At the Sustainable Social Tourism Summit (León, 30 August – 2 September), UNWTO welcomed new high-level signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. The Secretariats of State for Tourism of Ciudad de Mexico, Queretaro, Guerrero, Quintana Roo, Nuevo Leon, all signed up to the landmark declaration, designed to guide tourism to Net-Zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. They join the Secretariat of State of Tourism of Guanajuato which signed up at the COP27 United Nations climate change conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The Secretary of State of Tourism of Guanajuato, Mr. Juan José Álvarez Brunel, heads the Sustainability Coordination of the National Association of Secretaries of tourism of Mexico A.C. (ASETUR) and led the discussion of climate action in tourism at sub-national level since becoming a signatory.
Airline Revenue Success Comes With Cost Distress
25.08.2023 - 14:18 / skift.com / Ed Bastian / Delta Ceo / Carsten Spohr / Airlines
Travelers surged back to planes last year in numbers unseen since the beginning of the pandemic. That was good news for airlines that, facing a myriad of challenges, were unable to resume flights quite as fast, which drove up fares — and revenues too. It also, however, brought an unwelcome surge in costs.
Now, in 2023, the airline industry must deal with these twin countervailing forces — rising revenues and costs — that will shape the pace of its recovery.
Make no mistake, demand for air travel is scorching hot in most major markets around the world. This is even true with corporate demand still well short of where it was prior to the Covid crisis. Airlines have managed to turn this into record revenues: up 13 percent compared to 2019 in the third quarter at American Airlines, 11 percent at Delta Air Lines, and flat at the Lufthansa Group all on less or significantly less capacity than they flew three years before. Ticket prices are high and cargo revenues are up, all while ancillary revenue streams are growing.
American Airlines Q3 revenues vs. same period in 2019
Delta Air Lines Q3 revenues vs. same period in 2019
Lufthansa Group Q3 revenues vs. same period in 2019
Of course, there are risks to this revenue boom. The big one is the prospect of a global economic recession. Though most airline executives have brushed off this concern, and Delta CEO Ed Bastian has gone as far as to call travel “countercyclical” to economic outlook. Then there’s the China question: If and when its large airline market will normalize. Thus far, China is the only major market that has not bounced back robustly.
To be clear, the industry’s current pricing might does not stem just from voracious demand alone. That’s clearly a major driver but also important is constrained supply. Airlines have been unable to meet the sharp and sudden return of travelers because of a shortage of people, planes, and property. Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr, speaking in October, said the global industry was being “forced” to fly less than it otherwise would given the amount people want to travel. And it wasn’t just airlines: The rest of the aviation ecosystem faced a similar struggles, from planemakers to airports and air traffic control organizations.
Singapore Airlines provides a telling example. Its revenues from April-to-September 2022 were up 1 percent versus the same six months of 2019, even as its capacity was down 31 percent! Bottlenecks have eased since last summer, yet the problem persists — Boeing and Airbus for example are still behind on deliveries, meaning airlines still can’t expand as much as they’d like.
There’s a dark side to all of this. Supply-side messiness, including labor shortages, are costly. So are constraints
Learning to Surf With Pro-Longboarder Mary Osborne
In the 1991 surf-heist movie Point Break, Keanu Reeves learns how to ride waves in a day. My own experience is a little different. On my first attempt, I banana-skid backwards off my board, catapult into the foam, and swallow about a pint of brine. Next, I dive face-first into the waves; a process known as “pearling.” The phrase sounds almost glamorous when my teacher, Mary Osborne, says it. But I can assure you it is not.
How to enjoy Costa Rica on a budget
It’s easy to experience sticker shock when checking into eco-lodges and renting vehicles and booking tours in Costa Rica. Indeed, it is the most expensive country in Central America, thanks to a booming economy and well-developed tourist sector.
Getting around Costa Rica by bus, car, airplane and boat
Costa Rica packs a world of adventure into a relatively small area. Limited infrastructure means that getting around can be a challenge, but it’s also one reason that Costa Rica is the wild and wonderful place that it is.
13 essential things to know before visiting Costa Rica
On a recent trip to Costa Rica, on a hike in the remote forests of Volcán Tenorio National Park, the sky unexpectedly opened up, dumping buckets of rain on my 12-year-old twins and me. We were completely soaked, despite our rain gear.
This Dog-Friendly North Carolina Airbnb Comes With a Backyard Waterfall
Looking for a pet-friendly Airbnb and a getaway from a fast-paced life? Trying to find an Airbnb that is remote and dog friendly can be challenging at times, but it’s worth it when you find the right spot. Case in point: this North Carolina Airbnb with a backyard that goes directly to a waterfall.
These Big Sur Hotels Come With Easy Access To the Beach and Mountains
Big Sur is an amazing place to visit and explore. It’s a rugged stretch of California coastline that has an incredible combination of mountains, ocean views, beaches, and redwood forests. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day on the beach or more adventurous activities like hiking in the Santa Lucia Mountains, these Big Sur hotels ensure you’re within reach.
"Pura Vida" Costa Rican Charm
Whether it’s divine providence or this travel writer giving it the thumbs up, take the hint! Book a flight to Costa Rica!
Costa Elena Ventures Into Costa Rica’s Last Frontier
Costa Rica is an eclectic mix of customs, beliefs and people, whose multicultural and multilingual inhabitants descended from the cultural fusion of immigrants, including Africans, Chinese, Jews, Lebanese and Italians. With a population approaching five million, similar to that of Kentucky, Costa Rica remains small enough to afford visitors the opportunity to become acquainted with its friendly people.
IDEAS: United Airlines Appeals to Families with Sesame Street Travel Kits IDEAS: United Airlines Unveils Another Amenity Kit Featuring Sesame Street
United Airlines has unveiled Children’s Travel Kits in collaboration with Sesame Workshop.
Delta’s Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Will Take Off in February
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, January 6, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Flight Meltdowns Are Biggest Airline Story of The Year
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, December 30, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.