Coronavirus and Travel

It is not the first time Ian Schrager has attempted to brand Public as the next big thing for hotels with its “luxury for all” mantra. But the pandemic primed the travel market where this kind of high-end, limited-service brand has a real shot at growth.

In terms of saving the planet, the next best thing to not flying long-haul could be flying on a plane that uses sustainable fuel. Many companies are buying into this now, but it's still early days.

Soho House's push for an initial public offering puts a lot of stock around the idea that more customers want some degree of exclusivity following the pandemic.

Hilton’s rapid growth in Sin City signals the company sees a full travel rebound for Las Vegas, which greatly suffered from a year of no major events during the pandemic. But developing a successful Las Vegas mega-resort doesn't come cheap: Celine Dion wouldn't leave Caesars Palace for pennies.

Considering the U.S.'s aggressive vaccination effort and the desire of many European countries to return to 2019 tourism numbers, expect most of them to open their doors wide as soon as possible.

Lawmakers and travel leaders are urging the broader travel industry to make their voices heard: this U.S.-Canada land border closure must end now. The consequences have been dire for tourism, particularly in Canada where there's been zero recovery since last year's shutdown.

The hotel industry is riding high on a summer surge of demand, but labor shortages and changing guest tastes mean this industry has to adapt fast as it looks to reignite revenue drivers beyond leisure travelers.

Hilton’s Confirmed Connecting Rooms feature is a win for leisure travelers looking for larger spaces when booking group travel this summer. But it also aims to make hotels a viable option once again for larger families who may have already decamped for the likes of Airbnb.

It's a promising approach — partnering with an established, niche conservation group to offer trips focused on uncrowded Mediterranean villages and protected areas. And it might just work as more travelers seek "soulful" experiences away from Europe's tourist crowds.

For a state that's restricted businesses and tourism for a year, the rebound is a rapid one — particularly for a major city.