Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Red Lion Sues Hard Rock + The Biz Travel Conundrum + Half-Standing Airline Seats

July 17, 2017

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Note From the Editor

As delegates gather in Boston this week for the annual Global Business Travel Association confab, senior writer Andrew Sheivachman addresses an often-unspoken truth. The business travel establishment and business travelers often find themselves at odds — rogue bookings, anyone? — because travel management companies have huge financial incentives to do things a certain way. That's one reason change comes so slowly, and there is a gap between corporate policies and business traveler needs.

Meanwhile, nothing will go unspoken in the Red Lion infringement lawsuit against Hard Rock Hotels over its nascent Reverb brand. As hospitality editor Deanna Ting reports, Red Lion, which used the same brand developer as Hard Rock, claims Reverb is a knock-off of its own Hotel RL. This battle for Millennial guests is getting messy.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

How Faster Search and Automation Can Help Power Performance for Travel Brands [SPONSORED]

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The Real Reasons Business Travelers Don't Get What They Want

Beyond limiting company spending, there are financial reasons why business travelers feel so constrained by corporate travel-booking policies. It's time for everyone to be honest about them.

Red Lion Sues Hard Rock Hotels for Infringement in Race to Win Over Millennials

There are literally only so many ways you can appeal to Millennials in hotel design, and copycats are inevitable. That's why hospitality really can be a "me too" industry, as hotelier Ian Schrager so often laments.

Interview: Viva Aerobus CEO on Why Half-Standing Seats Still Intrigue Him

With good management, this ultra low-cost airline strategy is profitable just about everywhere. The key? Airlines like Viva Aerobus must be fanatical about costs, and they must provide the cheapest fares, all the time. They also should treat their customers fairly.

Travel This Week — What To Expect

Both the Global Business Travel Association Convention 2017 and United's second quarter earnings this week should give us a better handle on how corporate travel demand is faring in the Age of Trump and political uncertainties around the globe.

Discriminatory Bathroom Bills Won't Keep Most Travelers Out of Affected States

Many U.S. travelers don't want to be labeled as racists or bigots, and publicly oppose discriminatory legislation. But that doesn't mean they won't take a trip they've been planning all year, especially if the legislation doesn't involve them.

Trump Travel Ban Gets Weakened in Ruling by Hawaii Judge

Wow, grandparents can now be welcomed back as actual family members under the provisions of a further weakened Trump travel ban. This isn't the last word on the subject, though.

As Airbnb becomes bookable through the online booking tools of corporate travel management companies, its acceptance in corporate travel policies will likely rise as well.

Blockchain Will Disrupt Expedia and Airbnb, TUI CEO Says

Blockchain is essentially a large immutable database which, due to its security features and decentralized nature, can pose a threat to traditional intermediaries. Companies are looking to expand blockchain to tackle the current travel distribution landscape.

Delta Says Travelers Still Love Airline Credit Cards Even Though Miles Are Worth Less

Yes, airline frequent flyer programs probably were more lucrative a decade ago. But savvy travelers can still get a lot of value out of the programs and their affiliated credit cards.

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