Coronavirus Travel News

Will hotel direct-booking campaigns be in play after the coronavirus crisis? That's a side issue that online travel agencies and hotels would love to have to deal with at some point. In the interim, they are facing more existential questions.

In airline news this week, it's important to remember that airlines are not ordinary companies, more like utilities in many ways with a public trust responsibility. So it's time to lose the hubris when the coronavirus crisis calms down. What's more, loyalty programs are one of the biggest assets airlines have, and it's an option for them to leverage those programs for much-needed cash.

At first, U.S. airlines tried to keep prices steady for summer travel and beyond. But now that's going away. Most airlines are offering cheap fares on many routes through the end of their schedules.

It's a decisive moment for short-term rental companies. When it comes to coronavirus-addled short-term rental cancellation and refund policies, Airbnb sided with guests while Vrbo shrugged its shoulders to soothe property managers and owners. Who has the longer memory?

Granted, this crisis is unprecedented. Yet hotels worldwide can learn lessons from how hotels have faced regional shutdowns, such as in Asia-Pacific in recent months, in Las Vegas after the shooting rampage, and elsewhere after hurricanes and financial crises. Managing room rates and marketing offers is critical to making the most of a rebound in demand.

A greater appreciation of travel and its many segments could be a positive outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. But until the storm blows over, many small businesses in the Asian tourism industry are facing survival threats.

The aviation industry is going to change dramatically over the coming weeks and months. Lufthansa thinks it is well-placed to ride this one out, but how many other airlines can say the same?

It's fairly certain that many Marriott International-affiliated properties will never reopen. CEO Arne Sorenson is showing leadership in being candid about the tough measures the hotel chain has to take to emerge with a business worth running when coronavirus hopefully fades.

There will be a reckoning and perhaps a reordering of the competitive landscape once the coronavirus crisis fades. Meanwhile, companies such as Expedia Group know they need to have extreme focus to dig out of the mess.

Major hotel chains are undertaking financial moves to get past the coronavirus crisis. But without governmental relief, it likely won't be enough.