Traveling Blog: Investor Blahs for JetBlue + Hot Tourism Marketing Trends + Luxe Brands Hit Campus

October 3, 2018

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Editor's Note

JetBlue held its annual investor day Tuesday. It was a chance for the sixth largest U.S. carrier to re-energize Wall Street about its prospects. After all, JetBlue shares have been down 29 percent over the past three years. That's a serious ho-hum response from investors.

But JetBlue failed to inspire, with its shares closing essentially flat at the end of trading on Tuesday, to $18.93. Its message is clearly befuddling analysts. We don't need massive scale. We don't need to dominate market share in our cities. The airline insists that a laser focus on three U.S. markets — New York, Boston, and South Florida through Ft. Lauderdale — will see payoff. But JetBlue has a history of asking Wall Street to just trust it. Senior Aviation Business Editor Brian Sumers has the highlights below from the investor day presentations, but we all know that when it comes to Wall Street, trust and patience eventually run out.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

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JetBlue Lays Out a Growth Plan by Doubling Down on 3 U.S. Cities

United President Scott Kirby likes to say that if an airline is not first in market share in a market, it's as good as being last. JetBlue executives likely don't agree. They generally argue that JetBlue, America's sixth largest carrier, is big enough to compete with more established competitors.

4 Trends Defining Tourism Marketing in 2018

We've seen a lot of tried-and-true marketing tactics from destinations this year, but we also saw some newer, smarter strategies on how to use the masses of content and opinions available these days, thanks to social media.

Luxury Brands Launch College Tours to Meet Maturing Gen Zers

Creating customized college packages is smart for several reasons: Parents are happy to pay for a less stressful experience and young affluent teens become comfortable with a brand during a critical and memorable moment, leading the way for future business.

Cheaper Flights Come to Argentina Even as the Economy Continues to Struggle

Argentina's tough economic situation has been characterized by devalued currency and rising consumer prices. But at the same time, other factors have led to the introduction of cheaper airfares and more players in the airline market. That's good for travelers.

The Restaurant Industry Is Losing Its Young Workforce

Young people are increasingly interested in long-term restaurant career paths, but many still believe that the industry only offers dead-end jobs. Figuring out how to change that perception and build a supportive work environment is going to make all the difference when it comes to filling open positions and decreasing turnover.

Despite everyone's happy talk, this deal smells like Hyatt was disenchanted by Oasis' performance and eager to unload its investment stake. That aside, the deal boosts Vacasa in an area where it has been underserved to date.

Oyo's $1 Billion Fundraising Raises Strategy Questions for Hotel Chains

Hotel groups may be tempted to dismiss Oyo as a company focused on budget travelers. But Oyo is growing faster than you can say "Softbank," the name of its most important funder. Procrastinating foreign brands risk playing a game of catch-up.

Hilton Wants to Change the Conversation About Direct Booking With New Ad Campaign

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.

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