Matthew Parsons

Matthew covers the corporate travel sector, with his eye on the intersections of procurement, technology and culture. He was previously editor of Buying Business Travel, overseeing its transition to BTN Europe before becoming a Skifter. He lives in London with his young family, but as a self-confessed Francophile loves to hop across the channel for a taste of the good life.

Latest Stories

Business Travel

Why the UK’s New 14-Day Quarantine Rule Is Particularly Troubling to Business Travel Managers

Quarantine measures don't steady the nerves of already anxious corporate travel managers, who can now only hope for more bilateral agreements to help staff get flying again.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Business Travel

Travel Managers Will Lean More on Car Services and Even Buses in Early Recovery: Can They Deliver?

Ground transportation is often the weakest link in a travel program, but if suppliers ramp up their safety protocols in a similar way to the airline and hotel sectors, they'll play a pivotal role for those travel managers eager to rev their businesses back up.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Coronavirus

IHG Declares Recovery Already Here: Behind Some Optimistic Numbers

Going by InterContinental Hotels Group's first quarter earnings update, there's good news coming out of the U.S. and China. But how Europe, the Middle East, and Africa respond to coronavirus over the next quarter will be critical to keeping that optimism alive.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Skift Originals

Virtual Meetings Will Prompt Travel Budget Cuts — Exclusive Survey

This candid snapshot reveals how some corporations are already starting to rethink travel, and the shape of things to come.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Airlines

Southwest Moves Ahead of Schedule to Bring On Distribution Partners to Boost Corp Travel Bookings

It's a significant step since the launch of Southwest Business last year, designed to tap into the travel management community. Before the crisis, roughly a third of the airline’s traffic was corporate travel. This move could help it boost that market share.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Business Travel

Furloughed Corporate Travel Agents Receiving Training for New Roles for Recovery Mode

It's unclear how many travel companies are training staff on furlough, but with a potential uptick in travel in the coming months and complex bookings on the horizon, it could pay to get preparations in place.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Business Travel

The California Travel Agency That Is Staying Way Too Busy

California was ahead of the curve when it consolidated its travel program in 2010. That decision is paying off during the pandemic as it quickly reacted to housing at-risk healthcare workers, and its effectiveness may prompt other states to follow suit once the crisis passes.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Coronavirus

Oyo Will Offload More Money-Losing Hotels as Part of Global Retreat

The hotel startup grew at a fast rate, so it will likely scale back at a similarly rapid pace. The question is: What happens next to those Oyo-branded properties?

Aditi Shah and Anirban Sen, Reuters | 2 years ago

Business Travel

Hotels Using Virtual Tours to Woo Corp Travel Managers

Whether it's Zoom, FaceTime or VR, it's essential that hotels continue offering site visits to travel managers and meetings planners to plan for growth in the coming months.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Business Travel

Airlines Turn to Corp Travel Pitches After Securing Bailouts

Any future messaging will need to deliver on the promises, otherwise airlines risk losing loyalty in the long term.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago