Lebawit Lily Girma

Record lodging tax collections are rolling in for rural destinations in the West, which is good news. But only if those extra funds can also be used beyond marketing to mitigate the mounting negative impacts of overcrowding on the environment, on host communities and the tourism workforce.

Rural destinations that have benefitted from long-haul road trippers will want to prepare for the impact of higher gas prices on consumer behavior, on the cusp of busy spring and summer seasons.

Is the shoe now on the other foot? South Africa’s new tourism campaign push comes just as its industry begins to see green shoots of recovery ahead, in contrast to the uncertainty that now hangs over European destinations.

As a queer woman of color in the U.S. outdoor and tech space, Breanne Acio and her Sēkr app are making outdoor recreation more accessible through a community-driven listing of free campsites, plus a social platform. But she’s also aiming to end the "bro culture" in the outdoor travel industry.

This is good news for America's travel businesses that their largest industry body will lead on sustainability and push for the right policies to be in place to green the future of U.S. travel.

Speak up against the war and stop doing business with Russia as many firms already have. That's the message that Ivan Liptuga, president of the National Tourism Organization of Ukraine, has for the travel industry.

This once resilient group of travelers is unlikely to bounce back anytime soon after all the global sanctions. It's too early to determine the broader impact of the absence of Russian and Ukrainian tourists, but it will be felt — whether through the loss of revenue for seaside resorts or more broadly from a new cloud of uncertainty for travel.

Bold leadership is what destination marketers need to shake up complacency when it comes to DEI. Maybe, as Skift guest columnist Carol Cain said back in December, it's more about changing who's in the DMO driver's seat?

It's still an unpredictable road ahead for the major cruise lines eyeing the rebound of U.S. consumer confidence. Travel restrictions are indeed easing for its top region in demand, the Caribbean, and more cruisers are making plans. But they're also remaining cautious.

The repercussions of drawn-out, draconian Covid restrictions are clear. It will take time to strengthen Canadians' feelings about welcoming back international visitors, but also to rebuild consumer confidence in traveling to Canada.