Traveling Blog: Southwest Does More With Less + Bermuda's Tourism Threat + Red Lion Gets Knighted

April 5, 2018

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Editor's Note

No precedent exists for what Bermuda is doing, which is placing a ban on same-sex marriages after it legalized them. Tourism officials have been mum on this, leading the rest of the world, and specifically LGBTQ tourists, to believe they've fallen in line with the island government's decision. But some Bermudians are not staying quiet, filing a lawsuit this week — supported by some travel industry players — to reverse the ban that goes into effect in June. Skift's Dan Peltier and Hannah Sampson look at what's at stake for Bermuda's travel industry, an insightful read and a lesson for other destinations pondering similar short-sighted moves.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

CEO Interview: Chris Cahill of AccorHotels Luxury Brands on the Company's Custom Approach to Wellness

The conventional wisdom is that airline passengers will do anything to save a buck. That's often true, but not always. Southwest has recently added more flights that depart before 6 a.m. and arrive after 10 p.m., and its load factor has suffered.

Bermuda Fears Tourism Hit as Same-Sex Marriage Reversal Draws Lawsuit

By banning same-sex marriage, Bermuda is being the wrong kind of trailblazer, many travelers, companies, and human rights organizations would argue. We've seen how much similar discriminatory legislation has stung other destinations and left a bad impression.

Civil Rights Park Sites Get Funding Boost for Milestone Year

It seems like the Trump administration is trying to support civil rights sites during a very important milestone year. But the funding for the site grants comes from controversial oil drilling revenues the administration is seeking to grow, and possibly expand to other national park sites.

Six Flags Chases Global Growth With Saudi Arabia Theme Park Deal

This development might be the worst-kept secret in theme park history. We're not sure what took Six Flags so long to seal the deal, but we do know the arrangement fits squarely into the operator's strategic goals — as long as everything goes according to plan.

Red Lion Is Buying Knights Inn From Wyndham for $27 Million

Red Lion has made good on its promise to buy up more brands you've likely never heard of (or in this case, remembered much).

Event Security Takes on Fresh Importance for Meeting Planners

The meetings and events industry is still working to figure out a better approach to security. For the time being, safety should be the priority for planners as they look to stage new events, even if a destination doesn't seem particularly risky.

Why Qantas Flies a Nonstop Every Day Between New York and Los Angeles

Tag flights — when an airline lands in one international city and then almost immediately takes off for another — are disappearing from aviation as more airlines launch ultra-long-haul nonstops that make the stop unnecessary. But Qantas will probably keep its Los Angeles-New York nonstop for awhile.

Low-fare airlines got there first. Now, big carriers are launching basic economy fares across the Atlantic. Expect some confusion as their customers figure out the rules.

Tenants of New Airbnb-Branded Complex in Florida Feel Blindsided

It's one thing to know when you're signing a lease that your apartment building will serve as a de facto Airbnb hotel. It's another to be "blindsided" months later after you've already made it your home.

Travel + Leisure and the Problem of Pay to Play

A recent change in policy at Travel + Leisure is setting the luxury travel agent world abuzz. But T + L's move to monetize its A-List also says something about the changing state of travel journalism.

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