Marriott's Strategy, TripAdvisor’s Layoffs and Airlines’ EU Plea

Skift Daily Briefing Podcast

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Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, February 5, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Marriott has had its share of challenges recently, including a reorganization that saw it make a roughly 16% cut in corporate staffing at its Maryland headquarters. But the company also achieved record growth last year. CEO Anthony Capuano addressed Marriott’s strategy and more in a wide-ranging interview with Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill. 

Despite his extensive experience on the development side of the hotel industry, Capuano rejected the notion his primary focus is on property owners, stating his mission is to serve employees, guests, and owners. He added that one of his ambitions is to bring clarity to Marriott’s brand portfolio, noting the company’s efforts on that front are incomplete. 

Capuano also said Marriott is continuing its push beyond offering conventional hospitality, with the company recently launching safari experiences and a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, among other products.

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Next, Tripadvisor has laid off more than 150 employees and contractors, reports Executive Editor Dennis Schaal. 

The company announced the layoffs and firings in an all-hands meeting led by Tripadvisor President Kristen Dalton on Tuesday morning. Schaal reports the firings impact Brand Tripadvisor but not sister brands Viator and TheFork, adding that affected personnel worked in areas such as trip planning, reviews, and experiences.

Finally, European airline groups have called on the European Union to provide assistance in their quest to hit sustainability goals, writes Climate Reporter Darin Graham.

A coalition of airline groups known as Destination 2050 said at a meeting on Tuesday it wants assurances it will receive strong backing from European authorities. The coalition also asked the EU to recognize aviation as a “hard-to-abate sector” given the challenges the sector faces in cutting emissions. Destination 2050 pushed for more aggressive EU action to develop and scale up sustainable aviation fuel, calling for policies to lower costs and boost production.