Traveling Blog: Race For the Connected Room + Future of Cruising + Car Rental Comeback

November 14, 2017

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Note From the Editor

Two of our stories today take a look at the way travel companies are thinking about the future, and how that might look and feel to travelers. Hospitality Editor Deanna Ting explains how Marriott and Hilton are both testing superconnected rooms with the goal of better anticipating needs and delivering a more personalized experience.

Likewise, Royal Caribbean Cruises just unveiled its own lineup of tech innovation, with the goal of making the cruise experience easier, more seamless, and a little more fun. The key, as one expert points out, is making sure new technology is easy to use rather than frustrating. No one wants a smart room that makes them feel dumb.

— Hannah Sampson, News Editor

Video: How Krystle Mobayeni, CEO and Founder of BentoBox Deepens the Restaurant Experience [SPONSORED]

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It was only a matter of time before the big brands started rolling this smart-room technology. But what will be even more interesting is seeing which brand's approach works better in a hospitality setting, and is more appealing not only to guests but to hotel owners, too.

Royal Caribbean Is Rolling out New Tech to Make Cruising Easier

The cruise line tech race is heating up, and that means travelers should prepare for some changes. While ideas such as virtual reality dining are fun, more fundamental innovations including facial recognition, easier activity reservations, and drink delivery should have a greater impact on the cruise experience.

Langham Hotels Parent Reinvents Eaton Hotels for Socially Minded Millennials

So many brands today say they're committed to social causes — but how many of them actually stick to those commitments? And how many of those companies are actually sustainable or profitable? Will Eaton Workshop be an exception?

Video: Lindblad CEO on Cruising Despite Environmental Risks

When it comes to environmental impact, major cruise lines have a hard time sleeping at night. The smaller ones only occasionally wake up in a cold sweat.

Rental Car Companies Have Inched Their Way Back From the Brink

Now that the car rental giants have sold off their extra cars, they can focus on continuing to grow revenue. But is there really a long-term future for rental cars in a world that has embraced ridesharing?

Cathay Pacific Bucks the Trend in Rewards Boost — Business of Loyalty

Updates to Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo loyalty program may be a thinly veiled effort to bring business back to the company. Either way, frequent flyers on the airline are in for a loyalty bonus soon.

When Priceline sneezes, the online travel industry catches a cold.

Interview: Why In-Flight Entertainment Screens May Persist on Long-Haul Routes

Airline in-flight entertainment systems never age well. They're expensive, and they're often heavy, so airlines burn more fuel having them on board. Why do they persist? Passengers — even those who bring their own devices — tend to like them. But can airlines keep installing these systems forever?

Travel Warnings Create Global Worry Map For Anxious Tourists

Travel warnings and alerts are important to many travelers, and any country that cares about tourism tries to avoid getting on such a list. But the U.S. State Department's list is often selective and political, and isn't an exhaustive list of places where travelers could face danger.

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