This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Candice Gallagher, a 38-year-old British marketer and content creator . It has been edited for length and clarity.
30.07.2024 - 07:42 / skift.com / Rashaad Jorden / Jose Marmolejos / Meta Ai
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, July 30, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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Meta AI recently released the newest version of its generative AI model, which it says outperforms that of OpenAI in nearly every metric. Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes tested how it works for trip planning.
Dawes notes the Meta AI’s chatbot gave a list of suggested activities in the Vancouver area focused around hiking and cultural experiences — but not in the form of a traditional activity. The suggestions were grouped according to the type of activity, along with a suggestion for which day to complete each of them.
Dawes added the chatbot provided useful suggestions for Vancouver-area restaurants. However, he reports two of the recommended restaurants are permanently closed. In addition, the chatbot didn’t provide links to any of the restaurant websites.
Next, several prominent airlines are using the Paris Olympics to build brand recognition. Airlines Reporter Gordon Smith takes a look at carriers that have entered into Olympic-related partnerships.
Delta Air Lines recently signed an eight-year partnership with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which covers the 2028 games in Los Angeles. Delta is managing travel for all athletes as part of the deal. In addition, Air Canada and Australia’s flag carrier Qantas have unveiled special designs on their aircraft to mark sponsorship deals of their country’s Olympic teams.
Smith notes even low-cost carriers are using the Paris Olympics to market themselves. Budapest-based Wizz Air painted one of its planes gold to symbolize its deal as Team Hungary’s official airline.
Finally, regulators in the United Arab Emirates published its gaming regulations over the weekend. Middle East Reporter Josh Corder explains why the country’s casino industry may be more local than expected.
To receive a gaming license, Corder notes operators must have a “qualifying domestic entity” in the country or have a relationship with one. That entity must have a substantial financial and operational history in the United Arab Emirates. Corder cites Wynn and MGM are two companies with local partners.
Analysts at real estate firm CBRE said Emirati casinos could generate as much as $8.5 billion in revenue, assuming Wynn is one of the companies to open casinos across the United Arab Emirates.
Producer/Presenter: Jose Marmolejos
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Candice Gallagher, a 38-year-old British marketer and content creator . It has been edited for length and clarity.
You don’t hear about Central Florida very often, and when you do, chances are it has something to do with Walt Disney World. But just over an hour north of the famed resort complex is the mid-sized city of Ocala, a destination bursting with superlatives, including “America’s largest spring” and “horse capital of the world.”
Wynn Resorts has just closed a deal to buy another 70 acres of land on Ras Al Khaimah’s Marjan Island, giving the operator a total of 155 acres and ownership of a quarter of the entire island. Wynn is already developing a $3.9 billion resort in the emirate.
Offering business class flights at a fraction of the cost, this airline says it’s creating a new niche in luxury travel.
UN Tourism and TUI Care Foundation have solidified their ongoing partnership by signing an agreement at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid. The agreement focuses on empowering artists and artisans, particularly women and youth, in rural tourism destinations in Africa. With this new agreement, TUI Care Foundation becomes the first partner to support the pilot phase of the Tourism for Rural Development Small Grants Programme by UN Tourism.
The Skift Travel Podcast is wrapping up its series on the Paris Olympics. Greg Klassen, senior director at Skift Advisory and former president and CEO of Destination Canada, joins Head of Research Seth Borko and Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of hosting large sporting events such as the Olympic Games.
Aug 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines has released a slew of discounted fares just in time for an end-of-summer getaway.
Meta AI last week released the newest version of its generative AI model, which it claims outperforms that of OpenAI in nearly every metric.
Jul 29, 2024 • 7 min read
Heading into the summer holidays it can be tricky to keep children entertained with new ideas. With searches for ‘free family days out’ surging by 123% in just the past week, families are looking for exciting days out to keep young ones happy whilst watching the pennies.
France's rail network has been thrown into chaos today following a series of arson attacks, just hours before the nation officially opens the 2024 Paris Olympics.