Skift Take

In our coronavirus-related stories this week, Skift covered Expedia Group's industry recovery plan, the United Airlines CEO's hopes to avoid bankruptcy, hotel rate negotiations with corporate travel agencies, and what 100,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S. means for the future of travel.

Throughout the week we are posting original stories night and day covering the impact of coronavirus by connecting the dots across the travel industry. Every weekend we will offer you a chance to read the most essential stories again in case you missed them earlier.

 

Expedia Launches a $275 Million Partner Recovery Plan That’s Very Different From Airbnb’s: Airbnb would have been eviscerated had it focused on a relief package for hosts that was primarily marketing credits. Expedia’s recovery plan for partners isn’t philanthropy, but although the company will likely take a revenue hit, it will benefit from increased partner engagement as the travel industry bounces back.

How Airlines Are Generating Revenue on Flights That Will Never Take Off: U.S airlines are selling a lot of flights they have no intention of operating. Consumers should beware.

New United Airlines CEO Says No To Bankruptcy and Mandating Blocked Middle Seats: Don’t expect United Airlines to file for bankruptcy on Scott Kirby’s watch. The company’s new CEO has some big opinions on the topic.

Expedia Shuts a Short-Term Rental Biz It Created From 2 Acquisitions: Expedia Group is trying to simplify its far-flung operations, and its multifamily, short-term rental business wasn’t a core endeavor. That’s especially true when you consider how Covid-19 has decimated demand for such properties in urban areas.

Why the LGBTQ Community May Be the First to Travel Again: The LGBTQ travel community has historically been very resilient after downturns in travel. There are early indications that the bounce-back after the pandemic may show a similar dynamic.

100,000 Americans Died. Did We Examine the Role of Travel In It?: We have to ask the hardest questions, and answer them, for the sake of hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens dead here in America and around the world — and the billions who are still alive.

Boutique Hotels Push Back on Major Chain Brand Conversion Tactics: Travelers may crave familiarity during the coronavirus recovery, but boutique hoteliers say familiarity can be achieved without making your property feel generic and sterile.

Hotels in Asia Find Locking Down Easier Than Unlocking: Though seasoned at crisis management, Asian hoteliers are writing the textbook on how to reopen hotels when the only certainty is occupancy and room rates will be low. So why unlock, or when and how?

Hotels Might Not Like Where Corporate Rate Discussions Are Heading: Hotel corporate program strategies aren’t straightforward at the best of times. A new “dual rate” pricing model could make lives easier for travel managers, but a lot more complex for the properties their employees will be checking in to.

Development Pipeline for New Hotels Throttles Ahead Remarkably to Record Highs — For Now: The U.S. hotel industry may already be inching into recovery territory while hotel construction has yet to begin a decline that could last years.

Who Decides When Employees Are Fit Enough to Travel Again — And How?: It will be a delicate operation, but with the right systems in place, health checks could prove effective in reassuring employees that it’s safe to get back out there.

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The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

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Tags: airlines, coronavirus, corporate travel, hotels

Photo credit: A Chinese traveler at an airport May 27, 2020. Expedia Group launch a recovery plan to stimulate travel demand. Zephyr_p / Adobe

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