Traveling Blog: Delta’s Wi-Fi Promise + Marriott Addresses Loyalty Concerns + Expedia’s Local Push

October 1, 2018

Editor's Note

Our most successful Skift Global Forum so far closed out on Friday with high-concept ideas, a return to practicality, and talk of the human touch. The two-day event capped the busiest week in Skift's six-year history, starting Monday with our first Restaurants Forum, then a series of company announcements showcasing our expansion.

Global Forum kept the ball rolling, as executives from across the travel landscape came together to field our questions. The result was a host of smart takeaways on travel trends, challenges, and new opportunities. Please enjoy the dialogue from Friday's sessions below. Be sure to check back with Skift for Forum follow-ups that will include a digital magazine, full video interviews, and more great analysis.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

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Delta CEO Declares Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Is Coming

It can't happen soon enough.

Marriott CEO to Unhappy Loyalty Members: 'Hang With Us'

Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson knows that not everyone is thrilled with the merged Marriott-Starwood loyalty program. But at Skift Global Forum, he made the case for why they should be — and said he hopes they'll come around.

Why the Cruise Industry Stands Out for Diversity in Its Leadership

Cruising has embraced diversity in leadership and diversity in experiences for consumers in recent years. This bodes well for the industry as it continues a concerted effort to get more people to try cruising.

Expedia Wants to Become More Locally Relevant Worldwide

Rather than push Expedia Group to expand horizontally, CEO Mark Okerstrom has been focused in the past year on improving the company's execution in several key markets with its existing brands and loyal customers. The effort to consolidate gains makes intuitive sense.

Four Seasons CEO to Suitors: Thanks, But No Thanks

As a large independent hotel company with a distinctive luxury brand, Four Seasons is always going to be a takeover target but it sounds like it is more likely to be a buyer rather than a seller.

Uber's Quest to Hit on Another Moonshot Product

Uber needs to fix its culture and hit another moonshot beyond ridesharing. Nobody is quite sure where it will come from, but the result of investments in flying cars, autonomous cars, and a logistics network for businesses will be clear soon.

Why Hermès Makes It Tough to Find Its Products

Is there a brand out there with more cachet in the luxury world than Hermès? There's a reason for it. The company manages expansion and inventory in a prudent way.

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Why do airlines want to be retailers? What's their transformation journey? 300 professionals will try to answer those questions at the first IATA Airline Industry Retailing Symposium! Learn more.

Hotel industry to consumers: You should still stop clicking around, (obviously!), but you should also expect a lot more from us when you (1) book direct with us, (2) join our loyalty programs, and (3) stay in our hotels.

Hyatt CEO Says Hotels Will Ban Hate Groups: 'We Need to Draw the Line'

Hyatt and other hotels are increasingly in the business of opening their doors to all who need a place to sleep, as long as they pack a peaceful and inclusive attitude with them.

Luxury Travel Advisors Aim to Put the Person Back in Personalization

Luxury travel advisors can thrive with the help of tech, rather than fear it, according to Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, and Jack Ezon, founder of Embark. Their claim makes intuitive sense.

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