Several major hotel CEOs saw an increase in their salaries in 2023, with Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta being the highest paid executive, earning $56.8 million. This increase in pay was largely attributed to stock-market gains, as Hilton’s stock price had jumped 42% the previous year. Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian was the second-highest paid hotel CEO, making close to $56.4 million. These pay packages have raised questions about executive compensation in the hospitality industry.
Viator President Ben Drew has announced that he will be leaving the company for a new opportunity in a different industry. Drew had been serving as Viator’s president since 2020 and had previously worked at Expedia and Deloitte. Viator, which is Tripadvisor’s travel experiences brand, generated about $4 billion in gross bookings last year. Drew noted that this figure only represents about 1% of the total experiences sold online and offline, indicating potential growth opportunities for the brand.
A whistleblower at Boeing, engineer Sam Salehpour, has raised concerns about shortcuts taken in the production of the 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft models. Salehpour claims that Boeing dismissed repeated concerns about the quality control of these widely used widebody aircraft. Federal authorities are currently investigating Salehpour’s claims, which were made public in late January. Boeing has disputed some of the claims and stated that they have been working to improve production and quality control processes for the 787.
In today’s podcast, the topics of CEO salaries, Ben Drew’s departure from Viator, and the Boeing whistleblower are discussed. The increasing salaries of hotel CEOs, particularly Nassetta and Hoplamazian, have drawn attention to executive compensation in the industry. Drew’s exit from Viator raises questions about the future direction of the travel experiences brand and potential growth strategies. The whistleblower claims at Boeing have raised concerns about the production and quality control processes of the 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft models, prompting federal investigations.
The rise in hotel CEO salaries in 2023, notably for Christopher Nassetta and Mark Hoplamazian, has been linked to stock market gains and increased stock awards. Ben Drew’s departure from Viator has left the company in search of new leadership, highlighting potential growth opportunities for the travel experiences brand. The whistleblower claims at Boeing have brought scrutiny to the production and quality control processes of the 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft models, with federal authorities investigating the allegations made by engineer Sam Salehpour.
Overall, the business of travel today is characterized by discussions around CEO salaries, executive departures, and whistleblower claims at Boeing. These topics highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the hospitality industry, travel experiences brands like Viator, and aircraft manufacturers like Boeing. The implications of these developments extend beyond individual companies, shaping perceptions of transparency, accountability, and leadership in the travel sector. As these stories continue to unfold, industry stakeholders and observers will be closely watching for further developments and potential impacts on the broader travel ecosystem.
