The Taj Mahal is many things to many people. However, some sectors in India are now keen to rewrite the monument's history. Already beset by problems of overcrowding, pollution, apathy and infrastructure, the Taj can do with some rewriting of its present, not its past, to secure its future. Much of India's tourism trade is riding on it.
Hornblower's private equity investor Crestview kept the faith in the experiences operator during the pandemic. Now the investor is supporting a global mergers and acquisitions strategy that could amp up the company's momentum.
Hornblower's acquisition of Walks and Lindblad's takeover of DuVine are great case studies. They show how young companies can land well even in times of crisis. The lessons ought to resonate across the travel sector.
Virtual reality has been the next big thing for years, and it always will be. But despite skepticism, the technology shows a potential to help the travel sector in a few specific, high margin cases.
FareHarbor and Bokun act as if they're unstoppably on the way to becoming giants. But the market for booking systems for sightseeing and experience operators remains very much in flux.
Singapore grapples with affordability, as seen in drops in shopping, dining, and hotel spending by tourists, who are also staying a shorter time. Going for more high-yield tourists and giving them the value they'd expect from paying high prices is the solution, and Singapore must do it fast. Here's why.