21 Aug
Travel

How Much the Human Connection Still Matters

Sommet Education

The Glion Institute of Higher Education, which is part of Sommet Education in Montreux, Switzerland, has launched a master’s program in luxury and guest experience. Sommet Education

Skift Take: Serving the emotional needs of clients, a key theme during this year’s Virtuoso Travel Week, is another indicator of how the travel advisor’s role continues to evolve beyond the booking of travel. Tech tools are a help in determining emotional needs, but not as much as human interaction.

— Maria Lenhart

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21 Aug
Travel

Travel Advisors Say Price — Not Pollution — Still Top Concern for Most Cruisers

Carnival Corp.

The MS Koningsdam as seen in an aerial view in Venice. Travel advisors aren’t seeing much impact from the pollution fine against Carnival Corp. Carnival Corp.

Skift Take: While the cruise industry’s dismal record on sustainability hasn’t yet sparked concern among most cruise passengers or inspired major changes, small cruise operators are stepping up their game on green practices.

— Maria Lenhart

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21 Aug
Travel

Today’s Honeymooners Want Adventure Over Relaxation

One&Only Nyungwe House

At the One&Only Nyungwe House in Rwanda, honeymooners can go tea picking with a staff member. Couples are increasingly choosing adventure-filled honeymoons. One&Only Nyungwe House

Skift Take: Once, many honeymooners just wanted to relax at a quiet beach. But times change. Now it’s all about adventure, experts say. And why not? In all aspects of travel, people are becoming more daring.

— Brian Sumers

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21 Aug
Travel

Barcelona Openings Underline a Luxury Market in Transition

Amit Geron / Sir Hotels

The Sir Victor facade. The hotel is one of Barcelona’s newest openings. Amit Geron / Sir Hotels

Skift Take: Sophisticated serenity is the best way to describe luxury hospitality in the Catalan capital where troubles including sky-high petty crime rates, legality surrounding Airbnb, and political tensions bubble under the surface. For a city once considered the coolest in Europe, its development is useful to watch for other cities just now entering their gilded age of tourism.

— Samantha Shankman

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21 Aug
Travel

Why Marriott’s New Dynamic Pricing May Not Leave Bonvoy Members Joyous

Marriott International

A Marriott Homes & Villas property in Tulum. Marriott launches dynamic pricing for Bonvoy rewards this September. Marriott International

Skift Take: Marriott’s new pricing structure will help it better control inventory during high and low seasons — but as a result, some travelers may find it harder to find deals on their favorite vacation properties.

— Grant Martin

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21 Aug
Travel

Why Do Airlines Suffer So Many Tech Glitches?

Jason Alden / Bloomberg

A British Airways airplane comes into land at Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport in London. The carrier faced an IT glitch at London in early August, extending a string of tech troubles. Jason Alden / Bloomberg

Skift Take: A British Airways hiccup earlier this month was merely the latest tech outage at a number of airlines. Why does the industry suffer from so many glitches? Experts point to some deeper reasons beyond the commonly heard “old tech” explanation.

— Sean O’Neill

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