Six Flags Gets Loyalty + Travelport's Mobile Bet + On the Beach Looks Offline

The Travel Industry's Daily Agenda-Setting Newsletter

August 17, 2018

Editor's Note Our story today about airlines starting to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars in blocked funds from governments in Africa underscores an interesting dilemma for aviation in developing countries. Nations typically release repatriated funds to airlines based on ticket sales and currency exchange rates. But a drop in oil and other commodity prices has pinched some countries to the point where they have blocked those monies. Forcing the release of the funds has been a big issue for the airlines' global trade group, IATA. The volatility in some of these countries' economies is a double-edged sword. If airlines refuse to fly routes to these countries, that lack of connectivity hurts their economies further. So airlines don't get paid either way. IATA is making gains, as higher oil prices fatten some countries' coffers. It's not a problem isolated to Africa for airlines. It's simply another sign of how beholden carriers are to swings in the global economy. — Tom Lowry, Managing Editor How Independent Hotels Are Reimagining Loyalty Programs Sponsored by TravelClick Independent hotels don't have the global resources of major chains when it comes to building traditional guest loyalty programs. But independent hoteliers are pushing the envelope and finding creative ways to reward loyal guests and guests who book direct. Read More Top Stories Six Flags Is Taking Theme Park Loyalty to the Next Level The new rewards program at Six Flags is designed to keep its already-loyal members engaged and satisfied enough to stay enrolled in a monthly membership. Will the theme park loyalty idea catch on with other operators? Video: Why Travelport Is Betting Big on Payments and Mobile Booking Travelport has worked hard over the last few years to develop new airline merchandising and travel payments solutions on a global level. Next comes the challenge of driving wider adoption in the marketplace. Airlines Recoup $500 Million in Blocked Funds From African Countries Accountants at Emirates, British Airways, and South African Airways must be breathing a sigh of relief. A combination of economic carrots, and airline sticks – smoothed over by IATA diplomacy – has helped international carriers recoup more than $500 million in blocked funds from African governments since the start of 2018. On the Beach Buys Classic Collection for $25 Million as Package Rules Get Upended Online player On the Beach is making a play to attract the business of offline travel agents by creating a new online dynamic-packaging portal. Got it? In online travel, as in life, it sometimes pays to be flexible, and to buy stuff. Who Will Be on Stage at Skift Global Forum? As president of American Airlines Group, Robert Isom oversees operations, planning, marketing, sales, pricing, and more. Don't miss Isom discuss the future of airlines this September at Skift Global Forum! Despegar Tripped Up by the Ailing Economies of Argentina and Brazil Lousy economies in key markets have hurt Despegar's profit. But deft management during the recent storms suggests the online travel agency has a promising future. Why Everyone Is Starting to Play Nice in Corporate Travel After years of inaction, the big travel management companies are finally figuring out how to create a better booking experience for travelers. The dream of the personalized and automated future of corporate travel, though, may never come to pass. KuaiBangXing Links Chinese Travelers With Activities: Travel Startup Funding This Week KuaiBangXing, an activities booking startup, focuses on making it easier for Chinese visitors to North America to sample tours and attractions. It sets up guided transportation between outings, and it lets customers pay with China's popular WeChat Pay system. Popular Now Tenants of the Latest Airbnb-Branded Complex in Nashville Feel Blindsided Oops, they did it again. Will the Airbnb-branded apart-hotel developer Niido ever learn its lesson? Luxury General Managers on How Five-Star Expectations Have Changed What better way to discover how luxury travel has evolved than to chat with veterans of the five-star hospitality space? Google Finds Customer Service Beats Loyalty Programs It's no surprise that travelers are starting to place a higher priority on customer experience over loyalty programs considering how uncomfortable air travel has become. Google data just prove it. For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab. You received this email because you are subscribed to Skift Daily Newsletter from Skift.

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