Coronavirus and Travel

Coronavirus

Marriott Is Already Reopening China Hotels During Coronavirus Crisis

Marriott was already having trouble in Asia-Pacific in 2019 before the coronavirus impact hit. The company isn't forecasting a major impact outside of Asia, and it's already reopening hotels inside China. It pays to collect fees — and not actually own or run hotels — during a crisis like this.
Online Travel

Booking Channels Rival Expedia and Will Cut Costs Too

Could investors be whispering in Glenn Fogel's ears that what's good for Barry Diller's Expedia Group might be beneficial for Booking Holdings as well? Booking Holdings is usually a first mover in such online travel initiatives, but in this case, when it comes to cost cutting, it appears as though Booking Holdings heard the rumblings emanating from Expedia Group's Seattle headquarters.
Coronavirus

Radisson CEO Plays Down Coronavirus Impact on Hotels

Radisson Hospitality AB doesn't have a large number of guests from China or elsewhere in Asia staying in its hotels, so for now it isn't seeing much of an effect. That could change though, if the outbreak worsens in Europe.
Online Travel

Expedia Begins Layoffs Targeting 12 Percent of Its Workforce

Diller and Kern are taking an ax, as promised, to Expedia Group's payroll. This could be just the first round, and the thinking might be: Why sell to private equity, have those folks squeeze out the cost savings, and reshape the business when we can do it ourselves?