This week we're doubling down on Las Vegas – specifically to its hotel occupancy numbers, which were surprisingly weak this summer. Our hotels editor Christina Jelski has been talking with Las Vegas tourism authorities about two new campaigns designed to drive interest: a splashy marketing campaign touting “fabulous Las Vegas” as well as a more targeted effort to lure travelers with value-add promotions. 

With Christina, Kyle Owusu, director of credit research and lead expert/analyst for casino and gaming coverage at Octus, and Matt Powell, CEO of the Moroch advertising agency in Dallas, we look at: Who are Vegas’ missing travelers? Plus, whether Vegas is a luxury destination and why it's important to stay balanced for travelers at different price points, competition outside of Las Vegas, those new marketing campaigns -- and more.

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International https://www.travelinsured.com

Related links:

Las Vegas hotels grapple with steep occupancy decline https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Las-Vegas-hotels-grapple-with-steep-occupancy-decline

Las Vegas' new ad campaigns coincides with tourism slump https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Las-Vegas-new-ad-campaign-long-term-play

'Fabulous' at every price point is the new message from Las Vegas https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Fabulous-ad-campaign-for-Las-Vegas

Caesars Entertainment's Q2 concerns soft summer for Las Vegas: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Caesars-Entertainment-reports-soft-summer-in-Las-Vegas-amid-declining-occupancy

Octus https://octus.com/

Moroch https://moroch.com/

This week we're doubling down on Las Vegas &ndash; specifically to its hotel occupancy numbers, which were surprisingly weak this summer. Our hotels editor Christina Jelski has been talking with Las Vegas tourism authorities about two new campaigns designed to drive interest: a splashy marketing campaign touting &ldquo;fabulous Las Vegas&rdquo; as well as a more targeted effort to lure travelers with value-add promotions.&nbsp;
With Christina, Kyle Owusu, director of credit research and lead expert/analyst for casino and gaming coverage at Octus, and Matt Powell, CEO of the Moroch advertising agency in Dallas, we look at: Who are Vegas&rsquo; missing travelers? Plus, whether Vegas is a luxury destination and why it's important to stay balanced for travelers at different price points, competition outside of Las Vegas, those new marketing campaigns -- and more.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com">https://www.travelinsured.com</a>
Related links:
Las Vegas hotels grapple with steep occupancy decline <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Las-Vegas-hotels-grapple-with-steep-occupancy-decline">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Las-Vegas-hotels-grapple-with-steep-occupancy-decline</a>
Las Vegas' new ad campaigns coincides with tourism slump <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Las-Vegas-new-ad-campaign-long-term-play">https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Las-Vegas-new-ad-campaign-long-term-play</a>
'Fabulous' at every price point is the new message from Las Vegas <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Fabulous-ad-campaign-for-Las-Vegas">https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Fabulous-ad-campaign-for-Las-Vegas</a>
Caesars Entertainment's Q2 concerns soft summer for Las Vegas: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Caesars-Entertainment-reports-soft-summer-in-Las-Vegas-amid-declining-occupancy">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Caesars-Entertainment-reports-soft-summer-in-Las-Vegas-amid-declining-occupancy</a>
Octus <a href="https://octus.com/">https://octus.com/</a>
Moroch <a href="https://moroch.com/">https://moroch.com/</a>

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Las Vegas' soft summer, and its new message to travelers

We’ve been keeping a close eye on travel demand to Mexico. Tourism was rocked earlier this year after cartel-related upheaval in the state of Jalisco, particularly in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalejara. The U.S. embassy in Mexico issued shelter-in-place alerts, which were briefly expanded across Mexico to places like Cancun, Tulum, Baja California and Oaxaca. Disturbances were soon quieted, but not before some travelers were spooked.

Three months later, host Rebecca Tobin talks with Jacki Marks, the global head of trade brands for Mexico powerhouse ALG Vacations, and Travel Weekly hotels editor Christina Jelski about tourism sentiment today. Is travel on the rebound, and where did travelers go instead of Mexico? Is economic uncertainty and fuel costs having an impact on destination decisions? And, if you want a unique or special Mexico resort, where might you consider going? 

This episode was recorded Wednesday, May 20, and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares. Stay on at the end of the Mexico discussion for a sponsored interview with Tourism Cares’ CEO Greg Takehara and Mary Pat Sullivan, the executive vice president of marketing partnerships for Northstar Travel Group.

Related links

Sellers and hoteliers say that Mexico travel is on the rebound https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Mexico-travel-demand-on-the-mend?ct=mexico

ALG Vacations expects a short-term decline in Mexico (March 8) https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/ALG-Vacations-expects-short-term-tourism-decline-Mexico?ct=mexico

Newsletter sign-up page for our Mexico eNewsletter https://www.travelweekly.com/Newsletters

ALG Vacations https://alg.www.vaxvacationaccess.com/ (Part of Hyatt Hotels Corp https://www.hyatt.com/loyalty/en-US)

Christina Jelski's The Last Resort podcast: Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Last-Resort/season-2-episode-1-Impression-Isla-Mujeres-by-Secrets

 

We&rsquo;ve been keeping a close eye on travel demand to Mexico. Tourism was rocked earlier this year after cartel-related upheaval in the state of Jalisco, particularly in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalejara. The U.S. embassy in Mexico issued shelter-in-place alerts, which were briefly expanded across Mexico to places like Cancun, Tulum, Baja California and Oaxaca. Disturbances were soon quieted, but not before some travelers were spooked.
Three months later, host Rebecca Tobin talks with Jacki Marks, the global head of trade brands for Mexico powerhouse ALG Vacations, and Travel Weekly hotels editor Christina Jelski about tourism sentiment today. Is travel on the rebound, and where did travelers go instead of Mexico? Is economic uncertainty and fuel costs having an impact on destination decisions? And, if you want a unique or special Mexico resort, where might you consider going?&nbsp;
This episode was recorded Wednesday, May 20, and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares. Stay on at the end of the Mexico discussion for a sponsored interview with Tourism Cares&rsquo; CEO Greg Takehara and Mary Pat Sullivan, the executive vice president of marketing partnerships for Northstar Travel Group.
Related links
Sellers and hoteliers say that Mexico travel is on the rebound <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Mexico-travel-demand-on-the-mend?ct=mexico">https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Mexico-travel-demand-on-the-mend?ct=mexico</a>
ALG Vacations expects a short-term decline in Mexico (March 8) <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/ALG-Vacations-expects-short-term-tourism-decline-Mexico?ct=mexico">https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/ALG-Vacations-expects-short-term-tourism-decline-Mexico?ct=mexico</a>
Newsletter sign-up page for our Mexico eNewsletter <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Newsletters">https://www.travelweekly.com/Newsletters</a>
ALG Vacations <a href="https://alg.www.vaxvacationaccess.com/">https://alg.www.vaxvacationaccess.com/ </a>(Part of Hyatt Hotels Corp <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/loyalty/en-US">https://www.hyatt.com/loyalty/en-US</a>)
Christina Jelski's The Last Resort podcast: Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Last-Resort/season-2-episode-1-Impression-Isla-Mujeres-by-Secrets">https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Last-Resort/season-2-episode-1-Impression-Isla-Mujeres-by-Secrets</a>
&nbsp;

Mexico travel: How demand is faring after February's cartel upheaval

One big question for North America travel is: how strong travel demand will be for the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in just a few weeks. This year the matches are being played in cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and at the beginning of the year expectations among destination marketing organizations and hotels was very high -- and then it seemed to taper off a bit. 

In this episode we’re talking with editor in chief Johanna Jainchill and Eric Hanson, the senior vice president and head of government relations at U.S.’ prime travel advocacy organization, the U.S. Travel Association, about some of the issues facing inbound U.S. travel. Among our subjects: The unique attributes of World Cup travel, the calls for travel boycotts, perception versus reality when it comes to U.S. travel and the importance of getting Brand USA back on its funding feet.

This episode was recorded May 11and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares https://www.tourismcares.org.

Related reports:

Cover story: The U.S. is playing on a global stage https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup

Hotel trade group says World Cup demand is below expectations https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations

U.S. Travel Association condemns travel advisory issued for World Cup https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup

U.S. Travel Association: https://www.ustravel.org

One big question for North America travel is: how strong travel demand will be for the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in just a few weeks. This year the matches are being played in cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and at the beginning of the year expectations among destination marketing organizations and hotels was very high -- and then it seemed to taper off a bit.&nbsp;
In this episode we&rsquo;re talking with editor in chief Johanna Jainchill and Eric Hanson, the senior vice president and head of government relations at U.S.&rsquo; prime travel advocacy organization, the U.S. Travel Association, about some of the issues facing inbound U.S. travel. Among our subjects: The unique attributes of World Cup travel, the calls for travel boycotts, perception versus reality when it comes to U.S. travel and the importance of getting Brand USA back on its funding feet.
This episode was recorded May 11and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tourismcares.org">https://www.tourismcares.org</a>.
Related reports:
Cover story: The U.S. is playing on a global stage <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup">https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup</a>
Hotel trade group says World Cup demand is below expectations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations</a>
U.S. Travel Association condemns travel advisory issued for World Cup <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup</a><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Playing-on-a-global-stage-World-Cup"></a>
U.S. Travel Association: <a href="https://www.ustravel.org">https://www.ustravel.org</a>

Why the stakes are high for U.S. travel during the World Cup

We’re devoting this episode to the two stories on the front page of this week’s Travel Weekly: The Spirit Airlines shutdown and a megadeal to acquire American Express Global Business Travel.  

First we’ll talk with aviation editor Robert Silk about the closure of Spirit Airlines, which has been a fascinating company to watch and cover over the last two decades. From small airline to low-cost powerhouse, it was a game changer, but over the last couple of years it’s been suffering, and finally this month the clock ran out. We’ll be talking about that timeline and what happened to Spirit's business model. 

In the second half of our podcast we talk with our retail editor Jamie Biesiada about a surprise transaction that involves another powerhouse: American Express GBT. The plan is a purchase by an AI-driven investment firm that would take the TMC private, so we’re talking here about AI, the biggest travel agencies, human vs agentic interactions and the current appetite for corporate travel. 

This episode was recorded in two parts, on Wednesday May 6 for Spirit and Friday May 8 for Amex GBT.

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares https://www.tourismcares.org

Related links:

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines halts operations amid financial struggles and high fuel prices https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-Airlines-halts-operations

How ultralow-cost carrier Spirit Airlines revolutionized the airline industry https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Ultralow-cost-pioneer-Spirit-revolutionized-airline-industry

Transportation secretary opposes federal aid for budget airlines https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/DOT-secretary-against-federal-aid-for-budget-airlines

American Express Global Business Travel

Long Lake Management to acquire American Express GBT for $6.3 billion https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-acquire-American-Express-GBT

AI-focused firm is a surprise buyer for Amex GBT -- and its deep data https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-surprise-buyer-Amex-GBT

American Express GBT deal coverage from Business Travel News https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Intelligence/Long-Lake-Agrees-to-Take-Amex-GBT-Off-Market-in-6-3B-Deal

 

We&rsquo;re devoting this episode to the two stories on the front page of this week&rsquo;s Travel Weekly: The Spirit Airlines shutdown and a megadeal to acquire American Express Global Business Travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;
First we&rsquo;ll talk with aviation editor Robert Silk about the closure of Spirit Airlines, which has been a fascinating company to watch and cover over the last two decades. From small airline to low-cost powerhouse, it was a game changer, but over the last couple of years it&rsquo;s been suffering, and finally this month the clock ran out. We&rsquo;ll be talking about that timeline and what happened to Spirit's business model.&nbsp;
In the second half of our podcast we talk with our retail editor Jamie Biesiada about a surprise transaction that involves another powerhouse: American Express GBT. The plan is a purchase by an AI-driven investment firm that would take the TMC private, so we&rsquo;re talking here about AI, the biggest travel agencies, human vs agentic interactions and the current appetite for corporate travel.&nbsp;
This episode was recorded in two parts, on Wednesday May 6 for Spirit and Friday May 8 for Amex GBT.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares <a href="https://www.tourismcares.org">https://www.tourismcares.org</a>
Related links:
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines halts operations amid financial struggles and high fuel prices <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-Airlines-halts-operations">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-Airlines-halts-operations</a>
How ultralow-cost carrier Spirit Airlines revolutionized the airline industry <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Ultralow-cost-pioneer-Spirit-revolutionized-airline-industry">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Ultralow-cost-pioneer-Spirit-revolutionized-airline-industry</a>
Transportation secretary opposes federal aid for budget airlines <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/DOT-secretary-against-federal-aid-for-budget-airlines">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/DOT-secretary-against-federal-aid-for-budget-airlines</a>
American Express Global Business Travel
Long Lake Management to acquire American Express GBT for $6.3 billion <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-acquire-American-Express-GBT">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-acquire-American-Express-GBT</a>
AI-focused firm is a surprise buyer for Amex GBT -- and its deep data&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-surprise-buyer-Amex-GBT">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-surprise-buyer-Amex-GBT</a>
American Express GBT deal coverage from Business Travel News <a href="https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Intelligence/Long-Lake-Agrees-to-Take-Amex-GBT-Off-Market-in-6-3B-Deal">https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Intelligence/Long-Lake-Agrees-to-Take-Amex-GBT-Off-Market-in-6-3B-Deal</a>
&nbsp;

Las Vegas' soft summer, and its new message to travelers

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