2020 › September

From government bailouts to layoffs, commercial airlines have taken drastic measures to stay afloat since Covid-19. Not Ethiopian – now operating out of the second largest capacity airport in Africa, while turning a profit and forging ahead with further expansion plans beyond its new state-of-art, bio-safety terminal.

Digital nomads are welcome in Bermuda and San Diego. In a further reflection of how tourism marketing has changed, Singapore, too, is shifting gears and targeting locals, many of whom only think attractions in the city-state are only for the rich and privileged.

United expects to remain half its size till the end of next year, when CEO Scott Kirby thinks a vaccine will be widely available. But will it be in a position to respond quickly to demand if the company is forced to lay off tens of thousands of employees?

Talk about tough love. The CEO of Expedia Group, Peter Kern, is sticking with the tough line despite the pandemic by still demanding a significant reorganization and tech revamp for the online travel giant.

From addressing consumer fears to sustainability trends, the business of promoting tourism just got a lot harder.

The global pandemic still impacted Accor's recent corporate restructuring, whether the company sees it that way or not.

The pandemic has bewildered the airline software that pops out airfares based on historical data. But Alaska Airlines thinks new software will make it savvier.

While its competitors are struggling with the collapse in business-travel demand, JetBlue's focus on leisure travelers has been a source of (relative) strength. The airline is flouting conventional wisdom and expanding in its competitors' hubs.

There's an element of hopeful thinking from Keith Barr, who's adamant that China is proving there's life yet in the hotel sector.

Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel said the pandemic had no redeeming value. But his company will coincidentally be well-placed for the recovery thanks to the new consumer awareness of alternative lodging.