Business Travel News

Well-heeled newlyweds are hoofing to destinations far beyond the beach for their honeymoons these days. Influenced by Instagram and luxury travel advisors, couples with means are looking for more meaningful, adventure-filled post-wedding getaways.

Delta frequent flyers are about to lose a SkyTeam partner in China, which means fewer miles and codeshare benefits. Those who fly American Airlines and other Oneworld partners, however, may soon gain one.

High-end travel companies need to find a way of targeting the newly wealthy, or they risk being left behind.

Will Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages, two high-end and newbie cruise lines, be able to attract passengers who have never chosen a cruise vacation? The two brands are counting on it.

Just as a gold digger goes after an older mate with deep pockets, so the luxury market has traditionally kept a focus on the mature top 5 percent. But as the world of wealth evolves, companies need to broaden their horizons to consider the new and younger groups that are becoming eligible for elite status.

Justyna Smith built up a modest Instagram following, and she's used that, plus word of mouth, to run a four-woman luxury travel agency that's making money. Many businesses decide to market wherever the customers are; in Smith's case, the customers came to her and the business followed.

Corporate business remains strong for both hotels and airlines despite ongoing trade wars around the world. This seems unlikely to hold up in 2019.

Tour operators only launch tours that they see demand for, and in Intrepid Travel's case, there's no question that vegan travelers appreciate the attention and effort to design food tours that are just as delicious as any other.

It will be interesting to see if Lola's fortunes change as its partnership with American Express Global Business Travel ramps up. We're quickly finding out how big a market there is for the variety of apps catering to business travelers from small- to medium-sized companies.

Jet2 has big ambitions for its leisure travel division and Brexit, plus other factors, have the potential to derail things. It makes planning for the future very difficult.