Coronavirus and Travel

Hotel labor groups have justifiably been concerned over the industry push in the last year to offer contactless features like mobile check-in that reduce staffing needs. The Standard’s chat function replacing calls to the front desk may be the rare tech innovation that actually helps the worker.

Profit margins may have increased at some hotels during the pandemic, but what about the human cost? The pandemic wiped out 10 years of hotel job growth, and new operational models are unlikely to bring everyone back.

The U.S. hotel industry has a tough sell convincing Congress it needs targeted aid when industry analysts expect business to pick up this summer and into the second half of 2021 across all hospitality sectors. May just fall under the category of futile at this point.

It’s a convoluted story, but one that encapsulates where corporate travel is heading: ecosystems rather than dominant agencies that promise the world.

Whether HQs are phased out due to cost-cutting, restructuring or a genuine desire to adopt remote work policies, the net result is the same: more people looking for spaces to collaborate.

Best Western’s expansion from economy, roadside hotels to boutique brands in recent years faces stiff competition coming out of the pandemic. The company can be a success if, and only if, more of its long-time operators upgrade to the boutique model.

Vaccine success is already boosting the economy and consumer confidence in Chile. But another Covid surge shows that a cautious approach in tourism recovery efforts is imperative alongside the vaccination race.

A July 4 full reopening to international visitors is what U.S. tourism and aviation groups pushed President Biden on today, plus no mandatory Covid entry test for vaccinated travelers. But reopening sooner than later could be risky amid Covid spikes in other countries.

What distress? The $6 billion price tag on Extended Stay America is a result of its real estate and durable customer base. Period. That is why it is significantly outpacing the rest of the hotel industry during the pandemic.