Skift Daily Briefing

Google introduced new travel-related AI tools at its developer conference, including smart glasses for real-time translation and navigation, and a more advanced AI Mode for complex search tasks. A Skift analysis revealed that over three dozen U.S. lawmakers and their spouses have actively traded stocks in travel companies such as Booking Holdings, Marriott, and Airbnb, totaling nearly 600 trades s...

Airbnb faces hurdles in reaching its $1 billion experiences business target, as the tours and activities sector grows slowly and customers typically book experiences separately from accommodations. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts launched its first global brand campaign since 2021, emphasizing personalized moments with bookable experiences and a new ad campaign titled “Make Special Happen.” Meanwhile, A...

Airbnb is relaunching its “Airbnb Originals” experiences, focusing on unique, locally vetted offerings such as cooking classes with Michelin-starred chefs and celebrity hangouts, to differentiate itself in a competitive market. Amadeus has acquired ForwardKeys, a travel analytics firm, to enhance its travel intelligence capabilities, marking its third acquisition in 2024. Archer Aviation announced...

Expedia Group is expanding its B2B business to include new offerings like flights, rental cars, and travel insurance, aiming to become a comprehensive platform for travel partners. Airbnb is enhancing its app by using user profiles to deliver personalized experiences based on travel preferences and companions, with CEO Brian Chesky envisioning profiles as central to its ecosystem. Meanwhile, optim...

In April, travel to the U.S. rebounded with a notable 12% increase in visits from Western Europe, particularly from Germany and the U.K., though the data excludes Canada, where visits have declined. The U.S. air traffic control system is under scrutiny due to outdated technology and staffing shortages, prompting the government to invest billions in modernization, including new towers and increased...

Expedia Group is experiencing weaker travel demand to the U.S., reporting a 7% decline in inbound travel and lowering its full-year growth expectations due to softening bookings and revenue. Choice Hotels also cut its revenue outlook, though it saw a 7% rise in revenue per available room from its budget brands, benefiting from factors like strong employment and low gas prices. Meanwhile, Sphere En...

Google is now allowing ads from travel companies to appear in generative AI search results, with startups like iAsk showing sponsored links from brands such as Tripadvisor and American Airlines. Meanwhile, Disney announced plans to build its first Middle Eastern theme park in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, with the project being designed and financed in collaboration with government-backed developer Mir...

Marriott has lowered its full-year forecast due to weakening demand in the U.S., despite strong international performance and double-digit revenue growth in India and Japan. In a separate development, Skift highlights ten influential women in the Asia-Pacific travel industry ahead of its upcoming Asia Forum, spotlighting leaders from Hilton, Klook, and Indonesia’s aviation sector. Meanwhile, Hilto...

JetBlue has sold its venture capital arm, JetBlue Ventures, to Sky Leasing in a move to return to profitability following setbacks including the collapse of partnerships with American Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Airbnb's global rollout of upfront pricing now includes cleaning fees, which vary significantly by region, with North America and the Caribbean showing the highest incidence. Meanwhile,...

Airbnb is working to regain double-digit growth in nights booked by expanding internationally, especially in Italy, Germany, and Japan, and by adding more high-quality hotels to its platform, including incentives through HotelTonight. Wyndham has revised its revenue outlook downward due to softer March demand but remains optimistic about long-term gains from infrastructure spending, having opened...

Trivago reported a strong first quarter with $141 million in revenue—a 22% year-over-year increase—driven by global and local ad campaigns, with expectations of continued growth. China’s H World Group now leads globally in hotel count and loyalty membership, aiming to double its presence by expanding budget and upscale hotels in China and internationally. Meanwhile, Wizz Air urged faster climate a...

Skift reports that a survey of travel industry leaders shows widespread concern over the Trump administration’s early impact, with “uncertainty” being the dominant theme and many seeing potential opportunities for non-U.S. markets. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta remains optimistic about the economy and travel demand despite acknowledging short-term concerns and trimming Hilton’s annual revenue outlook....

Marriott International plans to acquire CitizenM to expand its select-service and lifestyle hotel portfolio, expecting the deal to boost its 2025 net room growth and generate $30 million in annual fees. Expedia Group is laying off about 3% of its workforce, mainly in the product, technology, and finance teams, as part of a broader restructuring effort that began with its marketing team in March. M...

Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel topped online travel executive compensation in 2024 with a $126.4 million pay package, while Expedia CEO Ariane Gorin received $37.3 million, boosted by Expedia’s stock surge. Former President Donald Trump addressed the U.S. tourism decline, attributing it partly to nationalism abroad and suggesting a weaker dollar might reverse the trend, though Skift Research fou...

Expedia Group is making it harder for entry-level One Key loyalty members to earn rewards on Vrbo bookings, a change aimed at reducing costs for the company. Meanwhile, international adventure travelers are increasingly avoiding the U.S. due to perceptions of unwelcoming entry policies and lingering concerns about tariffs. Lastly, although Booking Holdings reported a drop in greenhouse gas emissio...

Travel companies have ramped up their lobbying efforts significantly in early 2025, with spending surpassing amounts seen in previous presidential terms, and the U.S. Travel Association alone investing over $1 million. In Thailand, tourism revenue goals for 2025 are being lowered due to a steep decline in Chinese tourists, influenced by regional safety concerns. Meanwhile, Airbus has postponed its...

A federal judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by using its ad tech tools to maintain a monopoly, a decision that could benefit travel advertisers like Expedia and Trivago, who have long criticized Google's dominance. Skift Research warns of potential recession impacts on the travel industry, with luxury hotels like Hyatt already seeing share-price declines, though this segment may prov...

Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta was the highest-paid hotel executive in 2024 with $58.7 million in compensation, followed by Marriott’s Anthony Capuano and Wyndham’s Geoffrey Ballotti. Meanwhile, Beijing has instructed Chinese airlines not to place new orders with Boeing amid rising U.S.-China trade tensions, a move that could impact both the aircraft manufacturer and China’s carriers. Lastly, travel br...

U.S. hotel growth is slowing due to weak travel demand and economic uncertainty, with Goldman Sachs projecting minimal revenue increases and a 45% chance of recession. Expedia has begun selling Ryanair flights in the U.S. and Europe after resolving a legal dispute, marking a shift in how airlines distribute inventory online. Meanwhile, new maritime regulations will require cruise lines to pay for...

Travel executives are seeing early signs of weakening U.S. travel demand amid economic uncertainty, with hotel prices dropping and travelers opting for cheaper domestic trips. Frontier Airlines plans to cut capacity and anticipates a first-quarter net loss due to softening demand and necessary fare promotions. Meanwhile, Marriott has launched a new emotionally driven ad campaign, “Travel Shapes Us...

Delta Air Lines has paused its 2025 outlook due to economic uncertainty and stalled growth, despite gains in international and premium revenue, while also noting a drop in Canadian bookings. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is launching its first major brand refresh since 1985, including a new app, updated branding, and an expanded global portfolio plan. Meanwhile, the short-term rental industry stru...

International arrivals to the U.S. dropped over 11% in March compared to last year, with significant declines from Western Europe, especially Germany, according to new government data. Morningstar has downgraded its 2025 revenue growth forecasts for major online travel companies due to economic concerns and tariffs introduced by President Trump. Meanwhile, Emirates’ president warned of a potential...

The U.S. hotel industry is under pressure due to trade disruptions from Trump's tariff policies, with HotelAVE CEO Michelle Russo warning of a 5% drop in revenue per available room and advising hotels to prepare for supply chain issues and reduced traveler demand. Spirit Airlines is undergoing a major leadership shake-up as CEO Ted Christie and CCO Matt Klein step down, following the airline’s rec...

Special Monday Edition: Global travel stocks suffered steep declines on Monday, with major markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe seeing significant selloffs due to mounting fears over global tariffs and economic instability. The Hang Seng index dropped over 13%, its worst fall since 1997, while travel-linked stocks like Trip.com and Alibaba plunged by double digits. European airlines and ho...

President Trump's newly announced tariffs have increased recession fears, triggering a sharp drop in travel company stocks and prompting Skift Research to revise its 2025 global travel growth forecast down to 2-5%. U.S. and European airlines were hit hard, with major carriers like United, Delta, and American seeing stock declines of at least 8%, as economic uncertainty continues to weigh on the in...