Traveling Blog: Announcing Skift Tech Forum + Genocide in Myanmar + Expedia-Priceline CEO Quandaries

November 6, 2017

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Note From the Editor

Corporate responsibility in the travel industry — is it a scam or substantive? We may be finding out soon enough through the travel industry's response to the genocide being waged against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, which until recently was a trendy, bucket-list destination. In a story today, tourism reporter Dan Peltier found there are diverse responses among operators who had been sending tourists to Myanmar.

We are not saying there are easy, knee-jerk answers to a complex situation in Myanmar. But this is a conversation that needs to be had.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

Why Hotels Need a Comprehensive Room Inventory and Pricing Strategy [SPONSORED]

Skift Tech Forum will explore the tech disruptions happening in retailing, merchandising, and distribution of travel, with customer centricity as the connecting thread running across all the topics.

Myanmar Genocide Has the Travel Industry Grappling for Strategies

Travel is the world's largest industry and should be taking a leadership position about Myanmar to publicly condemn ethnic cleansing, and show the country's military government that tourism dollars aren't unconditional if it supports crimes against humanity.

CEOs of Expedia and Priceline Group — What Have You Done for Me Lately?

The Priceline Group is in the catbird seat in online travel — for now — while Expedia is a much smaller company with so much ground to make up. Expedia's Okerstrom is laudably talking tough about his ambitions to propel his company forward. But 2017, so far, has been anything but easy for the two newbie CEOs.

Air France-KLM Joins Rivals in Adding Distribution Surcharge

Air France-KLM had hinted at adding a distribution surcharge as far back as 2015, so the announcement doesn't come as a surprise. What it does tell us is that airlines are increasingly confident that the positives of introducing such a fee outweigh any negatives.

How the Disenfranchised Navigate the World in a Time of Permanxiety

Discrimination has long caused travel anxiety for demographics underserved by the travel industry. Historically, travelers looked to their respective tribes for intel, but the burgeoning friend economy may be reshaping that concept.

Skift Call November 7: A Framework for Overtourism Solutions

When your city sees demonstrations against tourists — or even expressions of discontent beyond peaceful protests — you know you have a problem. Destinations around the world are struggling to find the right balance between welcoming visitors and barring them. We'll discuss a framework for figuring out solutions.

Visit Florida Faces Uphill Fight to Woo Back Canadians

Money talks no matter where you're from. More of Visit Florida's partners will need to dish out deeper deals if the state wants to get serious about presenting itself as affordable to Canadians when, in reality, popular attractions like Disney World only get more expensive.

One in Five Amadeus Bookings Subject to New Fees as Air France Adds Surcharge

Air France's decision to join Lufthansa and British Airways in leveling surcharges means that 20 percent of the airplane tickets booked through Amadeus would be subject to the new fees. Expect Amadeus to try to undermine the effort with every muscle it has.

Airbnb Might Buy Wyndham's European Vacation Rental Business

Can we say we told you so? As Airbnb matures and readies itself for an IPO, scaling up its traditional vacation rental market share will be crucial, and buying Wyndham's European business would give the company a big boost. On the other hand, don't count out AccorHotels. Then again, why is Wyndham selling this. Why not keep it to compete against Airbnb, HomeAway, and AccorHotels?

Amadeus Signs Premier Inn for Hotel Services While a Key Rollout Gets Delayed

In the context of Amadeus Hospitality's progress, the Premier Inn deal gives a semblance of traction to woo other chains even as the complexity of the InterContinental Hotels Group rollout seems to have slowed things up.

The lenses through which we view the travel ecosystem are often heavily distorted. The first step toward countering it is acknowledgement.

Air France-KLM Joins Rivals in Adding Distribution Surcharge

Interview: Air France-KLM CEO on Millennials and Unions of All Kinds

Is there a tougher job in the airline industry than making Air France more nimble? It's an airline that prides itself on its systems and procedures. But to compete forcefully in the 21st century, an airline must take chances. Air France needs to be more, in that regard, like its Dutch sibling, KLM.

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