Spirit's JetBlue Complaint, Carnival's Splashy Marketing and Antarctica's Climate Risks
On today's pod we look at Spirit's pushback on JetBlue's new beau, Carnival's marketing success, and the influencers threatening Antarctica.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, June 25. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Spirit Airlines is calling on the U.S. government to reject a proposed JetBlue-United partnership, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.
Spirit said in a complaint to the Department of Transportation filed on Tuesday that the partnership — known as “Blue Sky” — “raises serious competition and public interest questions.”
Spirit also said that Blue Sky is similar to the Northeast Alliance, JetBlue’s partnership with American Airlines that was struck down in the courts on the grounds it was anticompetitive. JetBlue has criticized Spirit’s decision to file a complaint, and said in a statement to Skift that it is still a competitor to United.
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS
Next, Carnival says its aggressive marketing efforts and exclusive private islands can help it sustain high pricing, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.
O’Neill reports Carnival’s marketing blitzes during major events — including this year’s Oscars — are paying off for the company. Bookings by both new-to-cruise guests and repeat customers were up double-digit percentages during the second quarter. CEO Josh Weinstein credited the increased marketing spend for supporting record prices and onboard spending.
In addition, Carnival has invested significantly in exclusive destinations to distinguish itself and collect more guest spending that would otherwise go to other businesses at local ports of call.
Finally, TikTok influencers have helped boost tourism to Antarctica, but that surge in visitors has raised concerns from environmentalists, writes Climate Reporter Darin Graham.
Graham notes a record 130,000 people visited Antarctica last season, a number researchers predict will keep increasing. Swan Hellenic, a cruise company operating trips to Antarctica, credits social media in part for its 25% growth in guest numbers during the most recent season.
However, Graham writes that Antarctic tourism is one of the highest carbon-impact travel activities as a single trip can exceed the annual carbon footprint of the average individual. In addition, scientists say the tendency of travelers to visit during the short Antarctic summer amplifies tourism’s environmental impact.
skift.
