Coronavirus Travel News

Investors liked the durability and continual operation of extended-stay hotels during the worst of the pandemic. But a $1.5 billion play for a portfolio and not even the entire WoodSpring Suites brand shows where investors see travel demand concentrating during the recovery.

Leisure travel can only do so much. The lack of business travel finally pushed the nose down on U.S. hotel performance during the latest coronavirus variant.

Analysts signaled they like what's happening with Hyatt's push into more leisure-oriented properties following a nearly $2.7 billion acquisition.

Last year wasn't the runaway success the travel industry anticipated — or needed.

Some tempered optimism and a reality check from the UNWTO, on the impact of Omicron and vaccine inequity on travel's rebound.

Inflation can be a good thing for travel sectors able to play the rate game. But volume eventually has to catch up and play a part in the rebound. Otherwise, you run the risk of driving customers, no matter how desperate they are to travel, to just say no to high costs.

Omicron cases are still surging around the world, but major brands like Marriott and Radisson and brands-on-the-rise like CitizenM are all signaling moves to accommodate travel demand and operations for the other side of this latest variant.

Major American hotel companies like Marriott and Hilton might keep some international competitors from elbowing into the U.S., but Dutch brand CitizenM’s North American expansion shows there is a hunger for lesser-known players on the hotel scene.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, January 11, in New York City. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

U.S. and Chinese hotel performance surged in recent weeks while European properties saw a dive in demand. American and Chinese hoteliers shouldn’t waste time taking a victory lap.