Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Priceline & Trivago Spending Reset? + Hurricane Maria Tourism Updates + 5 Theme Park Trends

September 20, 2017

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Note From the Editor

We have a bit of everything for you today. We're excited about our new smartphone app (as any organization should be), but we're extra happy we have all of these great stories to stuff inside of it. From a look at where theme parks are at in a pivotal year of development, to an update on the destinations hardest hit by Caribbean hurricanes, to a look under the hood of Trivago (metasearch partner worries?), our goal with every app update or morning newsletter is to give you too much excellent travel coverage to possibly read in one day. Let me know at jc@skift.com if we're not doing the job.

— Jason Clampet, Editor-in-Chief

Time is Running Out to Attend Skift Global Forum

Skift Global Forum is less than 5 days away, and let's face it — You can't afford to miss it. That's why we're extending yesterday's 15% OFF discount! Just use code: RAFAT at checkout, but act fast. We are close to selling out.

The new Skift Travel app, optimized for our paid Research subscribers, is now available. Free users get access to the last 24 hour of stories.

Hurricane Maria: Updates From The Travel Industry

Some destinations preparing for Hurricane Maria were still bailing out from Hurricane Irma and the succession of intense hurricanes will have a long-term impact on many aspects of the region's tourism industry.

Priceline May Be Spending Less on Trivago and Changing Hotel Metasearch Dynamics

Booking.com is pulling back from its advertising spend on Expedia-controlled Trivago. But we must await third-quarter financial data and any company pronouncements on the topic to know all of the implications.

5 Top Theme Park Trends Dominating the Season

From water parks to overseas investment, theme park operators are coming up with new ways to grow their business. One common thread: Find brands that have a built-in customer base and use them to attract new visitors.

Visit Philly Turns to The Roots to Attract More Black Tourists

Visit Philadelphia's new videos target black travelers making at least $75,000 and aim to reclaim some lost market share. But the campaign sends a more nuanced message to a wider audience.

Visit Florida Is Planning Ways to Get Tourists Back After Hurricane Irma

Florida's tourism industry was already having a turbulent year before one of the most active and destructive Atlantic hurricane seasons in years began playing out. Getting travelers to come back will require unified marketing efforts — and that's currently in jeopardy.

Montage Resorts' New Luxury Brand Goes Urban and Local

We've heard many of these talking points before by hotel brands seeking to do exactly this. Consumers will respond if the product is good, not if it's "young" and "local."

These are fighting words from JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes, who does not like the tight control the largest U.S. airlines have over domestic and international markets.

Avid Hotels Is the Name IHG Gave to Its New Midscale Brand After a 3-Month Wait

Time to play another game of "Is it a boutique hotel or a condom brand?" We won't go that far here, but we wonder if IHG will be willing to inject a bit more personality and more of a story into its newest brand.

7 Elements of Hotel Brands Built to Endure

Hotels built to last all have backbone, a strong bearing, and a reliable customer base even in the world of competitive online price warfare and disposable, digital consumer culture.

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