Traveling Blog: Gun Violence Impact on U.S. Travel + How Melia Seizes Opportunity + Hospitality's Biggest Challenges

June 25, 2018

Editor's Note

At a recent travel conference, our tourism reporter Dan Peltier heard some people chatting that foreign travelers had trepidations, beyond Donald Trump and his policies, about coming to the U.S. He heard that mass shootings may also be scaring people away. So Peltier decided to find out more by surveying travelers in three countries that send lots of tourists to the U.S. — the UK, Germany, and Japan. Skift does its own surveys through Google from time to time and the results of this one may surprise you. See Peltier's story below.

On another, much happier note: The Skift team will be #outskiftin this week on our annual company retreat, this year in Puerto Rico. Living the brand means we live and breathe what we talk about day in and day out at Skift. Puerto Rico is in need of a tourism revival to rebuild its economy, so we're there to see it all firsthand, and take it all in. So the pace of stories here at Skift may be a tad slower this week, but expect important insights and new coverage from our trip in the weeks ahead.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

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Skift data show gun violence hasn't led to mass trip cancellations in the United States for international travelers but shootings have definitely caused many to pause and consider whether the U.S. is a safe destination to visit. The country is much safer than many others, but the White House hasn't helped get that message out there.

Interview: Oracle Hospitality's New Boss Looks to the Cloud for Growth

Oracle Hospitality is the market leader in selling hotel tech software. But the company has made some missteps. It is adjusting course, and two weeks ago it appointed a new top boss, Greg Webb. The industry will watch his moves closely.

Video: Melia Hotels COO on Turning Crisis Into Opportunity

Spanish hotelier Melia Hotels is determined to show the world that it offers more than just sun-and-sand resorts.

Project-Based Business Trips Are More Expensive Than Traditional Corporate Travel

Project-based business trips are more costly than other types of business travel in the U.S., but account for only a small percentage of the overall trips taken each year. This may rise, though, as the manufacturing and construction sectors continue to grow.

Creating Hospitality in an Inhospitable Place

Creating a hospitality experience at scale in the middle of one of the world's largest deserts is quite the challenge. But from the isolation springs problem solving, tight and cohesive teams, and having to make do and get creative.

By the time we publish this, we wouldn't be surprised if AccorHotels has already purchased or invested in another business.

Time Is Against UK Regional Airline Flybe as Challenges Mount

Flybe's management team will be hoping the airline's latest turnaround strategy works, where others have failed. The carrier has plenty of challenges and is operating in a very tough environment. Might it find things easier as part of a bigger aviation group?

Interview: Travelport Looks to Solve Hotel Distribution Problems With Blockchain

Some think blockchain can help decentralize travel distribution, which has historically been dominated by a small handful of players. These entrenched companies, however, see blockchain as a technology that can help fix some of the inefficiencies in the travel distribution marketplace without fully disrupting the status quo.

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