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Today’s podcast covers Booking.com’s cruise offerings, Americans’ international preferences and the excitement of Wizz.
Rashaad Jordan
Hello from Skift. It is Friday, November 10. Here’s what you need to know about the travel industry today.
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Episode Notes
Booking.com took a step to diversify its offering on Thursday. The company launched cruises in the United States through a partnership with cruise agency World Holdings, reports editor-in-chief Dennis Schaal.
Schaal writes that Booking.com offers cruises as part of its efforts to become a larger force in the United States, the world’s largest cruise market. A company spokesperson said Booking.com’s cruises would offer customers access to exclusive deals and offers on its platform. Schaal adds that Booking.com customers could choose from more than 10,000 sailings on more than 30 routes.
Following, Americans have gone abroad in large numbers this year. So, what have been the most popular destinations for American travelers? Flight booking data reveals that Cancun and London are the top international destinations for Americans so far this year, reports Sean O’Neill, senior hospitality editor.
About 17.5% of all flight bookings from U.S. cities to international destinations from January to August were destined for Cancun. Bookings between the United States and Cancun reached 91% of 2019 levels. Meanwhile, London was the second most popular destination for US airports with 8.5% of bookings.
Meanwhile, New York City was the top domestic destination for U.S. travelers with about 4% of flight bookings.
Finally, Wizz Air has seen huge growth as a result of the pandemic. But that growth is expected to stop next year, reports Edward Russell, editor of Skift Airline Weekly.
The Hungary-based airline has been boosted by an increase in seats in London and Italy as well as the arrival of dozens of new Airbus planes. However, Russell notes that Wizz has been hit hard by engine problems affecting many of its jets. Wizz expects at least 45 of its approximately 200 planes to be grounded in January. The airline also suspended flights to Israel.
Meanwhile, Wizz reported an operating profit of $560 million and an operating margin of 17.1% in the six months ended September.
