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

Tourism

U.S. Faces Growing Pressure in D.C. to Ease Travel Restrictions

Despite leading the way with so many digital health passport trials, it's ironic that U.S. borders are mostly staying closed because of the uncertainty around tracking who's vaccinated.

Andrea Shalal, Reuters | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Newly Minted Danish Unicorn Ready to Ride Next Wave of Corp Travel Payments

Travel is coming back and there’s all-to-play-for vibe in the expenses market, but startup Pleo could overstretch itself.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 3 years ago

Tourism

Tourism-Dependent Thailand Sees Downgrade on Economy With New Covid Outbreaks

With its low vaccination rate, the last thing Thailand needs is a prolonged outbreak. With tourists shut out, the country's debts will rise and rise.

Orathai Sriring, Satawasin Staporncharnchai and Kitiphong Thaichareon, Reuters | 3 years ago

Tourism

Canada to Unvaccinated Tourists: It’s Going to Be a Long Wait

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is still exercising caution, perhaps too much. And a decision on when exactly the country will allow vaccinated foreign travelers in is well overdue.

Julie Gordon and Steve Scherer, Reuters | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Culture Coaches Being Hired to Help Remote Workers in Dispersed Locales

Yet another business risk that wasn’t really present before the pandemic: the challenge of bridging the gap between so many different nationalities.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 3 years ago

Online Travel

7 Travel Startups Kickstarted by the UK Government

Private equity flooded the travel industry during the pandemic, but many startups looked to the government’s Innovate UK arm, which continues to put millions of pounds on the table.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 3 years ago

Coronavirus

Carnival Corp. Cancels Australian Sailings Until December

The cruise lines will face a struggle to restart at scale, because there's a reputation to shake off, as well as rising cases to contend with.

Maria Ponnezhath, Reuters | 3 years ago

Tourism

Saudi Arabia to Invest $133 Billion to Become Major Airports and Transport Hub

The kingdom is making a bold statement, but then it needs to if it's serious about weaning itself of oil revenues over the next 10 years.

Marwa Rashad and Alexander Cornwell, Reuters | 3 years ago

Business Travel

TravelPerk’s Acquisition of a Rival Travel Agency Is Backed by This Secretive Hedge Fund

It's hard to say how far TravelPerk can go buying the UK's Click Travel, as it limits expansion to a mostly domestic market. But then its new investor has a reputation for spotting opportunities earlier than most.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 3 years ago

Tourism

England’s Final Covid Restrictions Set to Lift July 19

There's a date in sight, but that's coupled with a statement that the pandemic is not over. This is a dangerous mixed message from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Paul Sandle and Alistair Smout, Reuters | 3 years ago