05 Aug
Travel

Can This Controversial Former Thomas Cook Exec Really Build the Next Travel Giant?

Benjamin Gremler / Unsplash

Manny Fontenla-Novoa became president of Logitravel in 2018, which now plans to to merge with Spain’s Viajes El Corte Ingles. Benjamin Gremler / Unsplash

Skift Take: Many people will be watching the next chapter in Manny Fontenla-Novoa’s career closely. Can he restore his reputation with this new pan-European travel agency?

— Matthew Parsons

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05 Aug
Travel

Travel Advisors Find River Cruises a Bigger Opportunity Even With Hurdles

Alexxx1979 / Wikimedia Commons

The Viking Truvor on the Volga River in Russia Alexxx1979 / Wikimedia Commons

Skift Take: Travel advisors would do well to thoroughly explain the differences between ocean and river cruises. While some travelers have concerns about getting on any kind of cruise, travel advisors could attract a lot more bookings if they quell any concerns travelers have about river cruises.

— Rashaad Jorden

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05 Aug
Travel

Hyatt Explores Brand Acquisitions to Fuel European Growth

Hyatt

Hyatt is considering smaller brand acquisitions across Europe to fuel growth (pictured: the view from the Hyatt Place London City East). Hyatt

Skift Take: Seizing smart, strategic opportunities coming out of the pandemic is top of mind at Hyatt, of course. But the Chicago-based company shouldn’t expect any bargains in its potential European brand hunt. The competition is too fierce.

— Cameron Sperance

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05 Aug
Travel

MGM Resorts Plans to Offload Bulk of Its Real Estate Trust for $4.4 Billion

Håkan Dahlström / Flickr

MGM Resorts plans to sell a majority stake in its lodging trust, MGM Growth Properties. Håkan Dahlström / Flickr

Skift Take: The sale to VICI Properties is the latest example of MGM Resorts following the hotel industry’s “asset-light” business model and stepping back from real estate ownership. Some of the company’s biggest landmark resorts, like the Bellagio, have already been sold off to Blackstone.

— Cameron Sperance

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05 Aug
Travel

Marriott Rides China and U.S. Travel Strength to $422 Million Profit

Tyler Vigen / Wikimedia

Marriott vaulted into profitability thanks to strong domestic travel demand in China and the U.S. Tyler Vigen / Wikimedia

Skift Take: Hotels are not out of the woods yet. Marriott notched the best financial showing of hotel earnings season so far, but the Delta variant threatens the recovery everywhere — even in China, the company’s best-performing major market last quarter.

— Cameron Sperance

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05 Aug
Travel

EasyJet’s Rail Deal Highlights New Airline Sector Way of Selling Trains and Flights

Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn recently launched the Flughafen-Express, an airport express service run by DB Regio Nordost between downtown Berlin stops and Berlin’s new airport (BER) Terminal 1-2 on behalf of the VBB (Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg). EasyJet and Deutsche Bahn have begun selling combination tickets that include flights and rail using a new airline method, virtual interlining. Deutsche Bahn

Skift Take: Airlines need to work more closely with railway operators to fend off climate change activists. But they also need to test new technological ways of selling content from other suppliers. Let’s think beyond joint ventures, codeshares, and interlining.

— Sean O’Neill

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