Kimpton Scales With IHG + TripAdvisor's Next Big Biz + Dollar Doesn't Matter

The Travel Industry's Daily Agenda-Setting Newsletter

June 20, 2017 View in browser

Note From the Editor There was doom and gloom among some Kimpton aficionados when InterContinental Hotels Group dropped the bombshell in 2014 that it would acquire Kimpton. But CEO Mike DeFrino tells us Kimpton is "dancing" along just fine within the larger corporation, and is tapping into some of IHG's credibility abroad. We detail in a Research report how TripAdvisor likewise is going through its own changes but we wouldn't describe them as a graceful dance. Meanwhile, AirAsia X CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted the news that the low-cost carrier won't follow the lead of a bevy of airlines that see ultra long-haul routes as the next big thing. Executing your own dance moves is always good. — Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor Enhancing Loyalty: Best Practices for CRM Systems in Asia-Pacific [SPONSORED] Sponsored by Cendyn Encompassing diverse markets in mature economies like Australia, Japan, and Singapore, and those with vast growth potential like China, expectations of service and customer experience can vary widely throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. This report looks at strategies to build hospitality customer loyalty through effective use of customer relationship management (CRM.) Download Now Top Stories Interview: Kimpton CEO Sees IHG Helping to Propel Its International Expansion The hotel company that started the boutique hotels movement in the U.S. wants to set a precedent for scaling up — without losing its soul in the process. But can it succeed? TripAdvisor: Non-Hotel Revenue Could Reach One-Third of Total by 2020 A successful TripAdvisor transformation into ecommerce would go down as one of the smartest pivots in online travel history. We're Building The Sexiest Program for Skift Global Forum More audience participation and diverse speakers will make this year's Skift Global Forum the best yet. Travel Habits of Americans: Strong U.S. Dollar Means Little to Outbound Tourists Skift's data show many U.S. adults weren't planning an international trip this year even with a stronger dollar, but for those who were a more favorable exchange rate largely wasn't a make-it-or-break-it factor in the decision process. Airbus Is Making Some of Its Most Popular Jets More Passenger-Friendly Is this a game-changer? No. But let's give Airbus some credit for making short-haul travel a little more pleasant. Too bad passengers must wait until 2020 to see the new cabins. Marriott Joins Competitors in Extending Cancellation Deadline From 24 to 48 Hours Travelers won't be happy about Marriott's new cancellation policy but investors and operators will. AirAsia X CEO Takes to Twitter to Call Off Plans to Fly to Europe and California This is probably a good business decision. Economy class fares from Asia to the United States and Europe are already low, because there's so much competition. The market probably doesn't need another entrant — at least for now. And who knows? Air Asia X might change its strategy at some point. FAA Boss Outlines Brexit Safety Concerns for UK Aviation Does the UK have the resources to set up an aviation safety framework on its own or will it seek to stay in the European Aviation Safety Agency? The former would be unwise and the latter is seemingly at odds with the desire of Leave campaigners. Chefs+Tech: When a Restaurant Halfway Around the World Tastes Like Home Technology allows chefs to share and replicate food trends and ideas — fast. Some call this homogenization boring, but it's actually collaboration on a global scale. Business of Loyalty: How Virgin America Is Quietly Winding Down its Loyalty Program The move for Virgin's most loyal customers will be a hard one. But in return they get an airline that will take them so many more places. The Motivations of European Travelers from Generation Z to Baby Boomers [SPONSORED] Sponsored by Expedia Media Solutions How can marketers target European travelers? The first step is understanding their behavior patterns and preferences across generation. Popular Now Introducing Skift Best Keynote Speakers 2017 Cuba Travel FAQ: What Trump's Policy Changes Really Mean CEO Interview: How Finnair Plans to Crack the Potentially Lucrative Chinese Market For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab. You received this email because you are subscribed to Skift Daily Newsletter from Skift.

Follow us Our address: 1239 Broadway Suite 703B New York,  NY  10001  USA  Copyright © 2017 Skift, All rights reserved. If you'd like to unsubscribe from this email, click here | If you'd like to receive fewer emails, click here