The Brexit and Tourism
Well that was a surprising end to the week, wasn't it? A majority of the citizens of the United Kingdom voted to exit the European Union on Thursday and that exit has huge implications over the next few years for tourism not just in the UK but around the world. While nobody knows exactly what will happen, we do know that this is just getting started. — Jason Clampet, Editor-in-Chief
Skift Take: Suffice it to say, everyone surprised by the outcome of the Brexit vote probably wishes they’d paid more attention to it than they did. Nevertheless, we probably won’t feel the immediate impacts of the UK’s exit until at least two years from now.
Skift Take: Suffice it to say, everyone surprised by the outcome of the Brexit vote probably wishes they’d paid more attention to it than they did. Nevertheless, we probably won’t feel the immediate impacts of the UK’s exit until at least two years from now.
Skift Take: For now nothing will change, except significant spending power impact for British travelers abroad. And pestering questions from whoever meets British travelers along the way: what the hell were you thinking, UK?
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Skift Take: Travel and tourism has been one of Europe's economic strengths in recent year. The Brexit would complicate matters for airlines, tour operators, and many others in the travel industry.
Hospitality
Even Airbnb knows it has a race problem. We spoke with experts about the possible solutions for the sharing economy giant. We also dove deep into SEC filings to understand the extent of Morgans Hotels' problems and tried to understand the abrupt departure of NH Hotels' CEO.
Skift Take: Discrimination isn’t a problem limited to peer-to-peer platforms like Airbnb, and it’s not a problem with the sharing economy itself. It’s a problem that has to do with human behavior — how we interact with one another, whether online or in real life — and one that travel brands need to offer more than lip service to improve.
Airlines
Everyone and their mother seemed to be interested in what Skift's new aviation business reporter Brian Sumers had to say about United's new business class seat (our most-read story this week). We also said some other smart things about flying.
Skift Take: Design firm Acumen did something no one thought possible. It created a high-density, direct-aisle access business class cabin for United Airlines. Will passengers like it? We'll find out early next year.
Skift Take: Design firm Acumen did something no one thought possible. It created a high-density, direct-aisle access business class cabin for United Airlines. Will passengers like it? We'll find out early next year.
Skift Take: Other airlines are trying to segment their customers as much as possible. But that's not something Southwest plans to copy.
Skift Take: Hawaiian Airlines is introducing new business class seats. But if you live in the mainland United States, you may not see a lot of them.
Skift Take: When it comes to regulating frequent flier programs, the U.S. Department of Transportation has little authority.
Skift Take: If you live in Florida, Silver Airways wants to be your-go to carrier for Cuba. Its plan may just work.
Special Reports
From corporate travel to digital marketing to meetings and conventions, these weekly reports will key you in to what we're saying about these specialties, as well as what other experts have to share, too.
Tourism
It's not all EU worries, this week. We wrote about our favorite annual list of cities and also poked around 2015 tourism numbers to better understand the direction of the industry.
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