Fresh Prince of Business Travel and 9 Other Coronavirus Travel Stories This Week

Skift Take

In coronavirus-related stories this week, Skift covered actor Will Smith's favorite business travel startup, major airlines eliminating change fees, the seeming end of the ex-pat lifestyle, and how Sonesta took advantage of an IHG default.

The Fresh Prince of Corporate Travel: What prompted actor Will Smith to invest in travel tech startup TravelBank? And what can other companies learn from the way the company has handled the pandemic so far? Eye-Popping $137 Billion in Lost Revenue: New Skift Health Score of 100 Travel Companies: The month of August brought with it the ugliest earnings season the travel industry has ever seen. We knew the numbers would be rough, but now we can finally understand just how bad this year has been. The End of the Expat Lifestyle

Cruises

The Alaska Experiment That Could Reshape How Cruise Lines Navigate Wildlife

Alaska’s reputation as a bucket list cruise destination rests largely on its wildlife encounters, especially whale sightings. MSC Cruises is treating its first season in the region as a research opportunity, exploring how marine science can guide operations in high-density wildlife corridors.

MSC Cruises + Skift | 1 week ago

The U.S.’ Own Goal: Why World Cup Expectations Deflated

World Cup host cities were promised a once-in-a-generation tourism surge. The lift is real, but some cities’ results are well below expectations.

Bailey Schulz | 2 hours ago

Hotels

Why Hotel AI Keeps Cutting Costs Instead of Making Money

AI can't sell what hotel systems can't see. Until room-level data, guest behavior, and service pricing live in one connected system, the industry's AI gains will stay stuck on the cost efficiency side of the ledger.

Adriana Lee | 3 hours ago

Tourism

Canada Is Looking for a New Caribbean. Most Destinations Are Not Ready to Be Found

Canada's three winter sun standbys — the U.S., Cuba, and Mexico — are all in trouble at the same time. The Caribbean has never had a better opening. Most destinations are not ready to walk through it.

Oliver Martin and Emilie Ehrman | 3 hours ago

Airlines

Delta Expands Travel Benefits on Amex Cards, Holds Fees Steady

Delta is not hiking fees on its credit cards even as its competitors continue to increase annual fees and roll out premium travel credit cards in an increasingly saturated market.

Meghna Maharishi | 5 hours ago

First read is on us.

Get unlimited access with Skift Pro.

Unlock your next read

Fresh Prince of Business Travel and 9 Other Coronavirus Travel Stories This Week

Skift Take

Get unlimited access with Skift Pro.

BILLED ANNUALLY

BILLED MONTHLY

Unlock your next read

First read is on us.

Skift Take

Share