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Booking.com CEO addresses company’s future in employee letter
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: In a letter to his company’s employees, Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel has outlined the company’s coronavirus strategy. The company, which owns leading OTA Booking.com has committed to cutting spending, salaries, and implementing a company-wide hiring freeze. Fogel said: “This is not the first major disruption to travel we have endured as a business, […]
UK to go on lockdown following Johnson’s speech
Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: In a speech to the British public yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tight lockdown measures will go into effect across the country. Guidelines limit gatherings of more than two people, an adoption of a shelter in place policy and a limiting of time outdoors to essential shopping and one period of exercise. This […]
Airbnb weighs up distressed asset acquisitions
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: After news emerged last week that Airbnb had received “significant” interest from private investors ahead of going public, sources have also revealed that the company may look to purchase struggling short-term rental providers who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Airbnb’s board convened last week to discuss a wide range of options, […]
Florida Keys to shut all hotels and short-term rentals
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: As the shadow of coronavirus casts further over the sunshine state, the Florida Keys has announced that all of its hotels and short-term rentals must shut. Monroe County, which houses the Florida Keys, declared any hospitality offerings housing guests must shut for the time being. The call was made after the virus spread in […]
UnderTheDoormat and LaundryHeap to house NHS staff for free
Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: Luxury home accommodation business UnderTheDoormat has pledged its support to London’s NHS who need accommodation by opening homes together with its owners and linen partner LaundryHeap. The two companies are joining forces to open homes near hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak for NHS staff and key workers to stay in for free. UnderTheDoormat usually […]
Vrbo CEO Jeff Hurst expands COVID-19 refund policy
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: In a letter sent to Vrbo users, CEO Jeff Hurst has unveiled the first update to the company’s COVID-19 cancellation policy. The group has previously been alerting users that the situation was not severe enough to mandate full refunds. Vrbo now offers two options for a return of funds due to the virus. The […]
Airbnb launches service for Italian medics fighting COVID-19
Reading Time: < 1 minuteItaly: In its ongoing effort to support the fight against COVID-19 coronavirus, Airbnb has introduced a new programme to house medics. “Airbnb for Doctors and Nurses” will provide accommodation to those engaged in medical care for the virus, with costs covered by the company. The company has partnered with Milanese host organisation OspitaMi, accessing the […]
Boris Johnson launches containment measures: avoid pubs, clubs, and theatres
Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: In the first of his daily coronavirus briefings, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has advised UK citizens to avoid pubs, clubs and theatres. The PM has suggested an end to all non-essential contact for the time being in order to help slow the outbreak. The briefing suggested a variety of measures, including necessary self-isolation, […]
OYO offers support for virus-affected Japanese operators
Reading Time: 2 minutesJapan: OYO has announced it will be offering financial support to Japanese hotels in order to join its platform. It falls in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak threatening global hospitality and the cancellation of major events in the space and other segments around the world. The programme, called the OYO Partner Support Programme, offers […]
“Existential threat” of coronavirus to hospitality
Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: Trade association UKHospitality (UKH) has called coronavirus an “existential threat” to the hospitality industry in a letter to Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The BBC has reported that in the letter, UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls suggested broader support for the hospitality sector, claiming that without help “a significant number of jobs” […]