Peering in from the outside, it can appear that the multi-day tour sector is lagging in digital transformation when compared to almost every other sector of travel. We don’t see the layers of digital infrastructure and we haven’t seen the money that can flow with them. In airlines, hotels and even day tours and attractions, we’ve seen huge supportive industries pop up like res...
This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. In this video: A shift in travel priorities: Consumers are prioritizing experiences over products, which is not only driving more demand for travel overall, but it’s also influencing changes for what people do (and buy) while they are traveling. Social media has amplified this trend by driving inspiration and a desire for...
Hilton is expanding its luxury brands worldwide, and using a tailored regional approach to wooing owners organically —instead of acquiring portfolios. “The further east you go, the longer the asset is normally held because it’s usually a generational investment driven by a sense of family pride,” said Dino Michael, senior vice president and global head of luxury brands...
This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. The landscape for travel loyalty continues to grow, fragment, and change at a rapid pace. Hotel and airline programs are expanding year on year, reaching record figures. For example, Marriott Bonvoy now boasts more than 200 million members and has seen membership grow by 60 percent in the last five years. Hilton is hot on...
Boosted by the travel boom, the Indian hotel industry is set to report double-digit revenue growth in fiscal 2024, as projected by ratings agency ICRA. Optimistic Outlook for Hotel Occupancy: ICRA estimates premium hotel occupancy across India to reach a decade high at 70-72% in the fiscal year, after recovering to 68-70% in fiscal 2023. This optimistic outlook is underpinned by robust demand...
Mobile virtual cards aren’t new. A virtual card assigns a unique number to a transaction or a specific period of time. Companies can set spending controls on these card numbers so that employees don’t go over a limit. You can store these virtual cards on your phone. But what is new is that Mastercard and other players are making these cards easier to access in digital wallets on employee phones...
Singapore Airlines has refuted a media report saying it may raise its stake in Tata Group-owned Air India from the 25.1 percent which it secured as part of the group’s Vistara merger to create a bigger full-service national carrier. “The Mint story dated 16 June 2023 is incorrect. There (is) no change in SIA’s position from the November 2022 announcement,” Singapore Airlines said. Singapore’s...
Air India has entered into an interline partnership with Bangkok Airways that will allow the Tata Group-owned airline’s passengers connections to 10 Southeast Asian destinations beyond the Thai capital. They can take convenient connections via Air India’s Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore gateways to and from 10 destinations in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia on Bangkok Airways’ route network...
In a shift in global mobility rankings, Singapore has claimed the top spot in the 2024 Henley Passport Index released on Wednesday, granting its citizens visa-free access to 195 countries. This marks a notable change from last year when Japan held the top position. Japan now ranks second, with visa-free access to 192 countries, while South Korea stands in third place, offering access to 191...
Throughout the week we are posting original stories night and day covering news and travel trends, including on the impact of coronavirus. Every weekend we will offer you a chance to read the most essential stories again in case you missed them earlier. 15 Hotel Designers to Watch Now: Talk about eye candy. In our first-ever list of top hotel design firms, we spotlight the interior designs and...