Traveling Blog: Surprise Direct-Booking Victors + Low-Cost Transatlantic Ambitions + Lux Travel Glass Ceiling

November 1, 2017

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Note From the Editor

Anxiety about the world around us has become a constant in our daily lives, as well as during travels. That's a reality that prompted us to explore the topic of travel in an age of permanxiety. In a story today, we weave together real-life accounts that drive home the way fear and uncertainty play into the decision-making process for travelers all over the globe.

Sometimes a harsh reminder of that anxiety strikes very close to home, like on a bicycle path in Lower Manhattan on a sunny Halloween afternoon. And even though we here in Skift's New York City office urged each other to be safe when we left Tuesday night, we know — from the example we've seen in New York and elsewhere — that no level of fear will keep travelers from visiting this city or similarly affected destinations worldwide.

— Hannah Sampson, News Editor

How Airbnb Ensures Business Traveler Safety in an Age of Permanxiety [SPONSORED]

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.

Hotel Direct-Booking Pushes Really Worked and Owners Were Big Winners

The bigger question, however, is whether these campaigns will still work in 2017 and beyond; offering discounted rates can only last for so long. Hotels need to start thinking about how they can ensure this momentum continues in the long run without having to use discounted rates.

Travelers Get Candid About Their Struggles With Permanxiety

The travel industry at large speaks eagerly and often about creating positive experiences for travelers. This contrasts heavily, though, with the fears and anxieties experienced by real travelers from diverse backgrounds.

Women in Luxury Travel Share Perspectives on the Glass Ceiling

Although women are particularly well-positioned to lead in the nuanced luxury market, it will take the effort and collaboration of men and women already within the industry to bring about change and more equal leadership teams.

IAG Is Serious About Growing Its Low-Cost, Long-Haul Airline

IAG's testing of the low-cost, long-haul market with a virtual airline seems to have paid off. Its success shows that the model is here to stay. We'll be keeping a close eye on how this affects the legacy carriers, including those in IAG's own brand stable.

Sabre Stays Profitable After Layoffs as the Company Vows to Become Nimbler

Investors liked Sabre's third quarter revenue and profit report. But the verdict is still out on whether the company is relying on cheap fixes like layoffs to hit its targets or if it is laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Luxury Travel Brands Can't Afford to Be So Far Behind in Digital Engagement

Social profiles and websites are the new shop window. Luxury brands can no longer afford to see their digital presences fall so far behind the quality of their products and services.

United Airlines has a new head of loyalty starting this week at the same time that major changes are happening within the program.

Business Travelers Rarely Use Virtual Payments In Another Sign of Companies' Slow Adoption

Most companies still give their business travelers corporate cards or ask them to pay upfront for later reimbursement. Given the rapid development of mobile and virtual payment methods for consumers, corporate travel is lagging behind yet again.

Loews Hotels Is Taking a Contrarian Approach With Its Asset-Heavy Strategy

It'll be interesting to see what works better for relatively smaller hotel companies like Loews, Red Lion, and even Hyatt with each of their respectively divergent business strategies: traditional asset ownership; totally asset-light; and asset recycling.

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