Politics of U.S. travel: A November 12-14 survey by travel industry research company Phocuswright of 1,500 European travelers gauged their sentiment around travel to the U.S. and the potential impact of the U.S. election, and here’s what it found: 1 in 5 travelers in the U.K. and France and nearly 1 in 3 German travelers said they are less likely to travel to the U.S. Across all three countries, women are also significantly less likely than men to visit the U.S. – 27% vs. 19%.
Read the survey from Phocuswright
Walter Reed re-do: In November a partnership of Hines, Urban Atlantic and Triden Development Group signed a ground lease with Washington, D.C., to develop 66 acres of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus in northwest Washington, D.C. The ambitious mixed-use Parks at Walter Reed will include a 200-room hotel.
U.S. senator calls for Wanda review: Incoming U.S. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer is seeking increased scrutiny of China’s investment intentions in Hollywood and elsewhere, pointing to the takeover of U.S. companies by Dalian Wanda Group and others.
Read the article in the Wall Street Journal
Sydney hotel sold: The CEO of Australian company Merivale outbid competitors to purchase the art deco Tennyson Hotel in Sydney’s Mascot pub for A$37 million.
Google on smartphones: Google released a white paper about how people are using their smartphones for travel-related reasons. Some key words: Loyalty, simplicity and convenience.