Delta Air Lines announced it would launch a new seasonal service between Orlando International Airport and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), starting on October 26.
14.06.2024 - 09:21 / skift.com / Louis Vuitton / Rashaad Jorden / Sean Oneill / Srettha Thavisin / Peden Doma Bhutia / Jane Alexander / Express
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, June 14, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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The use of artificial intelligence in the travel industry has grown significantly in recent years. However, the industry still has a lot of work to do to get the most out of AI. Vivek Bhogaraju, advisory partner of data and AI at Skift, provides travel companies with ideas on how to develop AI strategies.
Bhogaraju writes that this is just the beginning of the AI era. He urges companies to be flexible when using the technology, noting that new regulations will eventually be introduced. Bhogaraju also emphasized the importance of hiring the right chief data officers, who he said need extensive technical knowledge and a background in the travel industry.
Although Bhogaraju writes that successful data and AI execution requires urgency and efficiency, he notes that projects that succeed take time and persistence.
Next, LVMH said on Thursday it reached a deal with Accor to speed up the revival of the hotel company’s Orient Express brand, reports Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.
LVMH said it would make an unspecified strategic investment in the Orient Express brand. O’Neill notes the joint venture will include ships in addition to trains and hotels. Meanwhile, LVMH downplayed rumors it would open a Louis Vuitton-branded hotel in Paris.
Finally, Thailand has decided to scrap a proposed $8 fee on international tourists arriving by plane, writes Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently said his administration would abandon the previous government’s plan, which was approved in February 2023. Thai officials intended to use the revenue from the tourism fee to fund the management of insurance for international visitors.
However, Bhutia notes the tourism fee faced significant opposition from private stakeholders. Plus, Thavisin said eliminating the tourist fee could produce greater economic benefits.
Producer/Presenter: Jane Alexander
Delta Air Lines announced it would launch a new seasonal service between Orlando International Airport and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), starting on October 26.
Thailand on Monday announced the extension of its free insurance scheme for international tourists until the end of 2024. This initiative provides international tourists with medical coverage of up to THB 500,000 ($13,650) for accidents or natural disasters.
Oyo has announced the launch of its first luxury hotel, the Palette Royal Reflections Hotel and Spa, in Dubai. The opening marks a significant step in Oyo’s strategy to expand its premium offerings, driven by the increasing demand from Indian tourists for high-end accommodations in the region.
On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Brandon White, owner of Share the Magic Travel, to talk about his recent visit to the Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Thailand is inviting remote workers and digital nomads to not only visit, but to stay a while with its new extended visa program.
Hideyasu Kiyomoto, the mayor of Himeji City in Japan, this week proposed a significant price hike for foreign tourists visiting Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Currently, the entry fee is JPY 1,000 (about $6) for all, but the mayor suggested increasing it to around $30 for foreigners, while locals would pay $5.
Last May, Samir Bhavnani, a 47-year-old tech executive from San Diego, was planning a trip to Palm Springs, Calif., where he planned to propose to his girlfriend. He found the perfect spot on Vrbo: It offered a “spa in a grotto,” a slide and a swim-up bar and had plenty of five-star reviews.
The UEFA Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Germany has sparked a surge in sports tourism, particularly among Asian travelers, according to data from Trip.com Group.
Sandals Royal Curaçao is the ideal destination for an island escape. Situated on the picturesque island of Curacao, the resort boasts stunning views, beautiful beaches, and crystal-clear waters. The island itself is known for its vibrant culture, colorful architecture, and rich history, adding to the overall appeal.
Think of Goa and what comes to mind? Beaches, nightlife, and parties. Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte welcomes this image, but he wants travelers to see beyond it.
China is opening its doors even wider to the world. Australia is now the latest country to join China’s expanding visa waiver program.
Minor International runs 540 hotels and aims to grow that count about a third by 2026.