The Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, a longstanding establishment in Washington, will reach its 100th anniversary next year. As it has almost 1,200 rooms and has been around for a century, the marketing department has begun to contemplate how much memorabilia from this iconic D.C. landmark may have disappeared over the years.
To address this, they have launched an amnesty period for items to be returned, which will then be displayed permanently in the hotel lobby. However, the hotel’s true purpose for this initiative is not to retrieve its old teacups, face towels, and silverware, but rather to collect the stories that go along with these items and have accompanied them out the door in the past 100 years. A panel of judges will determine the best essay containing the most compelling story about a returned item, and the winner will receive a two-night stay in the hotel’s Langston Hughes Suite and 500,000 Marriott points.
Airbnb teams up with Vice
Have you ever watched Viceland TV, the edgy channel produced by Vice Media? It offers gritty and immersive glimpses into unfamiliar worlds, targeting digital and experiential travelers, with no holds barred. The network recently announced a collaboration with Airbnb, entering the travel-package business. Vice will receive advertising revenue from Airbnb to promote the packages, while Airbnb retains the remaining profits.
This partnership has the potential to be powerful, as subtle commercials for a destination will be incorporated into Vice’s reality-based programming. Some of the announced tour programs include Tokyo’s LGBT nightlife culture, the “voguing” scene in Harlem, and an electronic music tour in Cape Town, led by artist and music producer Spoek Mathambo.
Another secret restaurant emerges
Newark Liberty Airport can be a challenging place, even at the best of times. But now, United Airlines’ first-class passengers have a new status symbol to vie for, and agents with upscale clients must secure an invitation. As reported in the Wall Street Journal by Scott McCartney, the new secret restaurant is simply known as Classified. It is hidden behind Saison, a French bistro in Newark’s Terminal C, accessible through an unmarked blue door in the back.
United hopes this secret spot will entice its top-tier customers to fly through Newark and enjoy a sense of exclusivity and celebrity worth sharing on Instagram. Meanwhile, Classified aims to become a trendy spot in Newark, offering a 42-ounce rib-eye steak for $100. Customers can receive a 20% discount by using United’s Chase credit card or paying with miles, with a Caesar salad costing just under 2,000 miles. However, guests will have to pay for their meals and use plastic utensils, as they are still in an airport, and their maitre d’ is the TSA.
There are questions about access to Classified, such as what happens if a business-class passenger simply walks in. Will United turn them away? Will admission be exclusively offered to international first-class passengers, or will full-revenue business guests also receive invitations? And what about unhappy customers? Can customer service representatives offer access? Agents should start thinking of ways to secure invitations for their best clients, while I will be headed to the nearby Little Purse Dumpling Den.
The success of “basic” fares
The launch of basic economy by Delta Airlines has been quite successful, with American and United following suit. This was a response to low-cost carriers like Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier, and Southwest. Basic fares offer limited services and amenities, with Delta even restricting passengers to just a briefcase or purse as a carry-on. Despite this, Delta’s CEO reported on CNBC that nearly 50% of customers considering booking a basic fare opt instead for an upgrade to regular economy, resulting in a $35 increase in ticket price without any changes to the economy cabin. American and United also report a high percentage of customers opting for upgrades from basic fares.
Unlike Delta, United and American do not allow basic-fare passengers to use overhead bins. It will be interesting to see how this policy is enforced, as United will allow basic-fare passengers with elite status to use the bins. Flight attendants may not be thrilled with these policies. American has an additional twist, allowing basic-fare passengers to purchase a seat assignment up to 48 hours before departure.
Economy seating has become a profitable venture for major airlines, as more customers are willing to pay for the added benefits of regular economy seats. However, this has not yet crept into the escorted tour sector, where everyone pays the same price and receives the same amenities and services, making it the most egalitarian sector of the industry.
Why is Ritz-Carlton entering the cruise market?
Ritz-Carlton’s launch of three 298-guest ships in late 2019 has generated a lot of buzz in the industry. These ships are closest in size to Ponant, but with an extra 200 feet, they will offer larger staterooms and dining options comparable to ships with twice the capacity. The ships’ design, created by Tillberg Design in Sweden, is promised to be revolutionary and have a “Maserati effect.” Additionally, with a customer base of 400,000 loyal guests and the ability to open up weak sailings to SPG and Marriott points holders, Ritz-Carlton is poised to easily fill its fleet of ships with the required 12,000 passengers annually. Don’t bet against them.
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