We learned a lot about hotel sector history by listening to Hilton vs. Marriott — the latest season from , a show from Wondery, Amazon’s podcast studio.
25.08.2023 - 14:31 / skift.com / Christopher Nassetta / Dennis Schaal / Rashaad Jorden / Rob Torres / Matthew Parsons
Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, December 15, and we are live in Dubai for one last day. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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The Middle East has seen an enormous tourism boom in recent months. So what strategies are travel brands operating in the region adopting in the fierce competition to attract visitors? Travel executives speaking at the inaugural Skift Global Forum East in Dubai on Wednesday said industry-wide collaboration is critical in boosting visitor numbers to the Middle East, reports Corporate Travel Editor Matthew Parsons.
Parsons writes Morocco is one destination taking collaboration to heart. Moroccan National Tourism Office CEO Adel El Fakir said, in discussion with Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali, that it worked with both the public and private sector to launch a new tourism campaign. El Fakir added that Morocco opted to use two creative agencies for the campaign instead of one.
In addition, Rob Torres, senior vice president of Expedia Group Media Solutions, said his company wants to help destinations steer travelers to locations other than traditional tourist hotspots. Torres stated travel brands can use Expedia’s data to gather information about additional attractions prospective visitors may be interested in exploring.
Next, Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta emphatically said at Skift Global Forum East on Wednesday that he’s a big fan of the luxury sector. But he acknowledged the company hasn’t made a major luxury push in the Middle East, reports Executive Editor Dennis Schaal.
Nassetta, who was interviewed by Skift founder and CEO Ali at the Forum via hologram, said all segments of hospitality are underrepresented in the Middle East. Nassetta added that some emerging economies in the region need to establish public-private partnerships to help develop their tourism infrastructure.
However, he said every market in the Middle East is different, noting that Dubai is a decade ahead of other destinations in the region regarding infrastructure development. Nassetta also highlighted Saudi Arabia as a country — with Hilton’s involvement — that’s made an enormous investment in its travel infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
Finally, cruise line Celebrity Cruises is allowing prospective customers to take virtual tours of its ships prior to booking trips. It’s the first cruise line to run ship tours in the rapidly growing metaverse, a virtual world where people interact with each other via digital means, writes Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes.
Celebrity Cruises just released a metaverse program that enables users to explore a virtual version of Celebrity Beyond, the company’s latest
We learned a lot about hotel sector history by listening to Hilton vs. Marriott — the latest season from , a show from Wondery, Amazon’s podcast studio.
Hilton said Thursday that it plans to install at least six electric vehicle chargers per property at 2,000 hotels in North America, and will buy devices from Tesla. Once it fully installs them, Hilton will own more electric vehicle chargers than any other U.S.-based hotel group.
For those who prioritize luxury and convenience, business class fares have surged by 22%. And for the most discerning travelers, first-class tickets have experienced an impressive 30% or more price hike, promising an opulent and exclusive flying experience.
Hilton’s lifestyle brand Canopy by Hilton makes its debut in the south of France, delivering a locally‑inspired and high‑end experience to Cannes
Skift founder Rafat Ali interviewed Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta via hologram Wednesday at Skift Global Forum East in Dubai. Nassetta said Hilton expects to organically develop its own new brands rather than chase costly acquisitions in part because “we don’t want to have to fix other people’s problems.”
CEO Christopher Nassetta said Hilton expects to organically develop its own new brands rather than chase costly acquisitions in part because “we don’t want to have to fix other people’s problems.”
Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta considers himself amazed at level of growth he’s seen in the Middle East’s hotel industry during his roughly 40-year career. Nassetta described the commitment officials in the region have made to travel and tourism as extraordinary during his appearance at the recent Skift Global Forum East in Dubai, adding he views Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as markets for significant growth.
Hilton Worldwide is rolling out its first-ever hotel brand in the economy slice of the market, Spark by Hilton, taking on rivals such as Marriott International, Choice, and InterContinental Hotels Group in this competitive market segment.
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There’s been well-deserved excitement in travel tech circles in recent years about everything from the New Distribution Capability to chatbots and the arrival of generative AI, but the reality is that much of what passes for travel technology is still backwards these days.
Oyo, the India-based budget hotel chain and booking platform, plans to double its premium segment hotel count in Indonesia from around 200 properties to over 400 by the end of 2023.
Meliá Hotels International is Spain’s largest hotel and resort operator, aiming to grow its portfolio across the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Asia Pacific by 40 percent in the next three years. The Mallorca-based company, controlled by the Escarrer family, is open to selling a stake to a world player like Hyatt or Marriott. But its strategy in recent years could set it up to go it alone for much longer.