Marriott and Accor CEOs Disagree on How Quickly Europe’s Hotels Will Recover

Jim Trodel  / Flickr

The CEOs of Accor and Marriott disagree on whether European hotels are too dependent on long-haul travel to recover quickly from coronavirus. Jim Trodel / Flickr

Skift Take: As long as Europe can create a strong network of travel bubbles or reopen as much of the Schengen Area without coronavirus travel restrictions, its hotel recovery timeline may surprise hotel executives like Marriott’s Arne Sorenson.

— Cameron Sperance

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Marriott CEO: Virtual Meetings and Remote Work Won’t Hurt Hotels Permanently

Manningmbd  / Wikimedia

Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson doesn’t anticipate coronavirus to have a different impact on the hotel industry than any other economic crisis has in the last 30 years. Manningmbd / Wikimedia

Skift Take: Marriott’s Arne Sorenson is optimistic that hotels will eventually go back to pre-coronavirus performance levels, but the biggest uncertainty remains over how long group travel fears will prevent business from a full rebound.

— Cameron Sperance

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Spain Calls for Investigation Into Airlines Breaching EU Refund Regulations

Iberia Airlines

An Iberia aircraft at Madrid’s Barajas airport. Iberia Airlines

Skift Take: Airline refunds have not been happening as they should be in Europe in the wake of mass cancellations due to the virus. Though it’s not clear which specific airlines are at fault, the practice has been widespread enough to warrant an investigation.

— Rosie Spinks

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Greek Hotels Reopened Monday to Uncertain Summer Travel Season

Pedro Szekely  / Flickr

Greek hotel operators were able to reopen properties Monday, but that doesn’t mean demand levels justify resumed operations. Pedro Szekely / Flickr

Skift Take: Greece’s tourism sector is technically reopened to business, but a normal level of operation hinges on demand giving hoteliers a reason to resume business at temporarily shuttered properties.

— Cameron Sperance

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China Eases Flight Curbs After U.S. Targets Its Carriers

孤飞的鹤  / Adobe

China has slashed international flights since late March to allay concerns over rising coronavirus infections brought by arriving passengers. 孤飞的鹤 / Adobe

Skift Take: China’s policies are about to become even more complex, and airlines will need to jump through even more hoops if they want to increase flight frequencies to the country.

— Matthew Parsons

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Airlines Will Tap New Tech in These Uncertain Times to Make It Easier to Change Restricted Tickets

Associated Press

A passenger checks in for a JetBlue flight. Associated Press

Skift Take: Many travelers no longer want to take some trips this year for various reasons, even if their flights haven’t been canceled. A new automated solution will speed up the pace at which airlines can rebook passengers by overriding the restrictions on tickets bought before the crisis.

— Sean O’Neill

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