Hotel Investors Rally Around Leisure Strategy

Analysts signaled they like what's happening with Hyatt's push into more leisure-oriented properties following a nearly $2.7 billion acquisition. -Cameron Sperance

United’s 2022 Plan to Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels Tripped Up by Omicron

United Airlines had expected to fly more this year than it did in 2019, but the spread of the Omicron variant caused a huge slump in first-quarter demand, a hole United doesn't expect to climb out of no matter how strong the rest of the year is. -Madhu Unnikrishnan

What Sonder Can Teach the Hospitality Industry

Sonder and its peers could absolutely disrupt the relationships between hotel owners and operators. But their grandiose plans for the hotel industry won't take fruit unless they're able to implement the technology upgrades that so many properties sorely need. -Max Starkov

What Travelers Told Expedia About Eco-Friendly Trips and Overtourism

Consumer tastes are continuing to shift towards sustainability, authenticity and wellness, according to Expedia Group's latest global survey. The opportunity is ripe this year for tourism to tap into this steady transformation and drive change alongside economic recovery. -Lebawit Lily Girma

‘Exquisite views and total exhilaration’: readers’ favourite running routes

From the Med to the Pentland hills, our tipsters find their pace by azure seas, medieval city centres, ancient woods and up lofty ridges I love running in Ghent. It is completely flat, so encouraging for beginners and people aiming for personal bests. There is a rowing lake with a 5km track around the outside called Watersportsbaan. This connects with a nature reserve called Blaarmeersen on an 8km loop (with an artificial sandy beach to play volleyball, or swim in afterwards). To extend your route, there are gorgeous paths following the Leie River out into the countryside or through the historic city centre. If that isn’t enough, there is another nature reserve, full of wader birds and canals, called Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, surrounded by a 10k loop. I will be running my first marathon in Ghent in March 2022. Beer, waffles and chocolate after, anyone? Jennifer Coleman Continue reading...

Fresh powder: the best French ski resorts you’ve never heard of

If Chamonix is beyond your budget, don’t despair – there are plenty of small but charming resorts in the Alps and beyond. We round up some of the best The recent change in travel advice allowing UK citizens to travel to France again has put the country back on the agenda for the ski season. While skiers scramble to secure packages to the famous mega-resorts, there are dozens of smaller, lesser-known ski villages that offer excellent value for money while combining thrilling skiing with old-time charm and glorious natural surroundings. Here are a few that offer a change of scene and pace. Continue reading...

Etihad Airways Boosts a Green Loyalty Program as Competitive Advantage

Etihad is betting that as passengers return to flying, sustainability will be more of a concern. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is allowing passengers to offset not just their flights but even how much they drive and their use of air conditioning through its new green loyalty program. -Ted Reed

Sonder Underwhelms in Public Debut

Sonder's delayed stock market debut came to be, finally. Now with a $310 million injection of proceeds from private investors, and tapping into a $165 million credit line, the company can go about its business trying to build the next household name hospitality brand. -Dennis Schaal

Genting Hong Kong Cruise Line to Liquidate

Genting may not be one of the cruise sector's giants, but its collapse showcases just how much the pandemic has battered that industry. -Tom Lowry

From bees to bins: how a London hotel aims to become truly net-zero

A stay at Chiswick’s room2 casts light on its claim to be an entirely sustainable hotel, from its rooftop wildlife to the revolutionary bins. Plus, four sustainable hotels across Europe We’ve all seen that sign in hotels where we are encouraged to reuse our towels for the sake of the planet. Often it’s just lip service. But what if that idea is taken a level upwards – to make your whole hotel sustainable? That’s the premise at room2 in Chiswick, west London, said to be the world’s first net zero “hometel”. It’s forecast to be 89% more energy efficient than a typical UK hotel and has a host of sustainable measures, from solar panels to recycled furniture, zero food waste and a wildflower roof. Continue reading...

CDC Advises Americans Against Travel to Israel, Bahamas, Egypt and Others

It's a wonder whether the travel advisories from senior U.S. health officials still have an impact as Omicron is now a global variant and vaccinated folks will travel if they want to. -Lebawit Lily Girma

Variants Dash Travel’s Hopes in 2021 : New Skift Recovery Index

Last year wasn't the runaway success the travel industry anticipated — or needed. -Wouter Geerts

The best ever A380 airline stunts

Incredible new photos show a woman in Emirates flight attendant uniform perched on the spire of the Burj Khalifa as an Airbus A380 flies past, but it's not the first time the superjumbo has been used for a publicity stunt.

Tell us about your favourite winter cycling route – you could win a holiday voucher

Whether it’s a sunny ride in southern Europe or a muddy cross-country pedal in the UK, share details of a great cycle route – the best tip wins £200 towards a Sawday’s stay The UK and Europe are home to some of the world’s most spectacular cycling routes, through magnificent mountainous regions and places steeped in history to more leisurely routes meandering through peaceful villages and towns. Whether it’s a few days riding along the Parenzena, a beautiful cycle route that runs between Trieste in Italy and Poreč in Croatia, pootling along the Monsal Trail in Derbyshire or having an epic adventure exploring foothills of the Albanian Alps, we would like to hear about your favourite winter cycle routes. If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words that will be judged for the competition. Continue reading...

Cruise-Dependent Travel Agents Seek Alternatives After Another CDC Warning

Travel agents should've been expecting a development would arise making the sale of cruises difficult since the cruise industry has been so volatile since the start of the pandemic. It's clear to many agents now to find ways to be less dependent on booking cruises. -Rashaad Jorden

Watch these horses jump through 'purifying' fire

Spain's "Las Luminarias" festival has returned for the first time since the pandemic began, according to Reuters. About 100 horses leaped through bonfires, following a yearly ancient tradition.

Thailand Considers Dropping Quarantines Again for Vaccinated Visitors

More signs of Omicron waning. Thai officials are mulling whether to drop quarantine requirements yet again for vaccinated tourists entering the country. -Tom Lowry

Regional Pilot Shortage Slows the U.S. Airline Recovery

Airlines may be waving goodbye to the Omicron variant but they are just beginning to feel the fallout from the pandemic. U.S. carriers face a worsening shortage of pilots to fly small, regional jets, which is hampering their recovery and sending more travelers into the hands of budget competitors. -Edward Russell

Turkmenistan wants to close the 'Gates of Hell'

This week in travel, the United States declared Canada a "very high" risk destination, the world's most powerful passports for 2022 were revealed and Turkmenistan's president called for the country's "Gates of Hell" to close.

Destination Canada’s Unique Status-Match Promotion With Air Canada Shows Promise

Destination Canada broke new ground by helping to pay for many U.S. elite status flyers to get matching status on Air Canada. The promotion was a noteworthy example of a destination marketing organization working with a travel tech company to target high-value customers. -Sean O'Neill

See volcano's miles-long lava flow

The Wolf volcano, in the Galapagos, erupted without warning in early January, after seven years of "relative calm," according to local authorities.

Podcast: Google Travel Exec on Sustainability and Search

Listen now to a conversation with Google Travel Managing Director Richard Holden at Skift Global Forum in September 2021 in New York City. -Skift Staff

Beijing Toughens Inbound Travel Covid Test Rules Over Omicron

China's zero-Covid efforts may be about to go by the wayside, particularly with the Winter Olympics just over two weeks away. -Lebawit Lily Girma

Ten great guided walks in the UK

Boot up, pack your thermos and step out to discover some of the country’s best kept secrets Head to Anglesey this winter and learn how shipwrecks, princes and tragic lovers shaped this idyllic island. Formerly a Bronze Age copper mine, then (thanks to its fertile soil), the breadbasket of Wales, Anglesey today has a nibbled coastline of tiny coves and fishing harbours, fronting a bosky interior where red squirrels thrive. You can fashion your day to suit your interests, or combine that guided hike with a headrush of thrilling experiences – all offered by Knowdownia, North Wales’s new, itinerary-free tour company. Try out the world’s fastest zipline, surf in remote bays, or admire Snowdonia’s mountain range while thundering over twisty dirt tracks on a gravity-driven quarry kart. Guided walks available all year. A one-day experience costs from £325 for four people and includes pickup and drop-off anywhere in North Wales; knowdonia.com Continue reading...

Norse Atlantic Gets Thumbs Up to Fly From Europe to the U.S.

Timing is everything, and this startup carrier has much to gain if the Europe-North America market does manage to take off this spring. -Matthew Parsons

Marriott’s Refresh of W Hotels and Other Top Travel Stories This Week

In Skift's top stories this week, Marriott indicates W Hotels will get a makeover, Google Maps was the most downloaded travel app in 2021, and Omicron batters European hotels. -Rashaad Jorden

All well and good: 10 top healthy retreats in the UK for 2022

Our wellbeing breaks, from chic Richmond to remote Cairngorms, all include some yoga, but add camping, foraging, swimming and even pottery to the mix Just outside Brighton, in the South Downs, Luna Wilds is a new, off-grid wild spa and retreat built with reclaimed materials by local yoga teacher Laura Brown and her partner Mike Lord. As well as regular day events with spa treatments and time in the wood-fired sauna and outdoor tubs, there’s a choice of weekend options. On a Wild Creativity break, guests learn pottery and practise yoga and meditation. Food is plant-based and plentiful, there are evening campfires, time in the spa and a guided South Downs walk. Book a basic pre-pitched tent with blow-up mattress (£30) or bring your own. Next Wild Creativity break 13-15 May, £325 (£300 if booked by 31 January), lunawilds.co.uk Continue reading...

Hotels vs. Airlines: Who Can Ride Inflation to a Full Recovery?

Inflation can be a good thing for travel sectors able to play the rate game. But volume eventually has to catch up and play a part in the rebound. Otherwise, you run the risk of driving customers, no matter how desperate they are to travel, to just say no to high costs. -Cameron Sperance

20 of the world's best soups

If a steaming bowl of soup strikes you as the ultimate in old-fashioned comfort, you've got plenty of company. Soup is one of the world's oldest and most universal foods, said Janet Clarkson, author of the book "Soup: A Global History."

Skift Megatrends Coming January 19: What to Expect

One thing we're certain about 2022 is that smart brands, companies, and destinations need to be ready to quickly respond to changes. Our annual Megatrends can offer a roadmap to success. -Jason Clampet

A great walk to a great pub: the Drover’s Rest, Cumbria

A warm, cosy hostelry with splendid sausage sandwiches rewards walkers on this Solway coast stroll through Roman, medieval and Victorian history Start The Drover’s Rest, Monkhill Distance 8 miles Time 4 hours Total ascent 70 metres Difficulty: Moderate Continue reading...

TravelPerk Nabs $1.3 Billion Valuation: Travel Startup Funding This Week

This week, travel startups announced more than $198 million in funding, including business management startup TravelPerk and a half-dozen other companies. -Sean O'Neill

Delta CEO Predicts Omicron Peak Will Mark Shift to an Endemic Covid-19

Delta took an Omicron-sized hit in December that has continued into the new year. But the airline remains bullish on the recovery, which CEO Ed Bastian says can move forward apace now that Covid-19 is likely moving toward being an endemic, like the flu. -Edward Russell

Microsoft Invests in Jet Fuel Biorefinery

Another big name jumps on to the renewable fuel bandwagon for aviation. Let's hope Microsoft ups that $50 million ante real soon. -Tom Lowry

France ends UK travel ban

As infection rates soar across Europe, France has relaxed its travel ban on arrivals from the UK -- just in time for the peak ski season.

Daily Podcast: Vaccine Equity Is Still Hurting Travel

Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, January 13, in New York City. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today. -Jason Clampet

Foraged feasts and BFG footprints: my car-free break in the Chilterns

New bus routes make it easier to explore the rural idyll that inspired Milton, Roald Dahl and David Bowie. Last autumn our author immersed herself in the woods and fare of Buckinghamshire Sunlight slants through the woodsmoke. Inside a big, fairy-lit tipi, tables are decked with candles and fresh maple branches. I’m just starting a five-day car-free break in the Chilterns, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with easy access by train, Metropolitan Line tube, and two new bus routes that started in August 2021. My favourite car-free walk in the area is a circuit from Tring station up the Ridgeway to Ivinghoe Beacon and back via the Ashridge Estate. I’m hoping for woodland walks, country pubs and seasonal produce, so a gourmet lunch under the trees feels like a perfect beginning. Outdoor dining company Nomadic has been hosting elegant meals here in Shrubs Wood for three years, sourcing fruit, veg and herbs from its garden nearby. Today’s fungi-themed feast starts with a walk through the trees. Professional foragers Izzy (@rightsforweeds) and Ru (@londonwildfruits) lead us from glade to glade like woodland elves, pointing out edible and deadly toadstools with equal delight. They are particularly enthusiastic about a little row of hare’s-foot inkcaps, which range from a bullet-shaped bulb to a tall, upturned parasol, showing the “stages of mushroom morphology”. Lunch includes truffle-laced shiitake soup, hen of the woods on toast, roast halibut topped with ceps and chanterelles, and a pear and apple compote from the orchard. It’s clearly a winning formula: despite the eye-watering price tag of £99, everyone I talk to here to has been at least once before. Nomadic plans to kick off 2022’s feasts with some Valentine-themed meals in February and regular lunch dates from March, including events surrounded by April bluebells. Continue reading...

Business Travel Shakeout Begins as Pfizer Axes Staff on Virtual Meetings Rise

As more companies are unveiling plans to send less staff on the road in years to come, corporate travel hitting pre-pandemic figures anytime soon is increasingly looking inconceivable. -Rashaad Jorden

Thailand Will Charge $9 Tourist Tax Starting in April

It's not a surprising move for a destination with one of the longest pandemic shutdowns. Travel just keeps getting more expensive. -Lebawit Lily Girma

TravelPerk Enlists Former Booking.com CEO to Scale Up After Raising $115 Million

Gillian Tans is now back in the travel space after investing in the corporate travel agency and joining its board. Here’s what the Spanish startup hopes to gain. -Matthew Parsons

Hong Kong Investigates Cathay Pacific Crew After Isolation Breach

The government's probe comes after a fresh Covid-19 outbreak in the city, which was attributed to the two absconding crew members. -Matthew Parsons

A peculiar beauty: strolling on a new trail around Kent’s Hoo peninsula

A newly created stretch of the England Coast Path opens up a remote part of the Thames estuary filled with the calls of seabirds At the water’s edge stands a second world war pillbox, a magnet for hundreds of roosting birds. A flock takes to the wing and, through my binoculars, I make out curlew and brent geese; in the distance a pink container ship slinks slowly along the horizon. There’s no one around, the clarity of the cold morning light on the Thames adding to the sense of remoteness. I’m on the Isle Grain, at the tip of the Hoo peninsula in north Kent, being introduced to the newest section of the England Coast Path, officially open today (12 January). This 47-mile stretch runs east from the village of Grain to Woolwich and forms part of, eventually, a 2,800-mile national trail around the coast. Continue reading...

Share your favourite running route in the UK and Europe – you could win a holiday voucher

Tell us about a running route you enjoy, whether it’s in a city park, along a river, on a coastal path or over hills – the winning tipster will receive a Sawday’s voucher worth £200 The best things about running or jogging are that it costs very little (for basic kit), doesn’t eat into the day, lifts your mood, and can take you to parts other sports cannot reach. No surprise, then, that an estimated 7 million people across the country (almost one in 10 of us) have taken up running since Covid started. So we’d like to know where your favourite runs take you in the UK (and Europe now that things are opening up a little) – maybe a city park, a cross-country course or a beach. If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words that will be judged for the competition. Keep your tip to about 100 words Continue reading...

Australia’s Camplify Benefits From the ‘Van Life’ Trend

In 2021, Camplify went public as a kind of Airbnb for recreational vehicles. Its financial numbers help serve as a benchmark for the potential of this segment, with its many competitors. -Sean O'Neill

The residential cruise ship offering a 'more affordable' life at sea

Launching in 2024, Storylines is selling fully furnished one-to-four-bedroom residences, along with studios and two-story penthouses on board its upcoming ship, with prices starting at $400,000 and rising to $8 million.

Heathrow Airport’s 2021 Passenger Numbers Lower Than Previous Year

Short-notice restrictions have done the most harm, and now the airport's CEO is worried things won't change for years to come. -Matthew Parsons

Tell us about your favourite travel book – you could win a £200 holiday voucher

Whether it’s an adventure classic or a more recent travelogue, share your favourite – the best tip wins £200 towards a Sawday’s stay We would like to hear about your favourite travel book – something you have read that has allowed you to escape for a moment, at a time when actual escape has been difficult. Whether it is a tome by Eric Newby, a journal about travel in Victorian times by Mary Kingsley, one of Bill Bryson’s popular classics or a more recent adventure by Helen Lloyd, what has transported you into distant realms and why? Maybe it sparked the trip of a lifetime, or has got you plotting your next adventure? If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words that will be judged for the competition. Keep your tip to about 100 words Continue reading...

CDC Advises Americans Not to Travel to Canada

Many Americans, long fed up with travel restrictions, will likely ignore the CDC's warning — which would be a huge relief to Canadian businesses that still haven't recouped the billions of dollars lost due to the U.S.-Canada border being closed for much of the pandemic. -Rashaad Jorden

10 of the UK’s best botanical hothouses for a winter warm-up

Where can you see the world’s oldest pot plant? Or walk from Australia to Chile in two minutes? Here’s our pick of botanical wonderlands, many restored to their Victorian splendour There are many ways to get some winter heat into your bones. Some countries swear by saunas; others partake of hot springs or sweat lodges. In Britain, however, there is an alternative that doesn’t involve taking your clothes off: the tropical hothouse. Early practitioners of hothouse horticulture faced formidable obstacles: in the 15th century, alchemist George Ripley suffered death for making a pear tree, “fructify in winter”. It was Victorian gardeners, however, who really triumphed, erecting massive structures and growing rarities like pineapples, bananas and even papayas. Not that things always went smoothly, the Palm House at Kew was opened in 1848, but the curators had managed to kill many of the specimens by 1895 (tinted green glass was a bad idea). Since then, science has ironed out many problems and green technology powers a new wave of fine, steamy hothouses around the country. In addition, some of our best Victorian hothouses have been significantly modernised while keeping the original look. Continue reading...

Royal Caribbean cancels voyages on 4 ships because of Covid-19

Royal Caribbean International announced on Friday it has canceled voyages on four ships because of "ongoing Covid-related circumstances around the world."

Share your favourite travel photo for a chance to win a £200 holiday voucher

Send a picture from your travels and tell us the story behind it – the best tip wins £200 towards a Sawday’s stay In a year where travel has been difficult to organise and our escapes have been fleeting, more than ever our holiday photographs have become an important keepsake – something we can look back at to remember sunnier climes, intrepid adventures or exciting city breaks with friends. We would like you to share your favourite travel photograph, and also the story behind it. We will be judging both the photo and your accompanying words. Keep your tip to about 100 words Continue reading...