Rashaad Jorden Archives

Rashaad Jorden is Skift’s Associate Editor/Archivist. He often delves into topics that readers turn to Ask Skift, our AI answer engine, for information. Before finding his way to Skift, he bounced around the U.S., France, Japan and UK. He greatly misses the all-you-can-eat vegetarian curry at his favorite restaurant in Japan. He is also adept at running half-marathons and, despite living in New Jersey, rues the fact he doesn’t spend enough time on the Jersey Shore.

Hotels

LGBTQ Travelers May Not Need Official Certification Programs for Safety

Word of mouth is a powerful factor for where travelers choose to stay. So hotels need to emphasize a welcoming atmosphere instead of certifications that may be insignificant to prospective guests.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 years ago

Hotels

Global Hotel CEOs Say Demand Can Weather a Downturn

A labor shortage, a recession and Covid are obstacles the hotel industry has to overcome. But the mood at the 44th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference remained optimistic.

Andrea Doyle | 4 years ago

Tourism

U.S. Unveils New Tourism Strategy With Aim of Attracting 90 Million Annual Overseas Visitors

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced on Monday that the Department of Commerce has unveiled a new national travel and tourism strategy as part of a five-year goal to…

Rashaad Jorden | 4 years ago

Hotels

China’s Strict Covid Policies Likely to Deter Future Hotel Investment

Even if more Chinese cities follow the recent lead of Beijing and Shanghai in easing Covid restrictions, major hotel companies will still tread cautiously regarding future development in the country. Especially since widespread lockdowns could occur again if Covid cases surge.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 years ago

Hotels

Hotels Look to Alleviate Guest Stress Starting With the Journey to Get There

Travelers are ready to adventure again, but they just may not be ready for the pitfalls of getting to their destination. Hotels are enhancing wellness, relaxation, and convenience in anticipation of those often-rocky journeys.

Carley Thornell | 4 years ago

Tour Operators

U.S. Tour Operators Proceed Carefully on Cuba Trips With Eye on 2024 Elections

U.S. tour operators may not have long to take advantage of the eased travel restrictions to Cuba. So they're not wasting time during their preparations because legally taking travelers to the island is very complicated.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 years ago

Business Travel

Amex GBT to Start Trading as a Public Company on May 31

One of travel's most-anticipated SPACs, Amex GBT made it official Friday. It will start trading as a public company on the Tuesday after Memorial Day, smack into a volatile market. But signs of a fast-improving business travel recovery may be what investors choose to focus on.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 years ago

Tour Operators

Tour Operators Are Travel’s Last Big Sector Ready for Digital Transformation

The tour operator sector feels like the hotel industry of yesteryear. With billions in market value hiding in plain sight, it seems primed to have its decade of intense innovation.

Tony Carne | 4 years ago

Hotels

Hotels Designing for Disabilities Must Think Beyond Old Stereotypes

Sometimes there needs to be a carve out in the biggest design trends to take accessibility issues into account.

Carley Thornell | 4 years ago

Travel Agents

Pent-Up Travel Demand, Staffing Shortages Drive Travel Advisor Burnout

Travel agencies need to develop more strategies to tackle advisor burnout. They can't afford to lose more advisors because they've struggled to fill roles since the start of the pandemic.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 years ago