Airlines
PointsHound closes seed round as it offers airline miles for hotel stays
We love the idea of earning airline miles and occasionally hotel points for hotel stays. Is it a sustainable business, and can PointsHound attract the eyeballs to see it all through? These questions loom.
SkiftX
Mexico's future as a top ten global destination is in jeopardy
The headlines on border violence, cruise tours having trouble and other similar reports in media are not just sensationalist, there are real issues here that the country needs to address.
Business Travel
Is the stodgy Global Business Travel Association showing signs of life?
Bring it on, GBTA. Let your freak flag fly (apologies to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young).
SkiftX
Travel Wisconsin taps local celebrity director for summer video ads
Wisconsin has touted the participation of local celebrities in past video ads, but a more aggressive marketing campaign and increased funding are what will skyrocket recognition of the destination.
Airlines
American Airlines maps award flights so travelers can visualize redemptions
We might black out at the possibility, but we're in favor of almost anything that makes actually booking an award flight a reality.
Tourism
Argentina anticipates boost in travel to the papal homeland
The whole of Argentina could use the tourism boost, but Buenos Aires will see the biggest surge with religious travelers walking the steps of Pope Francisco’s childhood.
Airlines
KLM breaks the norm by selecting Dutch product designer for new business class
Staid aviation design varies very little between airlines, but is extremely different than the usual design project making this partnership one that both designer and client took a risk on.
Media and PR
INTERVIEW: Lonely Planet's new boss on the future of the travel brand
Lonely Planet deserves a partner that sees the brand's potential and isn't hampered by the layers of bureaucracy that came with BBC ownership.
Tourism
Dept. of Transportation auditing 10 large travel agencies on airline codeshare compliance
We don't know who these 10 agencies are, likely all offline ones. DoT has of late become a lot stricter on enforcing the decade-plus old rule, and with humans involved with travel agencies, enforcement becomes an issue.