Alex Cruz, who comes from a low cost airline background, is pushing British Airways to evolve. British AirwaysSkift Take: Some old-school companies talk about embracing start-up thinking without knowing what that really means. This, though, is what they wish it looked like in practice.

Swan Hellenic’s Minerva ship. Parent company All Leisure Group has gone out of business. Gary Bembridge / FlickrSkift Take: Since the heady days of a a stock market floatation in 2007, there has not been much to shout about for All Leisure Group. Like a number of other travel companies, it has not been able to cope with the level of geopolitical upheaval in key destinations. It is unlikely to be the only big travel casualty of 2017.

Business-class seats on SAS, which feature 15" HD in-flight entertainment screens. SASSkift Take: We don't need supersonic travel, robot butlers, or Alexa in every hotel room. Just a few upgrades to improve the experience overall. — Colin NagyTo kick off the year, I’ve already outlined some of the best performers in the space.

Kayak touts its airfare-forecasting features in its first TV ad to run in the U.S. in the past 18 months. Pictured is a still from the ad, 'Kayak Trend Forecaster.' Skift Take: In mid-2015 Kayak opted to go dark on U.S. TV and to put more investment into broadcast advertising in Europe. Companies have to make such hard choices sometimes. Kayak's Hafner claims, however, "the sky didn't fall" in the U.S., although one could surmise that Google Flights is "knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door.

This promotional photo shows cruise passengers wearing Carnival Corp.'s new Ocean Medallion and using a portal to get information during their trip. The cruise company is rolling out the wearable technology on Princess Cruises to improve the guest experience. Carnival Corp.Skift Take: We think this will take some getting used to for cruise passengers and crew alike.

Netflix and chill or, in this case, Hulu and chill with streaming travel TV. Skift Take: 2016 has officially overstayed its welcome, so we're just going to run out the clock bingeing these travel shows. Bring on the escapist reality TV and rigorous schadenfreude, just as soon as we make it through airport security. — Sarah EnelowWe already know you’re going to spend most of this holiday season streaming travel shows.

We write a very large number of great stories at Skift every year. I can say that, because I get to edit them and read every one. And while my editing may sometimes leave something to be desired, my comprehension is pretty solid. Which is why it was so hard to pull out my favorite stories from the year: there were just so many good ones. So I turned the editors, and asked them what they enjoyed writing the most.

Cathay Pacific's The Pier Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay PacificSkift Take: For 2017, it is advisable to vote with your wallet, and support the airlines, hotels, and brands that are elevating experiences and not resting on their laurels or forgetting the vital human element of service. — Colin NagyAs we close out 2016, it is worth highlighting the elements of inspiration from the travel and hospitality sphere.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky speaking at the company's Open event in November in Los Angeles, CA. AirbnbSkift Take: Not many CEOs would spend Christmas evening engaging in hundreds of conversations with fans and critics alike — and on Twitter no less. But Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is not your average CEO, and what he revealed in his Noel-time tweets gives us a much clearer understanding of where Airbnb is headed in 2017. — Deanna TingIt all started with a simple Tweet on Christmas night.

Trivago CEO Rolf Schrömgens talked about what's difficult about shopping for hotels online on December 16, 2016, the first day the its stock traded on Nasdaq. CNBCSkift Take: Rectifying the difficulties in shopping for hotels online is a tremendously complex problem given travelers' fickle nature -- a business trip today, a romantic escapade tomorrow -- and varying quality levels from property to property even within a given brand.