Selina, a hotel and experiences brand focused on youth travelers, said on Wednesday that its financial metrics were trending in the right direction as it reported earnings results.
25.08.2023 - 13:56 / skift.com / Rashaad Jorden / Wouter Geerts
Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, March 16. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Google Podcasts
Travel brands have increasingly emphasized their commitment to sustainability in recent years, including major hotel companies. So how are they faring in their quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Skift Research addresses that topic in a new report analyzing hotel companies’ sustainability efforts.
Senior Research Analyst Wouter Geerts reports that most of the largest hotel companies have established science-based targets for their emissions levels. He writes that’s an improvement from just a few years ago. Geerts adds that most hotel companies seem to be on target for their emissions reduction goals.
Next, the short-term rental industry, like other sectors of travel, has struggled with labor shortages coming out of the pandemic. However, Short-Term Rental Reporter Srividya Kalyanaraman writes it can’t rely on tech yet to solve its staffing issues.
Guy Westlake, founder of property management software firm Lavanda, said it’s becoming harder to find candidates for positions in the short-term rental industry. Kalyanaraman reports a lot of workers are shunning hospitality for higher-paying remote roles that have emerged in recent years. But Westlake adds human workers will be necessary for at least another decade, noting that robots can’t clean or maintain apartments yet.
Kalyanaraman writes the rising cost of living in popular tourist markets has also contributed to the short-term rental industry’s labor crisis. She notes that many locals who would have previously found work in the industry have been priced out of those destinations.
Finally, South Africa has been battered by a worsening energy crisis that’s included frequent blackouts. That’s complicating business for the country’s travel industry, writes Travel Experiences Reporter Selene Brophy.
Brophy writes the ongoing power cuts don’t bode for South Africa’s attempts to attract digital nomads. Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy said the power cuts have made internet connections challenging. The organization has partnered with Airbnb to promote Cape Town as a remote working destination. Meanwhile, an executive at South African hospitality brand Curiocity said frequent power outages could result in digital nomads cutting their stays in the country short. Remote workers account for at least 80 percent of the company’s bookings.
Brophy adds that power cuts have forced some travel businesses to invest in costly diesel generators, which eat away at any potential profits. On the other hand, the V&A Waterfront, South Africa’s most visited attraction, has increased its
Selina, a hotel and experiences brand focused on youth travelers, said on Wednesday that its financial metrics were trending in the right direction as it reported earnings results.
Chiang Mai is an excellent destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and culture of Thailand. Located in Northern Thailand, it offers visitors a unique blend of history, nature, and modern lifestyle — not to mention incredible cuisine. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Chiang Mai has something for everyone. With its ancient temples, beautiful natural surroundings, and vibrant nightlife, it’s easy to see why this city is both a digital nomad hotspot and an essential part of any Thailand travel itinerary.
Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, took home 13 awards at the 30th Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony on August 26th.
Accor, the Paris-based hotel giant, said on Tuesday that Omer Acar will head its brands Raffles & Orient Express as of March 1. Acar will join Accor’s other brand CEOs in its luxury and lifestyle group (Fairmont, Sofitel & MGallery, and Ennismore) — all of whom report directly to group CEO Sébastian Bazin.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Monday, December 12. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Several big-name hotel companies have entered 2023 with tech partnerships to modernize operations and services.
Hotel company Sonesta said on Tuesday it would launch a new brand, Sonesta Essential, and offer a just-added brand, The James, to developers.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, December 23, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Hotel companies have been launching new brands again. Hilton Worldwide said on Wednesday it had created its first hotel brand in the economy segment, Spark by Hilton. Accor, the owner of the world’s most hotel brands, said last week it had reorganized itself around its brands. Marriott International, Wyndham Worldwide, Hyatt, Kerzner, and Best Western have created or bought hotel brands in the past several months.
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.
Starwood Capital, a real estate investment firm run by Barry Sternlicht — who has scaled up high-end brands W Hotels, St. Regis Hotels, 1 Hotels, Treehouse Hotels, and Baccarat Hotels — said it would help launch a limited-service hotel brand focused on the outdoor sector. Enter the iconic media brand Field & Stream, founded in 1895.
When international travelers visit Portugal, some may look for a big chain you’d find in, say Phoenix. But AlmaLusa, a boutique hotel brand founded in 2016, is banking on travelers looking for something more authentic.