Corporate Hotel and Air Business Remains Strong, But for How Long?
Photo Credit: Southwest Airlines welcomes Customers to the brand new ticketing lobby at LAX Terminal 1. Customers experience newly renovated spaces throughout T1 with the carrier’s new ticketing lobby, baggage claim and gate areas. Southwest Airlines
Skift Take
Corporate business remains strong for both hotels and airlines despite ongoing trade wars around the world. This seems unlikely to hold up in 2019.
It's been a strong year for corporate travel in general, with both hotel chains and airlines reporting robust growth as businesses continue to send their employees across the world.
On their earnings calls in recent weeks for third quarter results, top executives across travel expressed optimism for the future of continued corporate travel growth. Still, signs are emerging that an economic slowdown is coming soon.
Hotel rates are high, putting pressure on the people who plan meetings and events. There are also lingering concerns around the effect that ongoing trade wars and negotiations around the world will have, along with uncertainty creeping into global stock markets. While the major players in corporate travel are getting along more nicely than before, the collaboration may not last if financial pressure increases.
Here's the latest from leaders across the industry on the state of corporate travel and their efforts to attract business travelers.
MARRIOTT CEO ARNE SORENS
