Traveling Blog: American's Pricey Fuel Plan + Thomas Cook Leans on Expedia + Red Tide Tourism Challenge

Last Chance to Register For Skift Global Forum

September 24, 2018

Editor's Note

As Skift prepares for a crazy busy week with our first Skift Restaurants Forum and our Skift Global Forum taking place in New York City, we encourage you to pay extra-close attention to us either through our newsletters, mobile app, social feeds, or website.

Today we offer you our last tease for Skift Global Forum with a Q&A preview with American Airlines President Robert Isom, who will be on stage Thursday answering questions from Senior Aviation Business Editor Brian Sumers. Isom has been one of the main architects in recent years of trying to make American more nimble. No easy task for the world's largest airline. Isom talks about the impact of higher fuel prices, multiple passenger offerings, and global partnerships. It's good stuff, but just a fraction of the insights we will bring you from all our Forums this week.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

Skift Global Forum: What to Expect

We're just days away from our flagship Global Forum, which brings together Skift loyalists and newbies alike to collaborate, network, brainstorm, and learn. Only 3 seats left! Grab yours before we sell out.

American has spent a fortune in the past five years trying to improve passenger experience and employee relations. The airline has made many strides, but it still has work to do on both counts.

Thomas Cook Looks to Expedia for Vacation Rental Access

Offering vacation rentals to customers might be some way off, but it shows Thomas Cook is at least thinking creatively about its place in the travel industry. If it is something people want — and they clearly do — then the company needs to at least consider it.

Eventbrite's Surging IPO Shines Light on Fragmented Event Tech Sector

Eventbrite is a different beast than most event management companies out there, since it also acts as a ticketing marketplace for consumers. This doesn't mean that the wider event space won't benefit from the increased awareness of event technology as a growing and profitable sector.

Florida Extends Tourism Boost to Gulf Coast Locales Hurt by Red Tide

Much of Florida's beaches remain pristine and algae-free, and other parts of the state are seeing a boost as tourists relocate their vacations. This year's red tide is the latest wake-up call to climate change that the state's tourism industry has had to grapple with.

The New York Times Adds Day Tours to Grab Piece of Booming Tours and Activities Sector

The newspaper business continues to go through an evolution in the digital era, all while the travel industry is thriving and demand grows for tours and activities. City Tours probably won't be the biggest revenue generator for the Times anytime soon, but it could do a lot to make the publisher cooler and more relevant.

Flight Centre Buys Umapped to Boost Tech Capability

Most of Flight Centre's acquisitions to date have been about adding market share and a broader international footprint, but the Australian company is now looking for tech advantages. It's hoping Canadian itinerary management platform Umapped will raise its game.

An Emirates-Etihad merger makes a lot of sense. Emirates may not be as strong as it once was, but it's still a well-run global airline that strikes fear into established competitors. Eithad, however, is in rough shape. It could use a makeover.

Booking Holdings' Agoda Takes a Distinctive Approach on Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb may have popularized the idea of travelers staying in homes. But Booking Holdings is using its Agoda brand to make a push to gain share through discounting and price guarantees.

How Hotels Need to Balance the Amenities We Want Versus Those We Actually Use

There's a very careful consideration to be made here by hoteliers, and even if guests don't use a particular amenity as much as they think they will, that doesn't necessarily mean that a hotel should get rid of it.

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