Frontier Investor Rescues Wow + Wellness Brands Build Communities + Chinese Women Travelers Surge

The Travel Industry's Daily Agenda-Setting Newsletter

November 30, 2018

Editor's Note What a difference a few hours can make. On Thursday morning, it sure looked like Wow Air, the low-cost, Reykjavik-based airline that made its name during the heyday of Iceland's tourism peak, was on its way to bankruptcy after Icelandair took a pass on buying the carrier. By Thursday night, news surfaced that a white knight had emerged in the form of Bill Franke's private equity firm Indigo Partners, which agreed to invest in Wow, giving it new life. Wow will join Frontier, JetSmart, and Wizz Air in Indigo's portfolio of low-cost airlines. Indigo has certainly been opportunistic in the aviation space, selling its stake in Spirit in 2013 to chase Frontier. It's not clear what Franke sees in Wow that others did not. But he's clearly thumbing his nose at a new batch of naysayers who have emerged recently over whether the low-cost airline model can survive. — Tom Lowry, Managing Editor A Look Back at the First Air Pitch Startup Competition from Skift and the Accenture Amadeus Alliance If you think the global airline industry is impervious to change but in need of major disruption, you're not alone. That's why Skift and the Accenture Amadeus Alliance launched the first Air Pitch Startup Competition to highlight three companies that are bringing innovation to the sector. Watch 2018 Recap Video Top Stories Frontier Owner Steps In to Rescue Wow Air Wow Air has delighted passengers with low fares since 2011. But its creditors have not been as happy. Will that change if this investment goes through? Corporate Travel Works to Improve Air Bookings But a Full Tech Fix Is Still Elusive Airline distribution is one thing, but travel management companies need to totally revamp their systems to provide comprehensive tracking and service across all elements of a trip. It's unclear whether these baby steps will turn into a giant leap for the sector. Nike, Sweaty Betty, and Others Get Serious About Building Communities If one of the goals of wellness is to connect with others, well-being brands are wise to create communities that allow people to bond with one another and feel like they're a part of something bigger than themselves. Skift Table: How Shake Shack and Milk Bar Localize Their Booming Chains As companies like Shake Shack and Milk Bar continue to expand into new markets, localizing the menu and design draw fans for unique, city-specific experiences. Chinese Independent Travel Sees Women Overtake Men as Dominant Force When it comes to Chinese independent travel, women now make up the majority of travelers and they are spending a lot of money. But group travel still dominates in China. Bidroom Raises $17 Million for Its Hotel Booking Platform: Travel Startup Funding This Week Bidroom, one of Skift's Top Startups to Watch in 2018, aims to challenge traditional online travel agencies with an Amazon Prime-like subscription model. Plus, fundings galore for Festicket, GlobalTix, Zizoo, Hotel Effectiveness, Loisirs Enchères, Bookaway, LokaLocal, and Vacation With an Artist. Popular Now Alaska Airlines Hints It May Finally Join the Oneworld Alliance Alaska Airlines is evolving its business as it tries to think more globally. But unlike Canada's WestJet, which went out and acquired Boeing 787s, Alaska is thinking much more prudently. That's probably the right move. Disillusioned Traveloka Co-Founder Resigns, Saying 'This Game Is No Longer for Me' In what appears to be a clash of ideals and aspirations, the brains behind Traveloka's technology, Derianto Kusuma, is leaving the company he co-founded in early 2012. It is telling how a startup that has reached unicorn status is changing. But is it for the better? 6 Ways Celebrity Edge Is Changing the Game for the Cruise Industry Celebrity Cruises wanted its newest ship to be transformational for the brand and for the cruise industry. With reimagined staterooms, technology, and even hot tubs, the cruise line is following through on that goal. 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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