source of energy, something few jets on display will be able to offer.
- summaryCan iris scans help slash airline boarding times?Transport
During a week where U.S. and UK are obsessed with security and the government's ability to monitor it, it seems like an odd time to praise the 15- second benefits of eyeball scans.
- summaryEverest hikers take risk flying into world’s most dangerous airportTransport
The airport has claimed fewer deaths (~50) than Mount Everest (~240) making it the lesser of two risks, but the destination's precarious location provides few opportunities for increasing safety.
- WEDNESDAY'S TOP NEWS Open All
- summaryAA-US Air merger causes regulatory concern with reduced competition on 1,600 routesTransport
Regulators included connecting flights into their competition analysis, significantly increasing the impact of the proposed merger, and the airlines will likely have to make concessions to push the merger through.
- summaryTwitter buys local discovery app Spindle with plans to launch its own serviceDigital
Twitter is slowly building additional features into the main service, and this new acquisition means it will make its formal entry into a local-travel and discovery sector, and may give a run for the money to other larger startups like Foursquare.
- summaryThe meaning behind Portland, Maine's seemingly boring new brand campaignDestinations
Despite the meaningful backstory behind Portland’s new brand, it still fails to distinguish the city from its West Coast counterpart or give visitors a sense of the city without an understanding its history.
- ChinaOB Daily: Hotels prepare for Chinese visitors, worldwideDestinations
- summaryHundreds of religious tourists killed in India after landslide, thousands still strandedDestinations
Less than 20 percent of the Hindu pilgrims were evacuated with the majority still stranded and a state unsure of how to remedy the ongoing disaster.
- summaryThe rising costs of building a better hotel breakfast in the U.S. Rooms
European hotels have long conquered U.S. counterparts when it came to the breakfast spread, but the extra costs for warm meals and healthier options are now necessary to keep pace and satisfy customers in the U.S. market.
- summaryMobile boarding passes ramping up in Apple Passbook, Samsung Wallet and Google NowTransport
You see passengers here and there using mobile boarding passes at the airport these days, but their use is hardly omnipresent. That could change over the next few years, however, as mobile boarding passes become a staple of third-party apps.
- summaryPhilippines extends tourist visa to 6-month staysDestinations
Australia has attracted a huge number of tourists through its relatively open borders and long-stay visas. The Philippines could see an also influx of tourists looking for short-term work, which would ultimately boost the economy and country’s profile.
- summaryAmtrak's president says U.S. Congress won't pay for the rail it says it wantsDestinations
Making smart, regional connections is the smartest think for Amtrak to be doing, but politicians insist that the train line serve cities in their district for political reasons. Then they cut the funding. Meanwhile, Japan just announced a train that goes 300mph.
- summarySkift Q&A: Airlines and airports should be smarter about Wi-Fi and social mediaTransport
Free Wi-Fi on airlines makes a lot of sense. It should be viewed as a necessary utility. But, the Wi-Fi systems will have to improve because they can't handle bandwidth demands even now with so few passengers using the onboard Wi-Fi.
- summaryChinese billionaire invests $1.6 billion in London hotels and luxury yachtmakerDestinations
Chinese investments are following their tourists abroad and investing in luxury hotel brands, real estate, and even yacht companies with expectation for a quick return in popular travel destinations.
- summaryChina's new G2 generation will change global tourism once againDestinations
The rise of the G2 generation in China is what will lead to the next tsunami-size wave of global Chinese tourists, only these ones will be traveling independently outside of the groups, or free independent travelers (FIT) as industry lingo calls them.
- summaryBehold the most earnest travel press release of 2013: Swaziland TourismDestinations
Except for the slip up on English language, most tourism board press releases sound like this, just with more polish and sophistication. Can't make too much fun of it...
- summaryTripAdvisor acquires GateGuru, continues its consumer travel takeoverDigital
TripAdvisor is becoming such a full-service travel site -- everything but actual bookings so far. By combining GateGuru and SeatGuru, TripAdvisor will have some laudable assets to inform travelers about the airline and airport experience.
- summaryRoad warriors lament return of U.S. leisure travelersSkiftX
Business travelers are the only ones disappointed by the oncoming economic boost; U.S. airlines, hoteliers, and restaurants have been waiting more than five years for a rebound of this level.
- summaryFour key trends on Chinese tourists visiting Europe this summerDestinations
The effect of Chinese tourists coming into Europe will only increase over this year and years to come...
- summaryThe top innovators shaping the future of the events industry in U.S.Destinations
A great annual list from BizBash which honors the not-so-usual suspects in an industry that drives a huge amount of revenues directly into the hospitality and travel sector.
- summaryVladimir Putin stole a Super Bowl ring, and the Olympic rings, tooDestinations
While everyone expects this type of behavior in Putin's Russia, the taint of corruption that surrounds Olympic officials is something people accept. Even when they approve something as outlandish as a Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
- summaryThe new American Airlines will not see lift-off by mid-AugustTransport
At play in the merger is the shrinking service at smaller markets across the U.S. Although it's not all US Airways and American Air's fault, they're going to have to at least provide lip service to the issue.
- summaryRoad from Vermont to Quebec dotted with electric car charging stationsDestinations
The hope is that small-scale partnerships like Burlington and Montreal’s charging stations are only the beginning to larger projects that make eco-friendly transport as easy and inexpensive as today’s main transit options.
- summaryThe 20 most visited museums in the world: London, Paris & DC dominateDestinations
Museums are considered cultural institutions and often backed by nonprofit organizations, governments, or private families that open the collections as a public service rather than lucrative business venture.
- summaryLas Vegas sports stadium to become a reality with MGM at the helmDestinations
Sports might be the next stop in the evolution of Las Vegas’s tourism industry that’s moved between gambling, conferences, and entertainment throughout the years.
- summaryCarnival finally realizes it has a failure to communicate, hires PR vetTransport
Considering Carnival's past 18 months and the relatively PR-challenged boss Arison, this is likely the second worst job in travel PR. For that Frizzell can thank Ryanair for giving him a bit of a runway.
- summaryThere may be traffic ahead for Google's acquisition of Waze Digital
Google's Waze purchase will be scrutinized closely from a number of angles, but the most important one in the long run may likely be sceptical users wondering just what they're doing with all that data about their movements.
- summaryArgentina’s cash controls fuel unwanted tourism boom in South AmericaDestinations
South Americans are flocking to Argentina where bargains are easily found in exchange for foreign cash. Now all South American countries are taking efforts to curb the day trips and keep currencies within their respective borders.
- THURSDAY'S TOP NEWS Open All
- summaryEgypt tourism minister resigns over new Luxor governor’s terror linksDestinations
The tourism industry in Egypt in in shambles, and this furore will only make it worse.
- summaryParis plans to fix bad business manners with manual on tourist etiquetteDestinations
The booklet is available online in French and is in a basic look at the differences in habits and schedules of tourists from around the world from what time they eat to whether they travel in groups or pairs.
- summaryLibya battles reputation and security issues on road to tourism growthDestinations
Bourdain beat Reuters to laying out the state of Libyan tourism and showed viewers firsthand that below the stormy outlook are a people eager for change and hoping tourism will lead the way to economic growth.
- summaryCan Russian gamblers save Cyprus' tourism industry?Destinations
Creating a comfortable environment for Russian financial tourists helped create Cyprus' current problems, so it would appear to be a questionable decision to pin recovery hopes on a similar type of traveler.
- FRIDAY'S TOP NEWS Open All
- Best travel ads this week: From original Quebec to business in the U.S.Transport
- summaryVirgin Cars? Richard Branson makes move on Advantage rental-car businessTransport
It's an excellent, opportunistic move by Branson to make a bid the same week the very complacent car rental companies announced plans to boost rates on corporate customers.
- summaryQatar Airways rumored to take risk on Boeing's largest Dreamliner jetTransport
An endorsement from one of the Gulf superstars will weigh heavily in Boeing’s favor as the U.S. manufacturer continues to work out its rebound from the Dreamliner grounding earlier this year.
- summaryU.S. tourism businesses low on staff after changes to temporary work visaDestinations
Regulatory changes to the H-2B visas ultimately increased fares for U.S. and foreign workers, but the timing left business owners with little time to secure summer workers and factor in fare raises for the 2013 season.
- summaryFirst U.S. high-speed rail approved for construction in CaliforniaDestinations
Whether or not California will be able to deliver a real high-speed line is still to be determined, but this first step should get us closer to finding out if they can get the early stages right.
- summaryHeathrow's new Star Alliance hub dubbed "The Queen’s Terminal"Transport
What flyers and airlines really want is a runway and the absence of one has turned into a royal pain.
- summaryOrlando stands as most popular U.S. destination with 57 million visitors in 2012Destinations
It’s no coincidence that theme parks have also had a record year; however, Orlando’s deep-seated reputation as a family-friendly destination still stands at the root of its success.
- summaryJet Airways hires ex-CEO of Air New Zealand to navigate rising competitionTransport
India’s aviation sector is quickly evolving as foreign carriers claim their stake in the growing market place; Jet Airways needs someone experienced at partnerships and competition to keep its marketplace footing.
- summaryEmirates considers launching world's longest flightDestinations
Singapore previously held the record for the world’s longest flight at 19 hours, but cancelled the flights after fuel costs became too high; Emirates has a chance of making the ultra long-haul model work with more fuel-efficient jets and a wealthy clientele.
- summaryBritain to airlines: Don't fly NSA leaker Snowden to UKTransport
If only there was a travel app that could help you plan how to flee from one of the more powerful intelligence agencies.
- summaryFrance’s travel woes continue with country-wide rail strikeDestinations
Steer clear of Western Europe this week. The halt on air and train travel highlights a failure between the state and transportation companies to adequately negotiate before passing the burden on to locals and visitors alike.
- ChinaOB Daily: Fishing for Chinese, Auckland training, Jeju IslandsDestinations
- summaryThe future of U.S. tourism: China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia lead the wayDestinations
Airlines will make their own changes to meet this new demand from Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
- summaryInside New York City's eleven tourism Twitter accountsDestinations
NYC & Company is missing an opportunity to shine by leading the way to smarter social engagement for tourism marketing organizations. It could be among the first to turn streams into live information chats rather than static PR pushes.
- summaryCarnival Triumph returns to service at steeply discounted ratesTransport
The Carnival Triumph hangover has lasted longer than the cruise industry initially envisioned. Carnival's confident that lower fares will fill the ships, if not the cruise line's coffers.
- summaryThe board battle that's putting Morgans Hotel Group's future in questionRooms
The years since 2006 have not been kind, but Morgans has not done as well as its peers or competitors. With big egos, big brands, and big stakes, it's not real surprise.
- summaryDelta notches "solid" bookings for summer after a very soft springTransport
Delta's confidence about summer bookings is a nice counter-point to weakness across the airline industry in April and May.
- summaryBoeing plans larger Dreamliner and showdown with Airbus at Paris AirshowTransport
The competition between Boeing and Airbus will be the not-so-hidden subtext of the Paris Airshow next week.
- summaryEgypt is pushing tourism development in Suez -- because it worked in Istanbul?Destinations
Egypt sees the promise of tourism dollars as a bright brass ring, but Istanbul knows success comes with complications that could tear the city apart.
- summaryHow McDonald's and Dior are the key to one Macau casino mogul's successDestinations
Adelson merely zigged where Ho zagged: Carving out an empire in Macau gambling requires that you distinguish yourself in a brash way. That's something Sheldon knows that his Vegas counterpart Wynn doesn't.
- summaryHotel price hikes in Brazil run counter to its "zero tolerance" policyDestinations
Nothing for scaring off visitors before the big game like premature price gauging. But kudos to Brazil for calling out offenders before the big game arrives.
- WEEKEND'S TOP NEWS Open All
- summaryCelebrity's Galapagos cruise cancelled amidst fishy regulationsDestinations
This confusing scenario highlights a larger problem that’s stymied the industry for years -- laws and regulations are constantly changing onboard depending where a ship is at certain moment.
- summarySkiftDesign: Vintage airline bag tags as wall artTransport
Vintage airline tags blown up this size are a fascinating study in typography, iconic city branding and minimalistic modern design.
- summarySavannah surprised by its own steady and sustainable tourism growthDestinations
Savannah’s largest market of incoming visitors is comprised of day-trippers from cities that are driving distance away, but an increase in designer hotels and larger festivals and attractions has started to widen the city’s tourism base.
- summaryWaterfront cities plot ways to protect themselves from devastating floodsDestinations
The waterfront locations that have sustained each of these cities’ hugely profitable tourism industries and boosted local businesses, now threatens to kill off both with a single unmanageable flood.
- summaryVirgin America's CEO on the airline's shrewd move into Alaska marketTransport
There aren't many options out of Alaska, so catering to this market from its west coast hub is a smart move for Virgin.
- summarySanta Fe gets the jump on "Lone Ranger" tourism, hosts press junketDestinations
The movie may have been filmed in multiple locations, but the tourist board that puts the pieces together first can likely lay claim to ownership and haul in the visitors -- if the movie is successful, that is.
- summaryRoyal Caribbean readies for Asia demand to double with Hong Kong portDestinations
Expansion into Asia comes at a good time for the major cruise lines, several of which have suffered serious blows to their reputation in the U.S. and European markets over the past year.
- summaryEU rules against Ryanair in complaint against illegal Alitalia loanTransport
Ryanair is always on the lookout for shady practices by national carriers and the governments that keep them around. But even though the low-cost carrier has made a lot of noise over the years, the playing field isn't nearly as level as it would like to to be.
- summaryTripAdvisor promotes Jetsetter and kills its SniqueAway flash-sales brandDigital
TripAdvisor didn't buy Jetsetter to have it sit in the background, and the impending doom of SniqueAway is the logical next step.
- summaryTourists in Japan spend more on shopping than food and entertainment combinedDestinations
It’s difficult to gain much insight from the averages since visitor spending varies widely above and below the given number; however, the most notable finding is the near $100 spent on candy per tourist.
- summaryBrazilian protests over bus fare increases lead to violence in São PauloDestinations
The demonstrations regarding the fare hikes are part of a larger movement in which Brazilians protest the government’s high spending that is committed solely to preparation for the World Cup.
- summaryHotels partner with local attractions to build brand valueRooms
Hotels can expand their brand offerings and attract a larger customer set with very low investment by tapping into local resources to form relationships that ultimately serves all parties.
- summaryNew Hampshire resurrects earliest form of hotel promotion: Sheet musicDestinations
Hotels’ in-house bands and take-home sheet music have been replaced with iPod docks and Instagram updates, highlighting the ever-evolving impact technology has marketing and hospitality as a whole.
- summaryGettysburg anniversary sparks battle between rival re-enactment groupsDestinations
The contention between rival re-enactment groups is actually great for the city; it brings more attention to the 150th anniversary activities and lengthens the amount of time that visitors will have reason to stay.
- summaryThe Venetian skyscraper that may make the Italian city even worseDestinations
It's hard to imagine how Venice could be ruined more than it has been by rampant tourism, poor regulations, and a total lack of a local identity that's not in the service of selling luxury goods or kitschy mementos of a once great destination.
- summaryPassengers at Seattle airport facing security gridlockTransport
Just think how the security gridlock would have been exacerbated had the sequestration cuts been fully implemented. Still, things ain't pretty.
- summaryHow Portland will power its newest rail line without batteriesDestinations
The U.S. is years behind Europe and Asia when it comes to innovative rail programs, but leave it to Portland to te to catch p quickly.
- summaryBrazil's World Cup stadiums already looking to life after the 2014 tournamentDestinations
Both the World Cup and the Olympics always leave hosts with this problem, so Brazil's problem isn't exactly unique. And since it's shown a determination to be the southern hemisphere's leader, it's likely they'll figure out a way forward on their own.
- summaryThe 1995 Clinton speech that should have changed the U.S. travel industry, but didn'tDestinations
History matters, and context matters, especially when it comes to understanding why U.S. lost out on the global tourism front, and what policies (or lack of them) led to it. A speech that could have been seminal would be a good place to start understanding this.
- summaryAce Hotel partners with Converse to create a branded high-top sneakerRooms
Popular brands know no boundaries. Although fashion and luxury brands have crossed into the hotel industry, Ace is leading the way in smart brand expansion among a new generation of design and lifestyle hotels.
- summaryVacation home sales pick up in resort towns in sign of recovery's staying powerDestinations
The surge in vacation home sales in key resort communities bodes well for vacation rental companies such as HomeAway as buyers often purchase their homes as investments or at least rent them out for part of the year.
- summaryBrand new look unveiled at New York City's public beachesDestinations
Destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy provided the perfect opportunity to bring NYC’s outdoor spaces under a unified brand, which has the added benefit of highlighting the city’s presence far away from crowded streets and traffic jams.
- summaryHow Lufthansa's maintenance crews profit from low-cost airline competitorsTransport
Lufthansa's maintenance division can count on its low-cost rivals to want to avoid the type of costly investment running a large-scale maintenance team requires.
- summaryChannel Tunnel rail competition heats up with Deutsche Bahn entryDestinations
Authorities have found there is room for another rail company in the Channel Tunnel, and this will speed the ride for millions of incremental rail passengers.
- summaryScottish tourism bosses argue over existence of the Loch Ness monsterDestinations
The debate pits locals who believe it’s okay to embellish a myth to make a profit versus those who morally oppose the false promotion. In this case, it looks like those looking to make a dollar will ultimately win.
- summaryFastJet will skip South Africa domestic flights for now as it focuses on internationalTransport
Sometimes travel companies, including airlines, have to make hard choices, and FastJet sees longer-haul flights across Africa as its first priority. The plan is to get to domestic South Africa flights at a later juncture.
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