Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Hotel Industry Over-Optimism? + Online Travel CEOs Set New Path + Ryanair's Hotel Campaign

January 30, 2018

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Note From the Editor

The U.S. hotel industry is riding high, but is there some bubble-puncturing in its future? We talked with a bunch of hotel executives and got their take about what they think is in store for the sector. Speaking of stores, Ryanair doesn't want to be merely known as a flight operator; the airline launched a TV campaign to convince consumers it should become a top choice for booking hotel rooms, too. Like hotels, airlines want to be everything to everyone.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

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Megatrends 2018

New Online Travel Agency Leaders Reshape Their Companies

Anyone who thought the three new online travel agency leaders — Jane Sun, Glenn Fogel, and Mark Okerstrom — intended to be mere caretakers of their predecessors' policies and legacies would have been mistaken. To a large degree, they are stepping out into new territory.

Fast Food Drops the Corporate Voice in Favor of Personality

As competition in the quick service market intensifies, having a rebellious streak that engages potential customers and differentiates concepts from dozens of similar brands no longer seems like a risk, but a necessity.

More conservative folks might talk about being "cautiously optimistic," but positivity is the prevailing sentiment this year in the hospitality industry.

Ryanair Signals Its Hotel Ambitions With New TV Ad Campaign

Behind the usual Ryanair bluster there usually lurks a sensible business idea. If the airline offers a better accommodation product to customers, that should persuade some to stay away from Booking.com.

American Improves Its Domestic Premium Economy

Upgrades to American's domestic premium economy (Main Cabin Extra) foreshadow a better experience for elite travelers — but also the potential beginnings of an entirely new class of service.

Looming Water Shutoff Threatens Cape Town Tourism

In less than 100 days, Cape Town may run out of water. While the impact on the city's crucial tourism industry has been limited thus far, that could soon change.

eDreams Odigeo Sale Attracts Private Equity Interest

At this stage, we're not exactly sure why eDreams Odigeo might interest Skyscanner/Ctrip. A private equity buyer would seem much more likely.

Airbnb has sold investors on a growth story based, in part, on adding flights and other products. But selling flights is extremely complicated.

Tales From the Crypto: The Wild World of Travel Blockchain Startups

Some entrepreneurs and scammers are treating initial coin offerings like get-rich-quick schemes, and the travel distribution ecosystem isn't immune. Beware of people who say they can totally disrupt the travel industry, especially if they don't even understand how the industry works.

Travel Megatrends 2018: Airlines Try to Become Storefronts Beyond the Seat

Most airlines are not advanced with their e-commerce strategies. Many have done OK without refining how they sell their products. But if they want to succeed in the long term, they probably must become more sophisticated in how they reach customers.

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