Agoda looks to Asia’s domestic tourism for revenue
Bangkok-based online travel agency Agoda is counting on a revival of domestic tourism in parts of the region to help it weather the coronavirus pandemic, its CEO recently said. Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan are among the top markets where domestic tourism activity was returning, John Brown told Reuters, reflecting their success in containing outbreaks. With international travel restrictions in place to halt the contagion, the company is relying on domestic markets for its revenue, such as Thailand, where local bookings were up 20% from last year, he said.
A plea to U.S. leaders
A U.S.-based coalition comprising more than 225 public and private-sector groups has released a new ad imploring Congress to not leave town for the 2020 elections without passing additional COVID-19 economic relief. In a letter sent to Congress last week, the coalition, COVID Relief Now, said millions of jobs and survival of small businesses as well as vital government services are at stake.
Strong summer for UK staycations means high investor interest
While U.K. hotel investment volumes continue to be dominated by London — £1.42 billion (US$1.84 billion) in London versus £1.63 billion (US$2.1 billion) in the whole of the U.K. —, total deal count outside of London has climbed dramatically since the easing of lockdown, according to international real estate adviser Savills in its latest U.K. hotel investment report. Over 77% of deals made since April 2020 were from outside London, in line with the strong trading performance displayed across key U.K. staycation markets. As a result, interest levels from private investors for coastal and country hotels have surged.