Skift Daily Briefing

Expedia Group reported strong fourth-quarter growth, with CEO Ariane Gorin highlighting AI partnerships and potential expansions while CFO Scott Schenkel emphasized merger opportunities. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta expressed optimism about a corporate travel rebound post-election and China's travel recovery, citing policy clarity and visa-free zones as key drivers. Meanwhile, Booking Holdings CEO Gl...

A New York City regulator reported that Local Law 18 has effectively curbed illegal short-term rentals, with major booking platforms now in compliance. The Walt Disney Company is optimistic about expanding its cruise fleet and increasing theme park attendance, contributing to a robust revenue increase in its Parks & Experiences division. British Airways is revamping its communication strategy on i...

Marriott, despite a recent 16% cut in corporate staffing, reported record growth last year, and CEO Anthony Capuano emphasized his commitment to serving employees, guests, and owners while working to clarify the company’s brand portfolio and expand into unconventional hospitality offerings like safari experiences and a yacht collection. Tripadvisor has recently laid off over 150 employees and cont...

The potential U.S.-Canada trade war is currently on hold, but tariffs remain a threat, which could impact tourism as a weaker Canadian dollar may make U.S. travel more expensive, potentially leading to a $2.1 billion loss in spending. Columnist Colin Nagy highlights Delta Air Lines’ success in attracting premium travelers but argues it must improve its long-haul service to compete with top global...

Hotel industry leaders emphasize the importance of diversity for appealing to global travelers, employees, and investors, despite challenges from the Trump administration, with Wyndham's CEO highlighting mentorship programs for women and Black entrepreneurs. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines reg...

A midair collision between an American Eagle regional jet and an Army Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport led to flight disruptions and ongoing search and rescue operations, with the FAA and NTSB launching an investigation. Columnist Colin Nagy highlights a shift in the hospitality industry away from post-Covid extravagance, praising brands like Capella, Dusit Thani Bangko...

China-based AI model DeepSeek is rapidly gaining attention in the tech industry, potentially lowering AI costs for travel brands while disrupting online travel agencies. Meanwhile, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the new chairman of AirAsia Move, plans to integrate luxury travel and cruising into the superapp’s offerings, expanding its reach beyond Southeast Asia. Despite a $4 billion loss, Boeing is...

Hotel deals are projected to surge in 2025, with JLL forecasting 15-25% growth and a focus on city-center properties in destinations like London, New York, and Tokyo. Meanwhile, Greenland’s rising tourism, fueled by global attention and a 9% hike in land-based visitors in 2023, is straining its limited infrastructure and fragile environment. Finally, TravelPerk’s $200 million funding round, the la...

OpenAI has launched Operator, a digital assistant that can independently search and book travel, raising concerns among industry leaders about its impact on intermediaries like Booking.com and Expedia. Tripadvisor is exploring strategic alternatives, rejecting a recent acquisition bid while moving forward with plans to acquire its parent company, Liberty Tripadvisor, for $435 million. American Air...

Accor is expanding its portfolio of economy hotels in the Middle East as the region shifts toward mass-market tourism, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. In India, while domestic and outbound tourism have grown, inbound tourism remains weak due to visa difficulties and reduced government funding for global tourism promotion. Meanwhile, the Chinese social media platform RedNote has surged in...

President Donald Trump signed executive orders that could impact travel, including a federal hiring freeze that may lead to visa processing delays and stricter screening rules that resemble his previous travel ban. Online travel agency Hopper is considering an IPO, with CEO Fred Lalonde estimating a potential $10 billion valuation, though the company must meet revenue and profitability targets fir...

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has the hotel industry hopeful for policies like tax cuts and expanded worker visas to boost business, as the expiration of key tax provisions could lead to a 33% increase in taxes. Meanwhile, TikTok will remain accessible in the U.S. after Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to find a buyer, preventing a federal ban that could have disrupted travel m...

Airbnb has introduced a policy preventing hosts in Los Angeles and Ventura counties from increasing prices by more than 10% after wildfires, following warnings from California’s attorney general about illegal price gouging. In the airline industry, 2024 saw record-breaking passenger capacity despite fewer scheduled flights, with U.S. airlines dominating the global market and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-J...

The U.S. Department of Transportation is suing Southwest Airlines for chronically delayed flights on specific routes, while the airline disputes the claims. President-elect Donald Trump’s Transportation Secretary nominee, Sean Duffy, emphasized aviation safety and merit-based hiring during his Senate hearing. A report on the hotel industry highlights a gap between sustainability commitments and ac...

Tripadvisor is testing a partnership with AI search engine Perplexity to leverage its vast travel data and maintain visibility in search results, while Perplexity pays for that data and gives Tripadvisor a commission on bookings. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines is pausing corporate hiring and most internships to cut costs as it works toward returning to profitability. Finally, luxury hospitality com...

American Express Global Business Travel is defending its proposed $570 million acquisition of CWT against a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit, arguing the deal, slated to close in March, would not harm competition despite DOJ concerns over pricing and innovation. Meanwhile, luxury hotel brand Belmond is promoting its properties with hour-long ambient videos, aiming to differentiate itself from co...

TikTok is launching its first e-commerce product exclusively for travel brands to help them reach potential customers in the booking moment. Meanwhile, Hilton has surpassed 1,000 trading hotels in Asia-Pacific ahead of schedule and plans to expand further by tailoring offerings to local travelers and leveraging strategic franchising. Lastly, with hotel supply in India lagging behind demand, indust...

Kerzner International plans to expand its ultra-luxury hotel portfolio by adding at least 10 new properties under both the One&Only and Atlantis brands, while also accelerating the growth of its newer lifestyle brands, Siro and Rare Finds. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines is ending its eight-year partnership with Lyft and making Uber its exclusive rideshare and delivery partner, allowing SkyMiles member...

At Skift’s Megatrends event, travel executives discussed the rising impact of AI on the industry, with Thomas Reiner of Altimeter Capital warning that AI-driven personal assistants could disrupt online travel agencies, metasearch engines, and traditional SEO. Meanwhile, Kayak CEO Steve Hafner anticipates that a commercial agreement between an AI engine and a major travel brand could arrive by 2025...

The U.S. hotel transaction market is flourishing for properties valued under $50 million or over $250 million, but mid-size full-service hotels have essentially frozen due to owners clinging to 2019 prices and increased renovation costs. Meanwhile, a severe winter storm caused over 1,400 flight cancellations in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, most notably at Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airpor...

The travel industry is poised for growth in 2025, with Skift Research predicting a 9% increase in global travel spending, led by a 14% surge in India. However, challenges such as rising labor costs and slow economic growth in Europe and China could temper progress. Meanwhile, Accor is expanding its luxury offerings, including launching the ultra-luxury Orient Express brand, and Casago's acquisitio...

Hyatt is in talks to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts, expanding its all-inclusive resort footprint in the Caribbean and Mexico, while Despegar has agreed to a $1.7 billion cash buyout by Prosus slated to close in 2025. Additionally, a Skift Research report suggests hotel websites could overtake online travel agencies (OTAs) by 2030, though there’s debate about whether major brands’ direct booking g...

Hyatt has partnered with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, allowing guests to book through Hyatt’s platforms and participate in its loyalty program, marking a major expansion in Las Vegas with 7,000 rooms as leisure and group travel surges. Meanwhile, Lark Hospitality and Life House Hotels announced a joint venture creating one of North America’s largest operators of boutique hotels, encompassing a $...

Hilton plans to grow its luxury hotel portfolio in Asia-Pacific by leveraging long-term owner relationships and a tailored regional approach rather than acquisitions, despite strong local competition. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has introduced a rule banning junk fees in travel, requiring upfront disclosure of total costs for hotels, short-term rentals, and online travel agencies....

Belmond, a luxury brand under LVMH, is expanding its portfolio with new high-end trains, private villas, and Michelin-starred experiences to meet the growing demand for immersive travel. Meanwhile, family-run hotels are winning over travelers who prefer understated, personal experiences over ostentatious, cookie-cutter luxury. Finally, the debate over sustainable aviation fuel continues, with ambi...