Coronavirus and Travel

U.S. hotels continue to post strong job numbers thanks to summer leisure travel demand, but the industry can't afford to ride on blind optimism. The Delta variant throwing a wrench in the expected return of business travel will show up in jobs reports later this year.

After shutting down or selling eight businesses — some of which were relatively inconsequential — since the beginning of 2020, Expedia Group doesn't expect any more such asset dispositions as part of its drive to make the company simpler and more focused. But selling brands may turn out to be the easiest part of the exercise.

Profitability is one thing, but out-performing 2019 is the genuine sign of a rebound. Choice Hotels is lucky to not have to worry as much about corporate travel and conventions as some of its competitors.

By remaining silent on vaccine equity, the travel industry's big players are as accountable as vaccine-hoarding governments for a deepening tourism divide. Intrepid Travel is setting an example — will others follow?

Don't call it leaving Las Vegas so much as MGM Resorts taking advantage of inflated real estate prices to get into your pocket, by way of the increasingly lucrative online gaming business.

Seizing smart, strategic opportunities coming out of the pandemic is top of mind at Hyatt, of course. But the Chicago-based company shouldn’t expect any bargains in its potential European brand hunt. The competition is too fierce.

Hotels are not out of the woods yet. Marriott notched the best financial showing of hotel earnings season so far, but the Delta variant threatens the recovery everywhere — even in China, the company’s best-performing major market last quarter.

If Accor can go from billion-dollar losses to profitability in a matter of months, Marriott shareholders should expect plenty of financial gains and optimism on Tuesday's earnings call.

Leisure may lead the way for now, but Hilton is banking on business travel reviving in a matter of months. Without more people getting vaccinated, variants of the virus can quickly turn informed predictions into blind optimism.

Propped up by a pent-up demand to travel and propelled by growing brand conversions, Wyndham looks to be on the path to a strong recovery locally. Its only worries would be the Delta variant that could possibly reinstate travel restrictions internationally.