If you feel like everyone you know is going to Tulum, Mexico, lately ... it's because they are.
26.09.2023 - 19:05 / skift.com / Rashaad Jorden / Sean Oneill / Rafat Ali / Ask Skift
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, September 26. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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Travel executives from some of the industry’s most important companies will be speaking at the 10th annual Skift Global Forum this week in New York City and they’ll address a wide range of topics.
When it comes to the future of travel, Skift CEO and founder Rafat Ali has outlined four major themes that will impact travel the most: demographic shifts, the widespread loneliness crisis, the evolving future of work and the urgent need for climate adaptation.
All pose significant challenges – but also opportunities. As the world’s population ages rapidly, the travel industry can craft experiences for an older yet increasingly active population. To address loneliness, it can create group travels centered around shared interests and themes.
Next, Hospitality group Ennismore has taken major steps to market its all-inclusive resorts in its push for 100 resorts by 2027, reports Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.
The company’s all-inclusive resort collection currently has 38 properties, and Ennismore co-CEO Gaurav Bhushan expressed confidence his company could stand out in a segment that O’Neill notes is typically dominated by generic offerings.
Finally, tourism-dependent destinations such as Morocco and Maui have been decimated by natural disasters recently. Associate Editor Rashaad Jorden turns to Ask Skift, our artificial intelligence chatbot, to find out how events like earthquakes and wildfires impact tourism.
As the aftermath of natural disasters often includes massive trip cancellations, Jorden writes Maui might see a decrease in visitors for the foreseeable future. Analysts at T.D have predicted that Maui’s rebound would “take years,” citing the two-year recovery for air travel demand to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Meanwhile, one Morrocan-based expert said the tourism to Marrakech, near the recent earthquake’s epicenter, would suffer for years, adding relying on the industry to revive would be illogical. However, Moroccan hotel managers have said business is gradually returning, especially with the upcoming World Bank Group annual meeting in Marrakech.
If you feel like everyone you know is going to Tulum, Mexico, lately ... it's because they are.
All-inclusive resorts have had a downmarket reputation, but many hotel groups have been working to change that with announcements of upscale versions. This trend is driven by demand from a segment of travelers responding to rising inflation by seeking no-surprise vacations at one upfront price.
Unless you’re inheriting family vineyards—or celebrating an IPO windfall—Napa Valley isn’t the most affordable place to start a wine brand. And when Malek Amrani created The Vice in 2016 he had neither of those—just a vision that placed equal focus on both his passion and business approach. The Vice concentrates on single-vineyard and single-varietal wines from 15 of Napa’s 16 AVAs, has a line of orange wines and bottles that begin as low as $29, far below the average price for the region. Amrani has also just been appointed to the Board of Directors of Napa Valley Vintners—quite a journey for someone who came to New York as a teenager from Morocco. I spoke with Amrani about his love of Napa, his sales-first approach to winemaking and why orange wine may be here to stay.
The answer to the question “Which is doing better – hotels or short-term rentals?” is “depends on whom you ask and when.”
Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast!
Wyndham Grand has opened bookings for its newest all-inclusive Caribbean resort, Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord's Castle Resort & Spa.The secluded, 422-room oceanfront hotel marks Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' debut in Barbados. The property will host its first guests starting October 12, with a formal grand opening planned for early 2024.Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord's Castle Resort & Spa boasts a unique location on the former site of Sam Lord's Castle, a setting renowned for pirates during the 19th century.The property will feature as many as 37 suites with ocean views and lanai-style private balconies, more than 10 different dining venues, a 13,000 square-foot spa with a pool area and relaxation deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a sunrise yoga center.Among the many food and beverage highlights is a Mediterranean Marketplace dishing out flavors from North Africa, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain in addition to pop-up food trucks, poolside dining and a specialty "farm to fork" experience with locally sourced ingredients from nearby farmers, fisherman and purveyors.
When it comes to luxury, accessibility and affordability it's awfully hard to top an all-inclusive getaway to Grand Lucayan on The Bahamas' beautiful Grand Bahama Island.
Travel brands are eager to profit from artificial intelligence, but they’ll likely encounter several obstacles.
Munich, Germany, is Bavaria’s capital city. This historic metropolis is home to dozens of landmarks including century-old buildings and noteworth museums — and a plethroa of other attractions including restaurants and shopping opportunities. It’s also known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and beer halls (including the famed Hofbräuhaus) which dates back to 1589.
As a frequent cruiser, I've often seen ads for Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) "Free at Sea" promotions, which promise a variety of complimentary perks, including specialty dining, bar packages, internet, shore excursions, and more.
If hotel companies behaved like high school cliques, Hilton would definitely be a forward-thinking tech nerd.
Travelers want more than a good night’s sleep from their hotel. In addition to a comfortable, clean bed and pleasant amenities, today’s travelers desire an overall immersive hotel experience provided by a skilled, affable staff. From a cactus caretaker to beekeeper, the following one-of-a-kind team members are dedicated to providing unparalleled service and unique experiences.