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Live from HITEC in San Antonio, the Steve Turk and Sarah Dandashy recap the inaugural Hospitality Creator Summit, created by Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri, which drew 200+ attendees for a full day of networking and creator-focused education. Sara shares first impressions of the high-energy event, meeting online peers in person, and the supportive, low-ego atmosphere. A panel on “behind the brand deal” featured Margaritaville and My Place Hotels discussing how brands choose creators, partnership paths from in-kind to paid, and the challenge of tracking bookings driven by content, including working with small-audience creators for fit and aesthetic. They note sessions on newsletters and podcasting milestones, HITEC's creator booth with interview and green-screen setups, and floor trends like better booth experiences, fewer AI buzzwords but more specific integrations, data consolidation, and room automation savings, plus a push for brands to create personality-driven, value-first content.A big shout out to our sponsor Lodgify! Starting June 17th to June 30th, use promo code THM60 for 60% off00:00 Live From HITEC00:21 Sponsor Shoutout - Lodgify 00:58 Creator Summit Recap02:55 Brand Deals Panel05:09 Creator Growth Tips05:50 Meet Tyler Behind Scenes06:37 Content Booth Setup07:31 HITEC Floor Highlights08:27 Tech Trends And AI09:57 Venue Vibes San Antonio10:16 Creators Take Over10:57 Booth Snacks and Vibes11:24 Why Brands Need Content12:55 Make Value Not Ads14:19 One Post Big Impact16:05 HCS First Day Energy17:54 After Party and Wrap
Airline CEOs are stunned that demand hasn't buckled under a 20% fare spike, World Cup hotels are still waiting on a booking surge that may depend entirely on which teams advance, and Canadian travel to the U.S. is creeping back but still far below where it was. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why travel demand is proving more resilient than even airline executives expected, why the World Cup's hotel story hinges on a potential Messi vs. Ronaldo matchup, and why Brand USA is smartly going after Gen Z Canadians instead of the Boomers who aren't coming back anytime soon. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Airfares Are Up 20%. Demand Is Strong. Even Airline CEOs Are Surprised. Hotels Hope for Last-Minute World Cup Bookings Canadian Travel to the U.S. Rebounds but Still Far Below 2024 Levels Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Aviation's net zero target may be getting pushed back as sustainable fuel supply falls dramatically short, Cathay Pacific says summer demand is holding strong while the Gulf stays grounded, and luxury hotel guests are paying higher rates without blinking. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why aviation's 2050 climate pledge is losing credibility without real government follow-through on sustainable fuel, how the Iran war's disruption of Gulf routes is quietly benefiting Asian hubs like Hong Kong, and why the K-shaped travel economy is showing no signs of letting up at the luxury end. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Aviation's 2050 Net Zero Target Could Slip — The More Likely Outcome Cathay Pacific CEO: Summer Demand Is Holding Up Despite Fuel Price Shock CoStar: Luxury Travelers Show No Pushback on Higher Hotel Rates Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down why hotel AI is stuck on the wrong side of the ledger and what it will take to flip it. The conversation opens with Mews founder Richard Valtr making the case at Skift's Data and AI Summit that fragmented hotel data is the reason AI keeps cutting costs instead of driving revenue. From there Sarah and Steve dig into what Apple's rebuilt Siri means for how guests will find and interact with travel, Alaska Airlines' bet that Starlink wifi is a better loyalty driver than points for basic economy travelers, and why Delta Air Lines is expanding American Express card benefits without raising fees while every competitor goes the other direction. This episode is presented by Cloudbeds & Bilt. Visit cloudbeds.com/gmh to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more. And if you're leaving direct bookings on the table, StayFi turns your wifi into a guest relationship engine. Visit https://stayfi.com/goodmorninghospitality/ to learn more.
The U.S. launches a $750 fast-track visa program that creates a two-tiered system for international travelers, Apple's rebuilt Siri could quietly reshape where the travel journey begins, and the most influential person in travel is someone most people have never heard of. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the new expedited visa fee is the latest signal that the U.S. is becoming an increasingly expensive and complicated destination to visit, how Apple's rebuilt Siri could shift where travelers start their journey before they ever open an airline app, and why Ken Chenault's web of boardroom influence makes him the most consequential non-operator in the travel industry today. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG $750 Visa Appointment Fee Apple's Rebuilt Siri Opens New Doors for Travel Apps How Ken Chenault Became Travel's Most Consequential Non-Operator Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down why hotel AI is stuck on the wrong side of the ledger and what it will take to flip it. The conversation opens with Mews founder Richard Valtr making the case at Skift's Data and AI Summit that fragmented hotel data is the reason AI keeps cutting costs instead of driving revenue. From there Sarah and Steve dig into what Apple's rebuilt Siri means for how guests will find and interact with travel, Alaska Airlines' bet that Starlink wifi is a better loyalty driver than points for basic economy travelers, and why Delta Air Lines is expanding American Express card benefits without raising fees while every competitor goes the other direction. This episode is presented by Cloudbeds & Bilt. Visit cloudbeds.com/gmh to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more. And if you're leaving direct bookings on the table, StayFi turns your wifi into a guest relationship engine. Visit https://stayfi.com/goodmorninghospitality/ to learn more.
Airline Profits Just Got Cut in Half — and United Still Wants to Buy American The global airline industry takes a brutal hit as profits are slashed nearly in half, global travel growth turns negative for the first time this year, and United's CEO is still publicly chasing a merger American keeps refusing. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the Iran war has upended what was supposed to be a strong year for airlines and left the Middle East as the only region posting an outright loss, what it means that global travel momentum has quietly flipped negative for the first time in 2026, and why Scott Kirby keeps the American Airlines merger idea alive even as American keeps saying no. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Middle East Airlines Face $4.3 Billion Loss — the Only Region in the Red Global Travel Growth Has Turned Negative for the First Time This Year United CEO Still Wants a Merger With American Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
World Cup travel demand is falling short of expectations as international visitors stay home, Delta quietly made its credit card a better deal while every other airline raises fees, and a top hotel tech founder says the industry is using AI to solve the wrong problem. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the international tourist windfall host cities were promised isn't materializing, how Delta's Amex card expansion is a masterclass in playing the loyalty game right, and why hotels cutting costs with AI are missing the bigger opportunity sitting right in front of them. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG World Cup Travel Demand Expectations Deflated Delta Expands Benefits on Amex Cards Why Hotel AI Keeps Cutting Costs Instead of Making Money Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
The Iran war has dramatically reshuffled global tourism demand, the founder of collapsed startup Sonder is already back with a lean AI-powered travel agent, and Priceline just gave its AI assistant the biggest overhaul in two years. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the Middle East's tourism collapse isn't killing global demand so much as redirecting it, how Francis Davidson is betting that asset-light AI software is the antidote to everything that killed Sonder, and why Priceline's Penny upgrade is a preview of where the entire travel industry is heading. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Iran War Drives Middle East Tourism Slump and a Global Demand Shift After Sonder's Collapse, Francis Davidson Returns With an AI Travel Agent Priceline Penny Revamp: Multiagent AI Powered by Anthropic Claude Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a week where ownership, distribution, brand strategy, and climate risk all moved at the same time. The conversation opens with two billionaires making moves on the Las Vegas Strip in the same week. Tilman Fertitta agreed to buy Caesars Entertainment for $5.7 billion while assuming nearly $12 billion in debt, and Barry Diller is preparing an $18 billion bid to take full control of MGM Resorts International. From there Sarah and Steve dig into a ten-year look at whether the direct booking fight actually paid off for hotels, Hilton's new Undergraduate brand targeting smaller college towns, and how sargassum seaweed is now showing up directly in Caribbean hotel occupancy numbers. This episode is presented by Cloudbeds & Bilt. Visit cloudbeds.com/gmh to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.
A single AI-powered flight search just exposed a massive economic blind spot for the entire travel industry, new research reveals that treating women as one travel segment is quietly costing brands serious revenue, and Expedia's new chief AI officer just laid out the company's boldest bet yet. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why AI-powered travel search is breaking a system built on the assumption that humans eventually give up, how brands still running generic women's campaigns are leaving their highest-value customers completely unreached, and why Expedia's answer to AI disruption is to become the infrastructure everyone else depends on. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG AI Impact on Travel Search Costs Women Travelers Are Not a Segment. Treating Them as One Is a Strategic Mistake. Expedia's New Chief AI Officer on What the Company Is Really Building Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a week where ownership, distribution, brand strategy, and climate risk all moved at the same time. The conversation opens with two billionaires making moves on the Las Vegas Strip in the same week. Tilman Fertitta agreed to buy Caesars Entertainment for $5.7 billion while assuming nearly $12 billion in debt, and Barry Diller is preparing an $18 billion bid to take full control of MGM Resorts International. From there Sarah and Steve dig into a ten-year look at whether the direct booking fight actually paid off for hotels, Hilton's new Undergraduate brand targeting smaller college towns, and how sargassum seaweed is now showing up directly in Caribbean hotel occupancy numbers. This episode is presented by Cloudbeds & Bilt. Visit cloudbeds.com/gmh to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.
Two blockbuster deals in one week put Barry Diller and Tilman Fertitta on track to control a massive chunk of Las Vegas hospitality, Southwest Airlines confirms it's going international and eyeing lounges, and Hilton just launched a brand new hotel concept targeting a market most chains have ignored. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the MGM and Caesars deals signal a new era of ownership concentration on the Strip, how Southwest's latest reinvention is starting to look a lot like the airlines it swore it would never become, and whether Hilton's college-town bet can survive the notoriously seasonal economics of campus hospitality. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Barry Diller Moves to Take Over MGM Resorts in $18 Billion Deal Caesars Agrees to $5.7 Billion Takeover by Tilman Fertitta Southwest Moves Toward Latest Reinvention: Long-Haul International and Lounges Hilton Launches Undergraduate Hotel Brand for College Towns. Here's What the Numbers Say. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
United's CEO slams merger speculation and delivers a brutal public assessment of JetBlue's finances, the U.S. government spent eight years producing a one-page PDF about passenger rights, and Expedia just bet big on one of YouTube's biggest streamers to win over Gen Z. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Scott Kirby is done buying growth and betting that weaker airlines will simply hand United market share for free, why America's new passenger rights rule is a masterclass in doing the bare minimum while Europe has been paying travelers cash for delays since 2004, and why Expedia's IShowSpeed partnership signals that creator marketing has officially moved from experiment to core strategy across the travel industry. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG United CEO Slams 'Idiotic' Theory He Used American Bid as Cover for Smaller Deal It Took Eight Years to Create a One-Page PDF for the U.S. Airline Industry Expedia x IShowSpeed: Why Brands Are Doubling Down on Creators Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Hotels and OTAs have been battling over direct bookings for a decade — here's who's actually winning, Marriott just struck a deal that signals hotels are serious about selling more than just rooms, and two major hotel tech companies are joining forces to fix the data problem standing in the way of AI. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why hotels won the economics of the OTA war but may be about to lose their front doors to AI entirely, how Marriott's ResortPass deal reflects a growing push to turn empty pool chairs and spa slots into high-margin revenue, and why the Mews and SiteMinder integration is the unglamorous foundation hotels need before AI can actually take over. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Direct Booking Tug-of-War: Hotels' Long Bid to Take Back Power Marriott Signs ResortPass Deal. Why Hotels Are Pushing to Sell More Than Rooms. Mews and SiteMinder to Put Hotel Distribution, Operations Under One Roof — Exclusive Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a week where three big stories all pointed at the same shift: the distribution, loyalty, and infrastructure layers of hospitality are all getting reshuffled at once. The conversation opens with Airbnb naming Andrea D'Amico, an 18-year Booking.com veteran, as its new VP of Hotels, and what that hire says about how seriously Airbnb is coming for the boutique and independent hotel market. From there, Sarah and Steve dig into why boutique brands like Room Mate Hotels are running out of room on loyalty, and what the SpaceX IPO filing reveals about how deeply STARLINK has already embedded itself into travel's connectivity infrastructure. This episode is presented by Plusgrade & Bilt. Visit plusgrade.com to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.
The U.S. scales back a social media vetting proposal that was scaring off international visitors, Dubai's $400 million in hotel relief is welcome but isn't solving the real problem, and Ryanair just paid off every last dollar of its debt at exactly the right moment. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the U.S. walking back its ESTA social media requirements helps but may not undo the damage already done to America's image as a welcoming destination, why Dubai's hotel operators say fee exemptions don't fix a crisis caused by empty planes, and why Ryanair's debt-free balance sheet puts it in the strongest competitive position in its history just as fuel costs are hammering rivals. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG U.S. Plans to Scale Back on Collecting All Travelers' Social Media Dubai's $400M in Tourism Aid Buys Time. Operators See Empty Rooms. Ryanair Just Cleared Its Debt: Where Do Other Major Airlines Stand? Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a week where three big stories all pointed at the same shift: the distribution, loyalty, and infrastructure layers of hospitality are all getting reshuffled at once. The conversation opens with Airbnb naming Andrea D'Amico, an 18-year Booking.com veteran, as its new VP of Hotels, and what that hire says about how seriously Airbnb is coming for the boutique and independent hotel market. From there, Sarah and Steve dig into why boutique brands like Room Mate Hotels are running out of room on loyalty, and what the SpaceX IPO filing reveals about how deeply STARLINK has already embedded itself into travel's connectivity infrastructure. This episode is presented by Plusgrade & Bilt. Visit plusgrade.com to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.
Gulf travelers are flooding search engines but holding off on bookings as the Iran war reshapes travel demand, Brand USA launches a charm offensive to win back Canadian visitors, and Expedia reveals the next big piece of its AI roadmap for B2B partners. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the Gulf's search-to-booking gap signals a demand delay rather than a demand collapse, how Brand USA is rebuilding its Canadian strategy from scratch on a dramatically reduced budget, and why Expedia's new MCP server is the unglamorous infrastructure play that could quietly reshape how AI books travel. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Gulf Travelers Are Searching, Not Booking: How the Iran War Is Reshaping Travel Demand Brand USA Plans New Campaign To Win Back Canadian Travelers Expedia to Launch Agentic AI Tools for B2B Partners Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Expedia makes its second acquisition of 2026 and does a reset on its AI strategy, Google officially names hotel booking as the next frontier for agentic shopping, and private equity has discovered the events industry — and the people inside it aren't sure how to feel about it. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Expedia's CarTrawler deal and AI pivot reveal a company quietly becoming a B2B infrastructure powerhouse, why Google's latest announcements could disrupt the entire hotel discovery and booking funnel overnight, and what a room full of events industry CEOs is making of the private equity money flowing their way. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Expedia To Acquire CarTrawler in Second B2B Deal of 2026 Expedia CEO Ariane Gorin on What Companies Get Wrong About AI Chatbots Google Names Hotels as Next Vertical for Agentic ShoppingPrivate Equity Has Discovered the Events Industry — Now What? Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a question every operator is quietly asking right now: how do you build a real edge when there is no moat? They open with the NYC labor deal that just reset the national benchmark, with housekeeper pay crossing $100K a year by 2034, and Hotel and Gaming Trades Council now setting the bar for union negotiations in every major market. From there they dig into Peregrine Hospitality's bet that operational discipline is the only real competitive advantage in hotels, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority's push to double its room supply by 2030, Brand USA's new fact-checking platform trying to win back international travelers ahead of the World Cup, and how one small hotel group is still financing solar after federal clean energy tax credits got wiped out. This episode is presented by Plusgrade & Bilt. Visit plusgrade.com to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.
New York City hotel workers secure a landmark eight-year labor deal, Ryanair's CEO ties his fuel outlook directly to Trump's midterm ambitions, and Cathay Pacific removes the most photographed amenity in airport lounges — and the reason why says a lot about where luxury travel is heading. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why NYC's groundbreaking housekeeper pay deal is about to become the new benchmark for hotel labor negotiations nationwide, how Ryanair's Michael O'Leary is betting Trump will resolve the Iran conflict before elevated fuel prices cost him the midterms, and why Cathay Pacific's decision to swap its iconic cabanas for massage booths reflects a fundamental shift in what luxury travelers actually want. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG NYC Hotel Housekeepers' Pay to Hit $61 an Hour Ryanair CEO Ties Fuel Outlook to Trump's Midterm Math Cathay Pacific Removed Its First Class Lounge Cabanas. That Tells You Where Luxury Travel Is Heading. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Americans are hungry for summer travel despite rising costs, Brand USA launches a fact-checking platform to win back international visitors, and new Skift Research says most travel brands don't just have one Gen Z problem... they have two. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why this summer's travel demand is strong but deeply uneven across income levels, how Brand USA's new "Get Facts. Get Going." platform is tackling misinformation keeping international travelers away from the U.S., and why the travel brands focused only on reaching Gen Z are missing the harder and more expensive problem. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG 'Desperate' to Travel, but Rising Costs Point to 'Uneven' Summer Brand USA Launches Fact-Checking Platform to Win Back International Travelers Travel Brands Think They Have a Gen Z Problem. Most Have Two. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Travel prices climb at twice the rate of inflation, the U.S. eases visa rules for World Cup fans, and Abu Dhabi reveals the future home of its massive Sphere venue. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why rising fuel costs are pushing travel prices sharply higher across flights, hotels, and transportation, how the U.S. is trying to remove barriers for international World Cup visitors, and why Abu Dhabi's new Sphere project is part of a much bigger entertainment and tourism strategy. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGTravel Cost Gains Outpace Inflation RateU.S. Waives $15,000 Visa Bond for World Cup Ticket HoldersAbu Dhabi's Sphere Has a Home on Yas Island Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Booking Holdings faces a strategic identity test, Mediterranean destinations absorb redirected travel demand, and United locks in an expensive new labor deal. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Booking Holdings' financial filings tell a more cautious story than its AI ambitions suggest, where global travel demand is shifting as the Middle East struggles and the Mediterranean surges, and what United's costly new flight attendant contract means for the future of airfare pricing. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGBooking Holdings Is Running Ahead of Its Own StrategyWhere Travel Demand Is Heading: Middle East Down, Mediterranean UpUnited Is the Last Big 4 Airline to Settle With Flight Attendants. Here's What It Cost. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a growing debate across the hotel industry: are brands mistaking temporary strength for long-term stability? From luxury demand and premium travel to pricing power and loyalty, the industry may be more vulnerable than executives want to admit. They also explore why Hilton and Marriott International CEOs cannot agree on what kind of economy the industry is actually in, TikTok's new push into turning travel videos into bookable inventory, and OpenAI's latest move to operationalize AI deployment across travel companies through the team behind Virgin Atlantic's AI concierge. This episode is presented by Plusgrade & Bilt. Visit plusgrade.com to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.
TikTok launches in-app travel booking, U.S. inbound tourism drops sharply, and World Cup pricing spirals into luxury-only territory. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down TikTok Go's launch in the U.S. and why it could reshape travel discovery and booking, the troubling new numbers behind America's inbound tourism slump, and how dynamic pricing is turning the World Cup into the clearest example yet of “premium-first” live tourism. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGTikTok Go Launches Travel Booking in the U.S.World Cup Costs Reflect the Rise of K-Shaped Live TourismU.S. Inbound International Tourism Slumped in April Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Fuel costs surge, travel companies absorb billions in Iran war losses, and hotel CEOs debate whether the economy is finally catching up to luxury travel. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why airfares are climbing even faster after Spirit Airlines' shutdown, how the Iran war is reshaping profit forecasts across airlines, cruises, hotels, and short-term rentals, and why hotel executives suddenly can't stop describing the economy with letters of the alphabet. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHigher Fuel Costs and Spirit's End Mean Higher AirfaresIran War Costs Have Hit Travel's Profit ForecastsThe Hotel Industry CEOs Can't Decide What Letter the Economy Is Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Trivago sues Google over hotel search dominance, Weather.com moves into travel booking, and Tripadvisor explores AI deals while trimming its business. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down Trivago's new antitrust lawsuit against Google, why Weather.com wants to influence your next trip before you even search for one, and how Tripadvisor is reshaping its business around AI partnerships and strategic selloffs. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGTrivago Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against GoogleWeather.com Wants to Turn Forecasts Into Travel BookingsTripadvisor Explores AI Deals and a Sale of TheFork Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Fuel costs hammer airlines, Kayak's founders launch a new AI travel startup, and Disney proves fewer guests can still mean bigger profits. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down the staggering rise in airline fuel spending tied to the Iran war, why the creators of Kayak are betting on conversational AI travel booking with a new venture called Lola, and how Disney's parks are making more money despite lower attendance. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGU.S. Airlines Are Spending Over $5 Billion on FuelKayak Co-Founders Reunite for Booking Holdings AI Startup LolaDisney's Q2 Park Spending Up Even as Visitation Falls Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Airlines rush to replace Spirit routes, Uber pushes deeper into travel services, and rising fuel costs hit the cruise industry hard. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how airlines are moving fast after Spirit's shutdown, why Uber's CEO sees a much bigger future in travel, and what Norwegian Cruise Line's lowered outlook says about the growing impact of fuel prices across the industry. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGSpirit's Failure Shocked America. The Rest of the World Is Used to ItJetBlue and Rivals Race to Grab Spirit's Routes and CustomersUber CEO Says the Company's Travel Ambitions Are Just BeginningNorwegian Cruise Line Slashes Profit Outlook as Fuel Costs Mount Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Spirit shuts down and its assets spark a scramble, World Cup hotel bookings fall short of expectations, and new data shows loyalty programs aren't delivering real loyalty. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down what Spirit's collapse signals for budget airlines, why World Cup demand isn't matching the hype, and what 7,000 travelers reveal about the future of loyalty in travel. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGSpirit Airlines Shuts DownFire Sale: What Assets Does Spirit Have and Who Could Buy Them?80% of Hotels Say World Cup Bookings Are Missing ForecastsWhat 7,000 Travelers Reveal About Loyalty, Pricing, and Where Demand Is Really Heading Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Uber starts booking hotels through Expedia, AI's role in travel booking is still evolving, and travelers are prioritizing speed over service style. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Uber's hotel feature is really about subscriptions, what the AI debate reveals about the future of booking, and why travelers care more about fast answers than whether they come from humans or machines. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGUber's Hotel Deal Tells You More About Expedia's Future Than Uber'sHigh-Touch Service Debate at Skift Asia ForumAI and OTA Trust Debate at Skift Asia Forum Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Asia is reshaping global travel demand, United expands loyalty into everyday spending, and Minor Hotels moves deeper into ultra-luxury. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Asia is becoming the center of gravity for travel growth, how United is turning Lyft rides into a loyalty play, and why Minor Hotels is adding private jets to its luxury ecosystem. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGThe Great Rebalancing: Asia's Advantage and Why Travel Brands Need to Catch UpUnited Expands Lyft Partnership With Miles RedemptionMinor Hotels to Launch Private Jet Experience Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down Hilton's latest push into AI with its upcoming ChatGPT app and evolving “Select” deals strategy, and how the company is positioning itself more like a platform that controls pricing, distribution, and guest engagement. They also explore Hilton's continued expansion of lifestyle and luxury brands across Asia-Pacific, the shift in ultra-luxury hotels toward curated guest communities, and how budget airlines are now in talks over a $2.5 billion bailout as financial pressure builds across the travel sector. This episode is presented by Vrbo & Bilt. Visit vrbo.com/goodmorning to learn more about how you can earn OneKeyCash for each eligible property you list. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.
Low-cost airlines push for government aid, international travelers pull back from U.S. trips, and Virgin Voyages bets big on TikTok creators. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why budget airlines are asking for a $2.5 billion lifeline, how declining international demand is hitting vacation rentals harder than expected, and what Virgin Voyages' massive influencer cruise reveals about the future of travel marketing. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGBudget Airlines Seek $2.5 Billion Bailout From U.S. GovernmentU.S. Tourism Slump Is Hitting Short-Term Rentals HardVirgin Voyages Invites 1,100 TikTok Creators on Cruise Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
United's CEO makes a public case for consolidation, AI is simplifying complex travel booking, and onefinestay is doubling down on ultra-luxury. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why United is signaling future merger ambitions, how Google Cloud and Virgin Voyages are reshaping trip planning with AI, and why onefinestay is shrinking its portfolio to chase higher-end travelers. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGUnited CEO Defends American Airlines Merger in Public MemoGoogle Cloud and Virgin Voyages Launch AI Travel AssistantSteve Case's Onefinestay Sheds Rentals to Focus on Luxury Travelers Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
American and Alaska explore a deeper partnership, Emirates says travelers will move on quickly from the Iran war, and hotel earnings are starting strong despite uncertainty ahead. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why American and Alaska teaming up could reshape airline competition, what Emirates' confidence signals about travel recovery, and why hotel earnings are showing strength now with risk building later in the year. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGAmerican and Alaska Airlines in Talks Over Revenue-Sharing PartnershipEmirates President Tim Clark Says Travelers Will Forget the CrisisHotel Earnings Preview Shows Best Quarter in a Year After Weak 2025 Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
White Lotus Picks Hyatt as Heat and Airbnb Rules Reshape Travel White Lotus Season 4 lands at Hyatt, extreme heat is shifting global travel patterns, and New York's Airbnb crackdown is showing cracks. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why White Lotus moving away from Four Seasons matters for hotel brands, how rising temperatures are changing where and when people travel, and why nearly a third of NYC's approved Airbnb listings may not be playing by the rules. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced:Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHyatt and Airelles Win White Lotus Season 4 as Four Seasons Steps AsideNYC Finds 27 Percent of Approved Short-Term Rentals Turned IllegalExtreme Heat Is Changing When and Where People Travel Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down Hyatt's rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise across the company and what it signals about AI moving from experimentation to real operational impact in hospitality. They also explore rising travel costs tied to the upcoming World Cup, where higher prices for tickets, hotels, and transportation are starting to squeeze travelers, the rise of fossil fuel-free hotels across the industry and whether that model can scale, and BWH Hotels' new outdoor brand tapping into demand for glamping and experiential stays. This episode is brought to you by Vrbo! Learn how you can earn OneKeyCash today. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
JetBlue's CEO shuts down bankruptcy rumors, World Cup fans face rising costs at every step, and aviation's clean fuel future is hitting real limits. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why JetBlue is feeling pressure despite denying restructuring plans, how the 2026 World Cup is turning into a high-cost event for travelers, and why sustainable aviation fuel isn't ready to solve the industry's biggest challenges. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGJetBlue CEO's Note to Staff: No Bankruptcy NowWorld Cup Fees and Prices Are Squeezing TravelersAviation's Decarbonization Bet Is Looking Shakier Than Ever Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Hyatt is rolling out ChatGPT Enterprise across the company, American Airlines is shutting down merger speculation with United, and Google is adding new tools to keep travelers inside its ecosystem longer. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Hyatt is treating AI like infrastructure, what American's response says about airline consolidation pressure, and how Google is quietly strengthening its role in the booking journey. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced:Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHyatt Rolls Out ChatGPT Enterprise Across the CompanyAmerican Airlines Says It's Not Interested in a United MergerGoogle Adds Hotel Price Tracking for Individual Properties Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
American travelers are prioritizing stability over deals, airlines are testing whether passengers will pay for sleep in economy, and Saudi Arabia is scaling back parts of its tourism ambitions to focus on what actually drives demand. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why predictability is reshaping travel decisions, what Air New Zealand's new $495 Skynest product signals for airline strategy, and how Saudi Arabia is recalibrating Vision 2030. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG How Cartels Conflict and Live Tourism Are Redrawing the American Travel Map The $495 Nap Bunk Beds Are Coming to Economy Class This Fall Saudi Arabia Scraps Tourism Funding in Vision 2030 Shake Up Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews ↗ and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Travelers are using AI to plan trips but stopping short of letting it book, hotel owners are getting squeezed while brands post record profits, and a potential United and American merger could reshape the airline industry. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why merger talk signals strategy under pressure, how Chris Nassetta is framing a bullish hotel outlook, and what the emerging AI travel stack means for platforms like Expedia Group and Booking Holdings. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG JetBlue Rumors Now American What a United Mega Merger Would Mean Hilton CEO Argues the Bull Case Despite Iran War and Weak World Cup Signals The Five Layers of the AI Travel Stack and the Fight Over Which One Matters Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk are live from Seatrade Cruise Global, breaking down how AI is reshaping the way travelers discover and book hotels and whether brands are starting to lose control of the funnel. Expedia Group data shows that only a small percentage of bookings are currently driven by AI, but the shift in discovery behavior could have much bigger long-term implications. They also explore how Minor Hotels is building out its AI tech stack to drive deeper personalization, Lemon Tree Hotels' record year powered by an asset-light strategy, and Delta Air Lines's first major Delta One upgrade in nearly a decade as airlines continue investing heavily in premium experiences. This episode is brought to you by Vrbo! Learn how you can earn OneKeyCash today. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Travelers are using AI to plan trips but stopping short of letting it book, hotel owners are getting squeezed while brands post record profits, and a potential United and American merger could reshape the airline industry. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why AI still has a trust gap at checkout, how the hotel business model is creating tension between brands and owners, and why even talk of a merger between United Airlines and American Airlines is a major signal for the future of aviation. This episode is presented by Lodgify. Articles: Honorable Mention: AskAConciergehttps://skift.com/2026/04/14/expedia-ai-survey-travel-discovery-booking-8-percent/https://skift.com/2026/04/13/the-squeeze-inside-the-crisis-crushing-americas-hotel-owners/https://skift.com/2026/04/13/united-airlines-floated-possible-merger-with-rival-american-report/ Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Delta doubles down on premium cabins with a billion-dollar investment, tax refunds fall short of boosting travel as expected, and a luxury hotel pioneer returns with a new membership-driven model. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why airlines are building around high-paying travelers, what softer tax refunds mean for travel demand, and how luxury hospitality is shifting toward exclusivity and community. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGDelta One's First Upgrade in a DecadeTravel Spending Boost From Tax Refunds Falls ShortThe Man Who Built Six Senses Is Back With a New Luxury Concept Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Travel demand stalled in February as uncertainty reshapes decisions, countries add new guidance for visiting the U.S., and Meta's AI signals a bigger shift in how trips get chosen. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why travel is becoming a confidence-driven decision again, what international travelers need to know before coming to the U.S., and how AI is moving the battleground for travel from booking to inspiration. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGSkift Travel Health Index FlatlinesWhat Countries Are Telling Travelers About Visiting the U.S. Right NowMeta's New AI Model and the Future of Travel Discovery Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Delta warns the current fuel shock may force structural change across airlines, as leadership risk emerges at top carriers and AI shifts from experimentation to core infrastructure. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why rising fuel costs could accelerate consolidation, what happens when airline strategy is tied too closely to one leader, and why the next phase of AI in travel is about reliability, not hype. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGDelta CEO Sees Fuel Crisis Spurring Structural ChangesWhat Happens to America's Best Airlines When Their CEOs LeaveAI Infrastructure and the Future of Travel Orchestration Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down the growing loyalty balance at Marriott Hotels and Hilton, and what nearly $7 billion in outstanding points really means for the industry. Is it a liability or one of the most powerful tools in hospitality? They also cover the race to expand midscale brands, Delta Air Lines raising bag fees as costs rise, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts passing 100 hotels in Mexico as growth shifts toward value-driven markets. This episode is brought to you by Vrbo! Learn how you can earn OneKeyCash today. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.