Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: TUI's Blockchain Move + Wyndham Is in Deal Mode + Gogo's Wi-Fi Fix

February 15, 2018

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Note From the Editor

Several hotel companies report earnings this week, and what we learned Wednesday is that hoteliers are sticking with the tactics that have worked out for them so far. Wyndham Hotel Group, fresh off announcing a plan to acquire La Quinta Holdings, will keep looking for more deals, its CEO said. Hilton's CEO, on the other hand, isn't looking for any merger or acquisition action, preferring that his company grow organically. One way the company plans to do that: by continuing to push direct bookings and loyalty membership, a strategy that has been successful so far. If it's not broke, why try to fix it?

— Hannah Sampson, News Editor

The Next Generation of Transportation Tech Is Happening In UK Cities

What else could — or should — Wyndham buy this year? Or what new brands could it possibly add at this point?

TUI Is Relying on Its Blockchain to Help Boost Profits

TUI seems to have found a good use case for blockchain technology, and the implied cost savings would help boost profits. But could TUI achieve the same result with an alternative?

Hilton CEO Believes Direct Booking Campaign Is Key to Improved Guest Experience

The direct booking wars are the true infinity war, at least in hospitality. In other words, don't expect a truce anytime soon.

Gogo Wants U.S. Airlines to Know Satellite Wi-Fi Isn't the Only Answer

For years, airline passengers have hated Gogo's air-to-ground, or ATG, service. But change is coming, and travelers soon may not need to curse when they learn they're on an air-to-ground-equipped airplane.

Los Angeles Takes Its New Tourism Campaign to Hulu

The Los Angeles tourism board is one of the few in the U.S. that could launch a campaign like this and have it ring true to travelers from around the world. Its original "Everyone Is Welcome" message likely had an impact on how other destinations addressed the drop-off in international visitors.

How American Airlines Chooses Which Routes to Fly

American is content to let United fly all the ultra-long-haul routes it wants. American is more focused on shorter stage lengths.

Refreshed Destinations Want to Attract Large Corporate Events

Convention centers across the U.S. have worked to refresh and develop their offerings as business has increased in recent years. Now they're looking to attract large corporate events across multiple venues instead of traditional consumer-facing events and conventions.

JFK's Terminal 4 Owner Wants to Invest in More U.S. Airports

Handing over more U.S. airport terminals to private operators is probably not a panacea. But surely private industry can do at least as well as governments in operating an airport terminal.

You know the saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same?" When it comes to Airbnb's new endeavors in the accommodations space, it is certainly being inventive, but the company is also borrowing heavily from what hotels have been doing for centuries.

New Skift Research Report: A Deep Dive Into Operating and Branding Strategies for Hotel Owners

There may not be a "one size fits all" model for all hotel properties, but our latest research report highlights key items for hotel owners to think about when it comes to operating structures and branding strategies in today's environment.

A Wellness Cruise Line Wants to Compete With the Industry's Biggest Names

A new cruise line is betting that focusing on a specific market niche will be a winning strategy. We look at the game plan behind the new fitness-focused concept and consider whether it can work out.

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