Marriott CEO: Travel Industry Must Respond to Growing Political Isolationism
Photo Credit: Travelers' voices cannot be ignored, said Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson this week. Pictured is Sorenson speaking at the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Bangkok on April 26. Flickr / World Travel & Tourism Council
Skift Take
For an industry that's historically averse to conflict, Sorenson's advice may be hard to put into action. But the industry will be complacent at its own peril.
Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson hasn't held back his opinions on the wave of anti-globalization and populist sentiments washing over the U.S. and Europe during the past year. This week he laid out two root causes of these attitudes and how the travel industry can respond with more than just words.
From the Brexit vote to the U.S. presidential election to a number of upcoming elections in Europe, Sorenson said he sees two primary concerns for the travel industry. "One, travelers are frightened," he said while speaking at the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Bangkok on April 26. "Terrorism and safety are concerns and they're real concerns and legitimate concerns.
"And number two, they are confused
