Traveling Blog: WeChat Travel Strategies + Event Tech Simplified + Delta-American Collaboration

January 24, 2018

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Note From the Editor

There's an age-old question that destination marketers around the world have to consider: How do we get more of the travelers we want? Today, we examine that question in two ways. In our latest Skift Research Report, WeChat Marketing Strategies for Global Travel Brands 2018, research associate Meghan Carty digs into the ways travel brands around the world are using the platform to attract Chinese visitors. Turns out it's not enough to just take your Instagram strategy and apply it to WeChat.

Tourism reporter Dan Peltier comes at the issue from another angle, this time with a focus on the Bahamas. The destination has been seeing an increasing number of visitors, but many of them are lower-spending cruise passengers. Now tourism officials need to figure out how to get those visitors to spend more — and reach travelers not already coming by sea.

— Hannah Sampson, News Editor

Start Here

New Skift Research Report: WeChat Strategies for Global Travel Brands 2018

WeChat may be key for travel brands and destinations looking to appeal to Chinese outbound travelers. However, brands need to go beyond simply copying and pasting content from western social media to see the kind of payoff they are hoping for.

Interview: The Future of Event Tech Is the Fight for Simplicity

Is the meeting and events space on the cusp of a distribution revolution? There's still a ton of work to be done, but signs are promising if hotel chains become more engaged.

Megatrends 2018

Travel Megatrends 2018: Personal Fulfillment Is the New Ultimate Luxury

For luxury travelers, an experience in itself is no longer enough. The personal fulfillment and self improvement one gains from an experience are taking precedence, and luxury brands can help travelers reach this goal.

Restaurant Megatrends 2018: The Real World Complicates Ambitious Delivery Algorithms

Delivery companies have done well to incorporate as much efficiency-supporting technology as possible, but the real barrier to total optimization will continue to be the complicated logistics of real life.

Passengers don't think a lot about interline agreements. But they're extremely customer-friendly. If a flight is delayed or canceled, an airline can put the customer on its competitor. Delta and American canceled their deal in 2015. Now it's back. That's good news.

The Bahamas Has Too Many Cruise Ships and Not Enough Hotel High Rollers

Many cruise passengers sail because it's a more economical way to visit a destination. Caribbean countries like the Bahamas have known this for years and are getting more ambitious about trying to attract more flights — a perennial problem — and hoteliers that can help do a better job at growing their economies in the long term.

EasyJet Tightens Its Relationship With Travel Startups

We keep waiting for conclusive proof that accelerators aren't just kindergartens for entrepreneurs. But the early word from easyJet and Founders Factory is upbeat.

Jumeirah Skips Luxury in Favor of 'Upscale Casual' for New Brand

High-end luxury isn't for everyone, and it makes sense for Jumeirah to explore the upper midscale space; the upscale millennial travelers of today are the future luxury globetrotters of tomorrow.

United Covets Competitors' Profit Margins in Smaller U.S. Cities

United Airlines plans to grow capacity by four percent to six percent for each of the next three years. That may not sound like a lot, but the U.S. is a mature air market, so this is a big deal. But United President Scott Kirby said the airline shrunk too much under previous management and must get its mojo back.

EasyJet Is Making Less Money From Bag Fees Than Its Competitors

It's difficult to tell much from the first quarter results, but EasyJet seems on track to have a decent year. Acquiring some of Air Berlin's operations will also enable it to grow in the lucrative German market.

Onefinestay Looks to Personalization to Hook More Guests

It's about time Onefinestay leveraged some of the know-how from AccorHotels's concierge business. If done well, a personalized experiences product is likely to go down well with its guests.

Whether or not you agree with this, it's certainly an idea worth contemplating as everyone and everything in the travel industry are beginning to converge. Whatever you decide, please don't shoot the messenger.

American and Alaska Are Giving Away Elite Status — Business of Loyalty

If these new promotions are any indication, airline loyalty programs may be once more warming up to frequent flyers — for varied reasons, but out of necessity.

Voice Search Will Change Travel Marketing Faster Than You Think

Voice will change the current travel marketing funnel much faster than we think. Savvy marketers and technologists should begin thinking about ways to make an impact on this burgeoning channel.

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