Rashaad Jorden

As lucrative as the U.S. reopening to fully vaccinated international visitors stands to be for many companies in the travel industry, others are still deeply damaged so much to be properly prepared for the influx.

Countries like the U.S. issuing passports with a new gender marker is a powerful acknowledgment that people who don't identify as male or female are becoming more prominent in the world.

Although the U.S. travel industry anxiously awaits the return of Chinese visitors, the timing will largely depend on when Beijing decides to ease outbound travel restrictions.

In Skift's top stories this week, D.C.'s Attorney General alleges Marriott made millions through a deceptive practice, United's CEO cautions travelers about flying on airlines without vaccine mandates for staff, and tour operator TUI pitches remote work holidays to companies.

In Skift's top stories this week, the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. is on the verge of being sold, the new CEO of Standard International outlines her plans, and Americans are spilt on whether mandatory vaccine mandates should be issued for airline passengers.

Even if tourism companies are struggling to resume operations paused by Covid — let alone approach pre-pandemic levels — they must devise new ways to reach audiences interested in their products, even those tourists in their backyards. Especially if they've been popular, like many refugee-led tours have been.

In Skift's top stories this week, Wyndham makes major inroads in the all-inclusive resort sector, Delta Air Lines explains why it hasn't required its employees to get vaccinated, and South Korea launches an enormously popular tourism campaign.

While major U.S. tour operators might have been surprised by the timing of the reopening announcement, they've been extensively preparing for this moment for a long time in their devastating, forced respite due to pandemic lockdowns.

In Skift's top stories this week, numerous large corporate travel agencies have made big changes since the pandemic, unions representing pilots at two U.S. airline giants seek exemptions from vaccine mandates, and two major U.S. hotel management companies announce plans to merge.

A powerful, succinct message coupled with humor can go a long way in drumming up more interest in a product — and drive people to buy when there's already a high demand.