Skift Daily Briefing

U.S. President Donald Trump proposed extensive new tariffs that could indirectly impact the travel industry by raising costs for goods and potentially deterring international tourists due to rising prices and geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, travel brands are facing uncertainty around marketing on TikTok as a U.S. ban looms, even though the app plays a significant role in travel discovery and pro...

U.S. tariffs introduced by President Trump may indirectly affect the travel industry by increasing costs and strengthening the dollar, potentially deterring international visitors and raising expenses for hotel owners. Travel leaders like United Airlines and Accor have already reported declines in international travel to the U.S., citing negative perceptions and rising tensions as contributing fac...

Travelers can now book hotels directly through the AI search engine Perplexity, which integrates data from Tripadvisor and Selfbook, though the booking process is still somewhat clunky. European airline CEOs say demand for travel to the U.S. remains strong despite economic concerns, but warn that a decline could pose challenges due to limited alternative markets. Meanwhile, Airbus claims innovatio...

Despite ongoing economic concerns and declining consumer confidence, a new survey shows that people still plan to increase their travel spending, even as they cut back on entertainment like movies and live events. Eurostar is experiencing a strong rise in bookings from U.S. travelers, with CEO Gwendoline Cazenave noting no signs of a slowdown and emphasizing seamless travel as key to continued gro...

United Airlines is raising fees for its credit cards and lounge memberships while adding new perks like rideshare credits and Instacart memberships, as it sees growing revenue from these services. Marriott International is expanding rapidly in the branded residences market, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America, though it faces stiff competition from other major hotel chains. Meanwhile, Mi...

London’s Heathrow Airport has been shut down until 11:59 p.m. on March 21 due to a major power outage caused by a fire, resulting in the cancellation of 1,351 flights and at least 120 diversions. Accor’s loyalty program, ALL, has surpassed 100 million members globally, though it still trails behind Marriott and Hilton due to its smaller global footprint. Meanwhile, Airbnb is ramping up efforts to...

Vrbo launched a marketing campaign targeting Airbnb, but Airbnb dismissed it as ineffective, with Skift Research showing Airbnb’s dominant market share of 44% compared to Vrbo’s 9%. Sonesta remains optimistic about strong bookings despite economic concerns and is shifting towards franchising by selling 114 properties, particularly seeing growth in East Coast markets. Meanwhile, IHG has opened West...

Marriott International sees India as a key driver of its future growth, with CEO Anthony Capuano emphasizing local leadership, expansion into secondary cities, and tourism development in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson highlighted India's rapid aviation growth, with over 1,000 aircraft on order, a booming loyalty program, and plans to integrate AI for o...

The Trump administration is considering new travel restrictions that could impact up to 43 countries, including full visa bans for 11 nations, citing national security concerns. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched a debit card targeting Gen Z and Millennials, allowing users to earn Wyndham Rewards points on everyday purchases. Meanwhile, the short-term rental market is increasingly dominated by...

Radisson is prioritizing an "owner-first" approach to its expansion, adding a record 40,000 guest rooms last year and planning significant growth in China. Riyadh Air sees India as a key market for its global network, with increasing Indian visitor numbers and transit flight potential. Skift Research estimates the global accommodation market generated $1.2 trillion in 2023, with moderate growth ex...

Southwest Airlines reversed its long-standing “bags fly free” policy after its expected gains from listing flights on Google Flights, Kayak, and Expedia failed to materialize, prompting the airline to reconsider its distribution strategy. Meanwhile, Canadian visits to the U.S. have declined post-pandemic, with a significant drop in car travel and vacation rental bookings, influenced by past politi...

Airbnb is revamping its experiences offerings by focusing on mainstream attractions and professional tour guides, signaling a shift from its original emphasis on niche activities. Southwest Airlines is ending its long-standing “bags fly free” policy under pressure from Elliott Investment Management, a move that could impact its loyal customer base. Meanwhile, Lufthansa Group reported a 16% rise in...

Booking Holdings is preparing for AI chatbot integration in travel but does not see them replacing online travel agencies, as travelers trust specialists for major purchases. Airline group IAG has allocated $217 million for startup investments to enhance customer experience, operations, and sustainability. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines has lowered its quarterly revenue and profit forecasts due to eco...

Canadian airlines are responding to escalating U.S.-Canada trade tensions by adjusting their marketing and capacity strategies, with Porter Airlines halting U.S.-bound promotions and Air Canada reducing capacity in certain U.S. leisure markets, while Flair Airlines pivots to promote non-U.S. destinations. American Express announced plans to acquire the expense management startup Center, aiming to...

Spanish authorities are developing measures, including a sustainable tourism strategy and regional initiatives in Catalonia, to protect tourists from extreme heat and its impacts. Airlines are increasingly integrating generative AI into their customer services, with United, Southwest, and Delta implementing various applications. Ryanair has announced plans for a fully digital boarding process, alt...

Expedia Group has laid off hundreds of marketing staff globally—mostly those in content creation—in advance of a reorganization, marking its second round of layoffs following a previous cut of about 1,500 workers. Airbnb is distancing itself from co-founder Joe Gebbia’s controversial personal views, emphasizing that his opinions do not represent the company or its nonprofit work, despite his past...

Banks and credit card companies are expanding their influence in the travel industry by launching their own booking platforms and capturing significant market share. Meanwhile, IAG is taking a leading role in sustainable aviation fuel usage despite its relatively smaller size, driven by government and EU mandates. Lastly, Deer Valley in Utah stands out in the U.S. ski industry by justifying its hi...

Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin says the hospitality giant is done with frequent reinventions and is now focused on executing its growth plans, including rolling out Orient Express overnight trains with luxury titan LVMH next year. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is taking steps to address the severe air traffic controller shortage by ramping up hiring, boosting salaries by 30%, and even appealing to ret...

Major hotel loyalty programs continue to expand rapidly, with Marriott’s 228 million members facing growing competition from Hilton Honors, which could overtake Marriott by the end of next year if current trends hold. Meanwhile, Amazon has unveiled Alexa+, an enhanced voicebot capable of assisting with travel planning and reservations through partnerships with Priceline, Tripadvisor, Uber, and Ope...

Hyatt has introduced a new brand, Hyatt Select, targeting budget-conscious transient travelers in underserved markets while offering hotel owners a cost-effective conversion option. The airline industry, led by IATA, is urging the U.S. government to reconsider passenger protection regulations from the Obama and Biden administrations, including compensation for delays and wheelchair return policies...

Advancements in smartphone AI may lead consumers to bypass third-party travel apps, posing challenges for travel companies as they try to adapt their offerings. Europe's largest travel operator TUI is partnering with Fever to launch "Experiences for Locals," providing unique activities like Afrobeats-themed brunches and Sicilian cooking classes. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has introduced an AI-powere...

Choice Hotels is shifting its focus from budget roadside chains to upscale and extended-stay properties, with brands like MainStay Suites nearly doubling their footprint since 2019. Spirit Airlines will exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a private company after a U.S. judge approved its restructuring plan, with top bondholders gaining control. Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel downplayed AI-related disr...

JetBlue is exploring new airline partnerships to strengthen its loyalty program after a federal judge blocked its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines in 2023. InterContinental Hotels Group admitted it will not meet its 2030 emissions reduction goal due to rising emissions and slow renewable energy adoption. Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip aims to become a travel superapp by integrating various travel...

InterContinental Hotels Group is acquiring Ruby Hotels for over $300 million as part of its European expansion strategy, with plans to introduce the brand in the U.S. by year-end. UK airlines, facing a new sustainable aviation fuel mandate, may struggle to source enough fuel as China tightens control over its biofuel exports. Meanwhile, the UK’s competition regulator has provisionally approved Ame...

Airport lounges in the U.S. are expanding, prompting operators to restore exclusivity, with JetBlue setting strict entry rules for its first-ever lounges at JFK and Boston, while co-branded credit card lounges like Chase’s Sapphire Lounge offer premium experiences. Travel tech firm TravelPerk raised $200 million to enhance its platform with expense management tools, expand in the U.S., and integra...