Vacaya Day of the Dead celebration. (Photo Credit: Vacaya)
25.08.2023 - 13:53 / skift.com / Rashaad Jorden / Peter Van-Berkel / Matthew Parsons
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, March 31. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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Remote work has grown exponentially in recent years, and speakers at the recent Skift Future of Lodging Forum in London believe it’s becoming further embedded in the hospitality industry, reports Corporate Travel Editor Matthew Parsons in this week’s Future of Work briefing.
Parsons cited Airbnb as one company getting a boost from the rise in remote work. Global Head of Hosting Catherine Powell attributed its 60 percent jump in bookings from pre-Covid levels in part to the flexibility remote work provides travelers. In addition, Tamara Lohan, CEO of luxury booking service Mr & Mrs. Smith, said even upscale properties are aware of the importance of remote work. Lohan mentioned room designs that can make it easier for guests to do work.
Next, many travelers consider souvenirs an important part of their trips, but largely don’t use those mementos after returning home. Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam explores why souvenirs are often forgotten as well as innovations that could help communities dependent on selling them.
Habtemariam reports that souvenirs are destination marketing products to potential visitors, with roughly two-thirds of them being given to either relatives or friends. Many residents of popular tourist destinations have established businesses around souvenirs, enabling them to support themselves and preserve their cultures. However, International Inbound Travel Association chair Peter van Berkel said travelers hardly use the souvenirs they buy. Habtemariam also notes that unused souvenirs can damage the environment, especially those that come in plastic.
As one travel executive said meaningful souvenirs are more likely to be used after their purchase, Habtemariam writes improvements in delivery speed and costs could help diversify souvenirs countries are famous for. He adds that the most popular souvenirs are easy to carry on planes, especially since large items possibly meaningful to travelers are often difficult to bring home.
Finally, popular TV shows and movies are not only driving more travelers to visit certain destinations, they’re also inspiring travel brands to create pop culture-centered trips amid the growing desire for experience-based travel, writes Travel Experiences Reporter Selene Brophy.
Brophy cites luxury travel company Black Tomato as one brand working to further leverage the power of the silver screen to boost bookings. It’s entered into a partnership with the production company behind the iconic series of James Bond films. Brophy notes a Bond-inspired itinerary includes action stunt
Vacaya Day of the Dead celebration. (Photo Credit: Vacaya)
This summer’s travel boom is showing no signs of slowing down during the Labor Day weekend, especially for the growing number of Americans looking to vacation overseas.
Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast!
Centered on the pivotal theme “Transforming Demand Trends to Reshape the Future of Intra-Africa Travel,” the 2023 ATLF & Awards is poised to offer unparalleled networking corridors, growth-centric business prospects, and cutting-edge educational modules.
Travel prices across Europe have started to decline, following months of continuous hikes in air fares and hotel rates. However, they’re expected to remain highly volatile for several years as the market undergoes a correction.
The journey towards accessibility in travel starts with talking about non-access.
Rising airfares and travel costs are prompting legal professionals involved in dispute resolutions to return to video conferencing.
Improved customer experience was the driving hypothesis behind Originals, GetYourGuide’s private label offering. Reports that it is ending raise the question of why.
A venture studio shut down its remote working startup after discovering its business model wasn’t really meeting its goals.
There’s nothing quite like a surprise travel gift — and U.S. travelers are ready for it.
Sustainable travel has developed a sense of urgency post-pandemic. However, while carbon emissions, environmental degradation, and cultural sensitivity are picked apart at length, animal exploitation through the sale of captive wildlife entertainment has received less pushback.
A strategic partnership with Booking Holdings is helping expense management company Serko recover from the pandemic.