Traveling Blog: Accor's Merger Strategy + Instagrammer Turns Travel Advisor + EasyJet's Brexit Optimism

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November 21, 2018

Editor's Note

Anyone who still doubts the relevance of travel advisors needs to read contributor Maria Lenhart's piece below in which she speaks to the CEOs of Virgin Voyages and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection about their new cruise lines' plans to work closely with agents. The takeaway for advisors: Big brands matter, especially as you look to boost your roster of luxury clients. From big brands to a scrappy entrepreneur, don't miss Executive Editor Dennis Schaal's profile of Justyna Smith, who turned her passion for Instagramming into a growing travel agent business that required her to add three staffers in three years. Two great stories that showcase how we cover travel advisors in fresh, new ways.

Skift will be taking Thanksgiving off, but we will resume our newsletter on Friday. For all our U.S. readers, have a happy holiday, and for everyone else, check out our website and mobile app for the latest news on Thursday.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

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New Skift Insights Deck: Building a Diversified Distribution Strategy for the Modern Hotel

With the sale of a majority stake in the company's owned and leased hotel business, AccorHotels is a more stable, nimble company, with the ability to pursue additional acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. In our latest research report, we break down what going asset-light means for the company and tackle ways of measuring the success of its M&A strategy.

Instagrammer Turned Her Following Into a Luxury Travel Advisor Business

Justyna Smith built up a modest Instagram following, and she's used that, plus word of mouth, to run a four-woman luxury travel agency that's making money. Many businesses decide to market wherever the customers are; in Smith's case, the customers came to her and the business followed.

EasyJet Soars Above Brexit Black Clouds

Companies have had a couple of years to get used to the idea that the UK is leaving the European Union. The biggest problem they still have is knowing the exact relationship between the two come next March. EasyJet thinks it is in good shape whatever happens.

Ritz and Virgin Cruise CEOs Think Agents Will Benefit From Brand Clout

As they ramp up their outreach to travel advisors, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages are both presenting themselves as new and different options for luxury clients. They say this means agents will be able to sell cruises to those who don't normally cruise, but who are intrigued by the brands.

Why Luxury Companies Need to Pay Attention to the Newly Wealthy

Just as a gold digger goes after an older mate with deep pockets, so the luxury market has traditionally kept a focus on the mature top 5 percent. But as the world of wealth evolves, companies need to broaden their horizons to consider the new and younger groups that are becoming eligible for elite status.

Travel Advisor Innovation Report: Virgin and Ritz Cruise Lines Have Brand Loyalty Hopes

Will Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages, two high-end newbie cruise lines, be able to attract passengers who have never chosen a cruise vacation? The two brands are counting on it.

Most Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest members enjoyed a seamless integration earlier this year when the two programs merged. For some, however, latent issues are still hampering the experience. We asked five Starwood members about their journeys.

Airbnb Creates Niches for a New Generation of Vacation Rental Startups: Skift Research E-Book

Airbnb has built itself into the third most richly valued startup in the world over the last decade. But business never stands still, and as Airbnb harvests its gains, the latest generation of alternative accommodation startups are collecting all of the new venture capital in the space.

Vegans Find New Options as Part of Next Wave of Food Tourism

Tour operators only launch tours that they see demand for, and in Intrepid Travel's case, there's no question that vegan travelers appreciate the attention and effort to design food tours that are just as delicious as any other.

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