Travel's Reopening and Coronavirus Recovery

Airlines have renewed their push for a UK-U.S. travel corridor following both countries' largely successful vaccination campaigns. But their arguments have fallen on seemingly deaf ears so far, raising doubts as to whether this latest push will make any difference.

A destination resilience assessment survey for U.S. tourism boards is launching this summer — just as visitors return and as tourism leaders continue to examine how they can build back stronger before the next crisis hits.

Blackstone and Starwood Capital's extra $180 million sweetens the pot for the planned Extended Stay America takeover, but this is no done deal. There is still a very loud opposing group of shareholders that could sway the vote this week.

Hotel owners have to boost wages above pre-pandemic trend lines if they want to claw former workers back from outside industries. Until that happens, expect a lot of overworked and overwhelmed staffers doing well above the requirements of a typical hotel job.

Deferred payment models are nothing new, but as travel recovers, airlines and others in travel need to find innovative ways to accept payments. It's far from certain that this payment model will help speed up a recovery, or prove to be another huge burden for customers.

The surprising rise in consumer spending during the pandemic spurred a competition for goods and shipping containers among all industries. That's a long-term problem for hotels, especially with an expected increase in renovations around the corner that will require even more deliveries from overseas.

Even if Sandals Resorts isn't worried about major hotel brands like Marriott entering the all-inclusive space, more hospitality giants are likely to swoop in and start scouring the market for franchise deals. There is too much unbranded supply to ignore.

It's a stark update from the United Nations' tourism arm on the projected delayed return of international tourism — but it's also up to governments in wealthier nations to turn that tide and speed up recovery through global vaccine equity.

Wyndham's arrival to the luxury sector adds a missing piece to its brand portfolio, but don't expect a high-end glut of new hotels anytime soon. This is a very competitive hotel sector, and Wyndham plans to stick to the standard luxury playbook of exclusivity. Less is more when it comes to finer hotels.

The pandemic has taken a toll on the frontline workers at the Transport Workers Union, but action and compassion go a long way. Industry employers need to take note and make adjustments as their frontline workers return.