A Funding Crisis at Destinations Spurs New Tourism Marketing Models

Los Cabos Tourism Board

Los Cabos Tourism Board established a private sector funded trust months before Covid hit. Los Cabos Tourism Board

Skift Take: Since April, destination marketing organizations have been forced to seek funding beyond revenue from hotel bed taxes, which aren’t expected back fully for four years. What’s emerging? A blended DMO model in which advocacy, corporations, and communities play key roles.

— Lebawit Lily Girma

Read the Complete Story On Skift

100 Million Chinese Projected to Travel Overseas in 2021: How Realistic Is That?

Photo courtesy of Switzerland Tourism

Chinese free independent travelers exploring Switzerland. Photo courtesy of Switzerland Tourism

Skift Take: It would be fantastic if 2021 would see 100 million mainland Chinese traveling overseas. The first huge swell is touted to begin during the Lunar New Year holiday in February. But like a horoscope, it’s just a prediction. Still, destinations are wise not to be caught off-guard should the big moment happens.

— Raini Hamdi

Read the Complete Story On Skift

Hilton’s Quest for Breakeven 8 Months Into the Pandemic

Kenneth C. Zirkel  / Wikimedia

Hilton attributes its third quarter financial rebound to major cost cuts as well as travel demand beginning to revive. Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia

Skift Take: Hilton’s financials are quickly heading in the right direction, but the company — and the greater hotel industry — need to remain cautious about second and third waves of the coronavirus putting a halt to the positive momentum.

— Cameron Sperance

Read the Complete Story On Skift

Dear Mr. President — Your Policies Could Make or Break the Travel Industry

Prayitno  / Flickr.com

The White House South Lawn in September 17, 2012. Presidential policies could make or break the U.S. travel industry and the wider economy. Prayitno / Flickr.com

Skift Take: Presidential policies and tone can go a long way toward making or breaking the U.S. travel industry. The president has to balance all parts of the economy and the needs of the country’s citizens, but pumping up the travel industry because of its vast economic impact would go a long way toward wider economic recovery.

— Dennis Schaal

Read the Complete Story On Skift