05 Dec
Travel

Wildfires Raise Challenges for California’s Tourism Management

Terry Chea / Associated Press

Resident Keith Bispo points to his house in the Palo Colorado community while interviewed in Big Sur, California, July 29, 2016, with wildfires raging to the north. Affordable housing in regions impacted by wildfires is an issue for the tourism industry. Terry Chea / Associated Press

Skift Take: After several years of historic wildfires, California has to take a hard look at the future of tourism in its wine regions and mountain resort communities. The fires have exacerbated problems such as a lack of affordable workforce housing.

— Maria Lenhart

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05 Dec
Travel

Oyo Promotes Executive to Board to Aid Growth Efforts

Akio Kon / Bloomberg

Ritesh Agarwal speaks at the SoftBank World 2019 event in Tokyo. The company has added a new board member. Akio Kon / Bloomberg

Skift Take: Looks like Oyo is taking a more sustainable approach to global growth rather than simply looking to boost hotel numbers at any cost. But will the new board appointment lead to a discernible change in strategy?

— Patrick Whyte

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05 Dec
Travel

How the California Wildfires Are Impacting Tourism

Randall Benton / Sacramento Bee/MCT

California tourism must cope with a lack of affordable housing for service workers trying to live in areas ravaged by wildfires. Pictured, Pamela Harris sheds tears as she closes the doors of her Pine Mountain Deli after 10 years in business in Groveland, Calf., on October 18, 2013. Businesses in the area of Yosemite National Park took a double hit as first the Rim Fire wildfires kept visitors away followed by the federal budget shutdown of the park. Randall Benton / Sacramento Bee/MCT

Skift Take: Several years of devastating wildfires have taken a toll on California tourism but have not affected overall visitor numbers. Instead, the fires have changed the way the state markets itself and made it harder for tourism employees to live in California.

— Maria Lenhart

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05 Dec
Travel

What Destination Marketers Can Learn from Airbnb’s China Strategy

Airbnb

In the rural village of Jinjiang, Airbnb and the Guilin Municipal Government Tourism Development Committee partnered on a one-year project that recruited globally renowned designers to redesign local, traditional stilt-style homes as functional homestays. Airbnb

Skift Take: China is on track to be Airbnb’s top origin market in 2020. Destination marketing organizations targeting Chinese travelers can gain insights from the homesharing giant’s take-charge strategy, which is key for staying power in this fiercely competitive sector.

— Faye Chiu

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05 Dec
Travel

Minor International Will Get New Group CEO as Founder Bill Heinecke Plans Succession

Minor Hotels

Dillip Rajakarier, soon-to-be group CEO of Minor International, while retaining his role as CEO of Minor Hotels. Minor Hotels

Skift Take: Dillip Rajakarier’s biggest achievement is lasting a dozen years with the hugely driven Bill Heinecke, who was once known for short-lived CEOs. Rajakarier earned his stripes well, but if you think Heinecke is retiring — forget it.

— Raini Hamdi

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