Travel's Reopening and Coronavirus Recovery

MGM Resorts International and Las Vegas Sands aren’t writing off Macau, but they also aren’t solely focusing on China’s gaming hotspot for growth in Asia.

The repercussions of drawn-out, draconian Covid restrictions are clear. It will take time to strengthen Canadians' feelings about welcoming back international visitors, but also to rebuild consumer confidence in traveling to Canada.

It may not have seen the largest profit of major hotel companies last year, but Accor’s swing from a multibillion-dollar loss to a multimillion-dollar profit over the span of 12 months is a major win for a company with significant exposure to Europe and other areas more dependent on international travel.

Holiday Inn Express is still the bread and butter at IHG, but newer brands like Avid and Voco are vaulting up the charts to account more for future expansion at the company.

As part of its "connected trip" and loyalty strategy, Booking Holdings argued it can convince hotels and other partners to offer up substantial discounts and perks, and this would spur incremental bookings. But do hotels really want to be a cog in building the Booking.com brand?

Last year was a rebuilding one for IHG, as the company trimmed off underperforming Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels from its portfolio.

Good morning from Skift. It's Monday, February 21, in New York City. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Listen now to a conversation with Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith at Skift Global Forum in September 2021 in New York City.

Hyatt might have improved performance from a year ago, but having to still report losses while others are touting a return to profits has to sting. Waning Omicron cases in 2022 are pointing to better days. Investors are hoping that's the case.

The reckoning stage has passed. Destination marketers should actively and urgently tackle tourism engagement and education — because community-driven pushback is only going to increase. That could impact recovery and growth, with the future of the tourism workforce depending on it.