Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Travel in an Age of Permanxiety + TripAdvisor Woos Travel Agents + Accorhotels' Contrarian Strategy

October 3, 2017

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Note From the Editor

The global travel industry finds itself ensconced in a state of Permanxiety, as Skift has characterized the times we live in. Look no further than Catalonia, which voted for independence in the face of Spanish police. Meetings-Mecca Las Vegas saw the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. And Hurricane Maria forced tourism-dependent Puerto Rico to temporarily take a knee. Today, we examine the travel industry's role in the new normal, this Age of Permanxiety.

Meanwhile, it is an apt time to reflect on the future of new business models, which can be held up as innovative — until they crash and burn. Travel tech editor Sean O'Neill writes today about Accorhotels' diversification strategy, which is unlike any we've seen in the hotel industry. It reminds us, only because of its singularity, of Etihad's recent alliance strategy that it built outside the big airline alliances. It was seen by many as a game-changer until it fell apart. We're not saying the Accorhotels strategy will suffer the same fate, but the jury is definitely still out on its wisdom.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

How Great Visual Design Can Reshape Your Corporate Travel Policy [SPONSORED]

You may have missed out on this year's Skift Global Forum, but you don't have to miss out on one of the key parts of the conversation at the event and within the industry.

AccorHotels Makes Acquisition to Deliver Other Hotel Brands to Travel Agencies

Europe's largest hotelier continues to pursue CEO Sébastien Bazin's goal of diversification. Valued at about $117 million, Gekko Group will help AccorHotels grow its business-to-business services.

8 Questions About Hotel Safety and Security Raised by the Las Vegas Shooting

What can hotels and tourism officials do going forward to make guests and event attendees feel safer?

TripAdvisor Tours and Activities Brand Viator Debuts a Booking Tool for Travel Agents

Who needs middlemen distributors? TripAdvisor-backed Viator is hoping that travel agencies come directly to its new platform to find tours and activities to sell to consumers.

IHG CEO Sees Better Tech as Making Things Smoother Behind the Scenes

Keith Barr has a clean slate to build off his tenure in China and implement new technology for IHG employees that will help shape and improve the guest experience. We'll be watching to see if his vision of more seamless technology integration is realized this year.

José Andrés Steps Up (Again) for Hurricane Relief

One of the finest examples of leadership through tragedy comes from immigrant chef José Andrés. He is a role model.

Business of Loyalty: Delta Makes Top Elite Status Tougher to Reach for Credit Card Holders

It's now going to be extremely difficult for some of Delta's frequent flyers to earn top-tier elite status.

These winning tourism videos don't use radical production elements to tell the stories of their countries. Instead, they let the landscapes and handshakes speak for themselves, and show why travel is such a beautiful and enlightening thing.

U.S. Millennials Travel the Most but Gen Z Is on the Rise

Generation Z prioritizes international travel and special events more than its older counterparts. Generation Z members also have the least amount of money to spend on travel, for now. When have we heard this all before? A decade ago, about Millennials.

Hotel Design of the Future Emphasizes Sustainability

Given the industry's increasing focus on sustainability, these hotel ideas could soon become a reality. That's especially so for developers looking to build projects that are not only eco-friendly, but are increasingly design forward.

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