The travel industry can rejoice in a booked holiday season, but it should worry about the long game

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On Point | TODAY'S NEWS. TOMORROW'S INSIGHTS
Travel takes off
The news
Back in the saddle. Leisure travel is rebounding, which is pumping up the share prices of many airlines, travel companies, and cruise and casino operators. Consumer surveys and bookings point to a buoyant season of holiday travel in the US, though less so internationally. [WSJ]
Revisiting frequent-flying programs. After a steep drop-off in travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines are lowering the bar to achieving status and rewards in their frequent-flyer programs. Climate change puts a pall over unnecessary flying, so some programs are focusing on alternative ways to rack up points. [NYT]
As travel volumes are returning in many parts of the world, customer experience is emerging as the challenge of the recovery.
Our insights
Why it matters. Although the travel industry’s performance (as measured by multiple variables, including revenues and cancellations, website visitation, and future bookings) in 2021 improved considerably, the Skift Recovery Index shows it is still 35% below prepandemic levels globally. It’s also uneven, with a stronger recovery in North America than Asia. Industry headwinds include growing dissatisfaction among travelers and strained operational capacity.
Be best, first. Customers are twice as likely to try new brands and experiences as a result of the pandemic, but companies that rapidly focus on giving travelers a great experience can rebuild trust and loyalty. See our report for the three pillars of an optimal customer experience, aided by the power of modern digital systems to measure impact and predict behavior.
— Edited by Katy McLaughlin   
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