Traveling Blog: Travel Agents Target Consumers + Secrets of SXSW + Philly Tourism Lessons

August 23, 2018

Editor's Note

Nothing quite gets the conversation going in travel industry circles than a discussion of brands. They are still critically important for distinguishing who you are and what you stand for. That's why brands so often get tinkered with.

Today we are offering three stories that hit on brand strategies. ASTA, the trade group of travel agents, is recasting its members as travel advisors and is launching a consumer ad campaign to showcase how the business is reaching a new generation of travelers. Our book excerpt on the South by Southwest festival in Austin showcases how a brand can endure but change readily with the times. And finally, our profile of Meryl Levitz, the retiring CEO of Visit Philadelphia, offers lessons on how one person can remain dedicated to evolving a single city as a brand over the course of 40 years. As consumers, we often can take brands for granted, but as you will read below, travel executives never stop thinking about what makes a brand unique.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

Register Now For Skift Restaurants Forum

Who Will Be on Stage at Skift Global Forum?

James McBride, CEO of Nihi Hotels, is a global hotelier who has led some of the world's premier hotels during his 25-year professional career. In just five weeks, McBride will discuss the future of luxury at Skift Global Forum. Have you secured your spot yet?

There is something happening at the newly named American Society of Travel Advisors. It not only has a new name, but has a new energy and confidence about where it is headed as it reaches out directly to a new generation of travelers.

South by Southwest's Formula for How to Keep Them Coming Back to Austin

Is it tough to keep it cool and relevant? You bet. But the South by Southwest festival in Austin has found some secrets to packing 'em in every year. SXSW is one of the subjects in Skift's recent sixth anniversary book, For the Long Haul, Lessons on Business Longevity, whose chapters we are excerpting for you here.

Retiring Visit Philadelphia CEO Reflects on 4 Decades on Tourism's Front Lines

Levitz uses her weaknesses as strengths and has remained a humble leader despite the outsize impact she has had on Philadelphia's booming tourism industry during the past four decades. Every destination can learn something from her leadership.

Video: Uber Eats Boss Says 'We Like to Grow Things Quick'

Uber Eats is a bright spot for its parent company and the best example of what it can do if it plays nice rather than breaks things (and laws).

Why United Is Considering Putting Flatbed Seats on New Domestic Jets

Here's another reminder that airlines are fiercely competitive. Until recently, U.S. airlines generally weren't considering adding premium business class seats on domestic routes beyond New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. But a few years ago, JetBlue disrupted the market with its Mint business class, and now United is considering a similar move.

What's Behind Blackstone's Deal for Events Tech Firm PSAV?

After a failed initial public offering, PSAV is now in the hands of Blackstone. Time will tell if the move ends up increasing costs for event professionals as PSAV inevitably looks to expand its scale in the marketplace. The competition between hotels selling their own offerings and companies like PSAV will be fascinating to watch.

Who says airlines don't prioritize passenger comfort? As long as carriers calculate passengers are willing to pay for a better experience, they will provide it.

Marriott and Starwood Face Speed Bumps in Loyalty Merger

The planned integration of Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards did not go entirely smoothly this weekend. Some members were not shy about expressing their unhappiness.

Power of the New Marriott: Latest Skift Research Report

The monumental task of integrating Starwood continues almost two years later at Marriott, with all eyes on the Sheraton brand turnaround and the merging of the loyalty programs. Both could mean millions in incremental fee revenue, and efforts to reduce hotel-owner costs aren't going unnoticed.

For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.

You received this email because you are subscribed to Skift Daily Newsletter from Skift.