2020 Archives

With raging new Covid cases across the country, this bleak travel number might actually be too high to help control the virus spread.

Domestic travel searches are on the rise, booking windows are getting shorter, and more travelers are dreaming and shopping than they are canceling or changing their trips – new Expedia Group data and consumer research offers clues on how travel companies can best connect with travelers right now.

We always want what we can't have: Investors may salivate over how ski resorts have performed over the span of the pandemic, but owners have little incentive to sell their durable assets.

In this Short-Term Rental and Outdoor Summit video, we hear from Graeme Hughes, senior vice president of sales at Visit Tucson, about how the city is fusing culture, wellness, gastronomy, and adaptable spaces to redefine its meetings and events offering.

Many border security agencies aren't ready to cope with a return to pre-pandemic levels of travel if they have to track additional pieces of information like traveler health. Blame the holdup on a debate about tactics and tech, not just budgetary shortfalls.

Steven Udvar-Házy started his career in aviation out of the trunk of his 1956 Oldsmobile while working as lifeguard in Los Angeles. Today, decades later, he has a unique view of his beloved industry. His prediction for airlines: Growth will be moderate for the next 18 to 24 months but airline travel will get back to be double GDP growth. "I don’t think there’s any way to really stop that."

Murals do a lot more than beautify cities — they help attract a significant number of visitors to certain destinations through tours dedicated to such artwork. And in this very tumultuous year, new murals are addressing issues that strike an emotional chord with people.

In Skift's top travel stories this week, we covered the Airbnb IPO from every angle. There were other stories, too, including Google launching new tools for destinations and hotels, a road warrior who's flown three dozen times since September, a property manager picking up Stay Alfred scraps.

Two blank-check outfits that will try to buy something in travel later debuted on the stock market this week. No Airbnb-style IPO pops, however, because no one knows what the acquirers might score in the travel sector.

You can't make this stuff up. Airbnb's payout to HotelTonight of 3.2 million shares didn't appear very attractive when Airbnb's business almost collapsed in the spring. On paper, though, it's all looking very good right now.