Luxury Hotel CEO Steps Down Amid Coronavirus Relief Loan Pushback But Controversy Lingers

Michael Barera  / Wikimedia

The Ashton (pictured) in Ft. Worth, Texas, is among the Ashford Hospitality Trust properties receiving coronavirus relief funding. Michael Barera / Wikimedia

Skift Take: Douglas Kessler’s resignation only addresses one part of a luxury hotel portfolio tied to Monty Bennett receiving tens of millions of dollars in small business relief.

— Cameron Sperance

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Farelogix Pushes Seat Distancing Tech for Airlines After the Sabre Merger Collapses

American

American Airlines has been installing new interiors. The carrier is a significant customer of Farelogix, an airline tech vendor. American

Skift Take: Farelogix CEO Jim Davidson says the pandemic presents opportunities. Yet despite that brave face, it’s hard to see Farelogix facing anything but revenue declines during the crisis now that it’s lost the Sabre acquisition.

— Sean O’Neill

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Southwest Moves Ahead of Schedule to Bring On Distribution Partners to Boost Corp Travel Bookings

Associated Press

Southwest Airlines jets at an airport. Associated Press

Skift Take: It’s a significant step since the launch of Southwest Business last year, designed to tap into the travel management community. Before the crisis, roughly a third of the airline’s traffic was corporate travel. This move could help it boost that market share.

— Matthew Parsons

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Air France Finally Secures $7.6 Billion State Rescue Package

Vincent Genevay  / Unsplash

Air France is to receive state aid worth $7.66 billion to soften the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic. Vincent Genevay / Unsplash

Skift Take: The waiting has paid off. The European Commission’s seal of approval will be welcomed by Air France, but raise a few eyebrows among other carriers — in particular Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary.

— Matthew Parsons

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Destinations Meet Darwin: How These 23 U.S. Cities Are Adapting to Survive

Cris Pierry  / Visual Hunt

Seattle’s artists are keeping the energy alive downtown during the quiet of the pandemic by using the protective plywood on suspended businesses as canvases. Cris Pierry / Visual Hunt

Skift Take: Take a look at what these cities have pulled together with limited resources under the weight of this pandemic. It’s a true testament to resiliency and creativity.

— Matt Stiker

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U.S. Travel’s Lobby Group Gestures Toward Reopening With New Health Guidelines

Michael Probst  / Associated Press

A pilot wearing a face-mask prepares to board an aircraft. Michael Probst / Associated Press

Skift Take: The U.S. travel industry wants to restore traveler confidence with new health and safety measures. A 15-page report outlining hygienic best practice is a start, but more is needed for it to become standard across all sectors of the industry.

— Rosie Spinks

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Italian Mountain Retreat Looks to Summer With Hope — And Trepidation

Luca Bruno  / Associated Press

Italian Tennis Federation coaches Daniele Brasi, 41, right, is flanked by his brother Luca Brasi, 55, as they pose for a portrait on their tennis court in Rovetta, near Bergamo, northern Italy. The brothers, who lost an uncle to Covid-19, run one of the biggest Italian Tennis Federation centers in the valley. Luca Bruno / Associated Press

Skift Take: The people of the Val Seriana valley in northern Italy offer a glimpse into the anticipation — and anxieties — of tourism businesses looking to this uncertain summer ahead.

— Tom Lowry

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UK Mulls a Variety of Testing Requirements for Travelers

Paul Hackett  / Reuters

Commuters look at the departures board in 2013 as they wait for trains at King’s Cross station in London. British authorities are mulling new rules for commuters. Paul Hackett / Reuters

Skift Take: Will the UK’s safeguards for commuters and travelers be rigorous enough to protects the public health during a reopening? A more details plan will be forthcoming.

— Dennis Schaal

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