Skift Take
In Skift’s top stories this week, TUI Group’s biggest investor is a popular supporter of Vladimir Putin, Expedia stops using travel to and from Russia, and hotels and hostels reserved beds for Ukrainian refugees.
Rashaad Jorden
Throughout the week we are posting original stories night and day covering news and travel patterns, consisting of on the impact of coronavirus. Every weekend we will offer you a possibility to read the most vital stories once again in case you missed them earlier.
World’s Largest Tour Operator TUI Has a Russian Oligarch Problem: Does TUI Group actually want to be connected with a Russian oligarch who rests on its strategy committee and who is close to and allied with Putin during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? That sort of publicity could hammer the company’s credibility and its customers won’t take the news well.
Fallout From Marriott and Hilton’s Shocking Layoffs Isn’t Easily Repaired: Significant hotel business are recognizing that trust concerns sticking around from pandemic furloughs and layoffs play a major part in the industry’s labor scarcity crisis.
Russian Oligarch Resigns From TUI Group Board After EU Sanctions: Mordashov’s resignation from the TUI Group supervisory board has to be a significant relief to the world’s largest tour operator, which can now in large part get on with its service. Nevertheless, there is a considerable hangover: With his shares frozen, Mordashov still remains TUI Group’s biggest shareholder.
Sabre Ends Circulation of Aeroflot Flights in Travel Tech Retreat From Russia: Sabre has differed from its travel tech peer business by being the very first to cease offering flights from Aeroflot. It’s an unusual action as it comes at a cost to the company. The rate of doing the right thing.
Expedia Stops Sales to and From Russia: Expedia Group got out of the pack and ceased offering travel to and from Russia since of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The company does not have a ton of Russia-related business, so even if the move is more symbolic than anything else, it is an important declaration.
Trip Rentals Now Offering Fractional Ownership as Pure Investments: Fractional ownership isn’t to be confused with the longstanding idea of timeshare. Still, all set for the sales pitch?
Hotels and Hostels Hosting Ukrainian Refugees Create Directory for Open Beds: Hospitality companies provided more than a million beds to emergency situation and frontline employees throughout the pandemic. As the legions of refugees leaving the war in Ukraine grow, they’re back at it with a little tech boost to help.
TripActions Inherits Swedish Travel Bureau to Strengthen Europe Footprint: Buying Germany’s Comtravo last month likewise suggested handling that agency’s own ongoing acquisitions, including plans to purchase Sweden’s Resia. That offer’s now gone through, and TripActions gets a faster way to Scandinavia.
Travel Business Distance Themselves From Russia: Major travel brands moved quick in action to reveal support of Ukraine amidst the Russian intrusion. But some of these business still have direct exposure in a significantly shut-off Russia.
Ukraine Tourist to the Travel Industry: Scream You’re Against the War: Speak up versus the war and stop doing business with Russia as many companies currently have. That’s the message that Ivan Liptuga, president of the National Tourist Company of Ukraine, has for the travel industry.