Skift Daily Briefing

Canadian travel to the U.S. ticks up in June but underlying data shows a market that still hasn't decided to return, lifestyle hotel brands are moving into all-inclusive and Ennismore thinks the stigma is finally gone, and a provocative take on why sometimes when hospitality fails the problem is actually the guest. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the Canadian travel rebound headline is more complicated than it looks, how Ennismore is betting Mondrian and SLS can bring lifestyle credibility to a format long associated with buffets and wristbands, and why the best hospitality experiences require something from the guest too. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGCanadian Travel to the U.S. Is Rising Again — Still Down Almost 29% From 2024Ennismore Thinks Lifestyle Brands Can Survive All-Inclusive. Mondrian Is the Next Test.When Hospitality Fails, the Problem Might Be the Guest 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.

Two airlines created the World Cup's best marketing moment without paying FIFA a cent, Delta launches a stripped-down business class fare that turns premium travel into a spectrum, and there's one obscure hotel metric about to tell us whether the industry's recovery is built to last. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how Norwegian Air and British Airways generated massive World Cup buzz with nothing but a well-timed Instagram bet, what Delta's new Basic Business fare means for travelers trying to decide how much business class they actually need, and why incentive management fees are the number every hotel analyst will be watching this earnings season. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHey @British_Airways — Norwegian Air Shows How to Get Free World Cup BuzzDelta Launches Stripped-Down Business Class FaresThis Obscure Marriott Fee Will Be a Key Signal of Profit Strength 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.

EasyJet's potential $7 billion takeover is putting Europe's remaining independent airlines on notice, Air Canada names a new multilingual CEO after a very public language controversy, and a sharp look at why the West ended up with two half-apps instead of one super app. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down which European airlines are most likely to be next in the consolidation wave EasyJet just triggered, why Air Canada's CEO succession story is really a cautionary tale about language and leadership in Canada, and why Google and Uber keep moving into each other's territory without either one closing the loop. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGWho's Next After EasyJet? We Size Up 10 Possible Takeover TargetsAir Canada Names SAS Chief Anko Van der Werff as New CEOThe West Got Two Half-Apps Instead of a Super App: Google Maps vs. Uber 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 World Cup's tourism boost is spreading far beyond host cities into markets nobody expected, AI chatbots are bypassing travel brand apps even when fully integrated, and Hilton opens a direct line to corporate travel platform Navan to cut out the middlemen. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the World Cup's ripple effect is reaching markets 60+ miles from any stadium, why being available inside an AI chatbot is not the same as being chosen by one, and how Hilton's direct Navan connection signals that the fight to cut out distribution middlemen is coming for corporate travel next. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGWorld Cup Ripple Effect: Non-Host MarketsChatGPT Apps, Claude Connectors, Travel: A Hands-On TestHilton Opens Direct Line to Navan, Cutting Out Corporate Travel Middlemen 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.

Airbnb nearly doubled Marriott's World Cup marketing reach at a fraction of the cost, airlines are buying concert venue naming rights and turning them into loyalty real estate, and extended-stay hotels are having their best demand run in four years with supply thinning fast. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Airbnb's focused World Cup bet is a masterclass in what targeted spending can do against a much bigger budget, how British Airways and Delta are turning theaters and concert halls into year-round loyalty platforms, and why extended-stay hotels may be the least glamorous but most attractive investment opportunity in hospitality heading into 2027. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGMarriott Outspends Rivals on TV but Airbnb Owns the World CupAirlines Are Turning Live Entertainment Into a Loyalty StrategyExtended Stay Demand Hits a Four-Year High as Supply Pipeline Thins 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 Trump administration moves to repeal Obama-era airfare transparency rules, OTAs shift their focus from winning traveler trust to winning the trust of AI agents, and American Airlines takes a direct swing at United in Chicago with a new Tokyo route. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why rolling back airfare transparency rules is part of a broader pattern of shrinking consumer protections, how the real AI distribution war is no longer about convincing travelers but convincing the agents booking on their behalf, and why American's new Tokyo route is a statement of intent in its battle with United at O'Hare. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGTrump Administration Moves to Repeal Obama's Airfare Transparency RuleOTAs Are Betting on Traveler Trust but the Scramble Is On to Win the Trust of AI AgentsAmerican Launches Flights to Tokyo From Chicago O'Hare as It Looks to Rebuild Hub 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 U.S. proposes lifting a 53-year ban on supersonic flight over land, Visa launches a consumer travel platform that puts it in direct competition with the banks that pay it, and a look at the rare airline CEOs who simply never leave. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down what the FAA's proposed rule change actually means for the future of supersonic travel and how soon it could happen, why Visa's new travel platform creates a quiet but significant conflict with its own card-issuing partners, and what the long-tenured airline CEO phenomenon reveals about the ownership structures that make them possible. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGU.S. Paves Way for Supersonic Flight Over LandVisa Steps Into Travel and Into Competition With Its Own Card IssuersThe Airline CEOs Who Don't Leave 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.

A wave of hotel owners are walking away from major brand flags as expiring franchise agreements expose just how little they were getting for the price, Accor and H World link loyalty programs to open up 430 million members to each other, and Best Western's parent company has a plan to finally stop shrinking. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why hotel owners are increasingly deciding the brand premium isn't worth it anymore, how Accor and H World are betting on customer access over building more hotels to crack China and Europe, and why BWH Hotels thinks its cooperative model is the right pitch at exactly the right moment. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGGoing It Alone: Why Hotel Owners Are Dropping the Big BrandsAccor and H World Link Loyalty Programs to Swap Chinese and European TravelersBest Western Has Been Shrinking. BWH Hotels' Fix Is to Shift Upscale and Overseas. 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.

U.S. hotel demand is having one of its strongest stretches in years and the growth is finally spreading beyond luxury, airlines are cutting seats ahead of July 4 while fares stay high, and Apple just turned its Wallet into a full trip companion with Disney leading the way. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the broadening of hotel demand beyond luxury is the most encouraging data point the industry has seen all year, what fewer seats and higher fares mean for your July 4 travel plans, and why Apple's Wallet expansion is forcing travel brands to decide how much of the guest experience they're willing to hand over to Apple. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGU.S. Hotel Demand Is Rebounding and It's No Longer Just a Luxury StoryAirlines Are Trimming Capacity Ahead of July 4Apple Wallet Key: Disney Hotel Resorts and Parks 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.

A deadly heat wave is shutting down Europe's most iconic attractions just as summer travel peaks, the airline industry backs a ban on surveillance pricing while insisting no one actually does it, and experience specialists are leaving the big OTAs in the dust after 30 years of promises. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, ⁠Sarah Dandashy⁠ breaks down why this summer's European heat wave is a preview of a new travel planning reality, why the airline industry's stance on surveillance pricing raises more questions than it answers, and why the companies actually winning the experiences market are the ones that built their whole business around it. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGEurope Heat Wave Disrupts Tourism and TravelAirline Lobby Backs Ban on Surveillance PricingExperience Pure-Plays Are Winning. OTAs Are Still Catching 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.

Amadeus thinks it has a fix for the AI search problem quietly breaking airline economics, Marriott makes its first move into branded apartment rentals, and U.S. News just ranked America's best meeting cities and somehow put Miami dead last. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why airlines risk losing the distribution battle all over again if they don't solve their AI visibility problem fast, what Marriott's W Apartments play signals about where branded hospitality is heading next, and why the meetings industry isn't buying Miami's last-place finish. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGAmadeus Has an Answer for AI's Infinite Search ProblemMarriott to Brand Apartment Rentals — W Hotels to Add Branded Rental Units in 2027U.S. News & World Report's Inaugural Meeting Destination Rankings: Here's How Cities Stacked 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.

Airline executives make clear that lower fuel costs won't mean cheaper tickets, Carnival posts record revenue but still trims its outlook as the Middle East war lingers, and a decade-long look at Airbnb's attempts to become a travel superapp reveals just how many times it's started and stopped. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why structural shifts in the airline industry mean higher fares could be the new normal regardless of what happens to fuel, why Carnival's record quarter still came with a cautious outlook, and what's actually different about Airbnb's latest push to become more than a short-term rental platform. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGThose Higher Airfares May Stick Even if Fuel Prices DropCarnival Cruise Second Quarter: Middle East ImpactHow Airbnb Went From Short-Term Rentals to Hotels, Car Rentals, and Beyond: A Timeline 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.

One week of World Cup hotel data reveals a more complicated picture than anyone expected, Hilton signals it's building new brands again with a mysterious "Tortoise" trademark in the mix, and Hyatt's lifestyle chief is quietly cleaning house one property at a time. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why World Cup hotels are making money on rate but missing on occupancy as the international crowd stays home, what Hilton's new brand activity signals about where the hotel giant is placing its next big bets, and how Hyatt's Amar Lalvani is raising the bar on what actually qualifies as a lifestyle hotel. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGWorld Cup Hotel Revenue and Occupancy: Week OneHilton Says It Will Build New Brands Again. Owners Will Want to See the Math.How Hyatt's Lifestyle Chief Does a Portfolio Cleanup 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 UK and Australia lift Gulf travel warnings as the Iran war winds down but European carriers remain grounded pending safety clearance, JetBlue doubles down on Fort Lauderdale while retreating from its New York roots, and Airbnb makes its first fintech move with a Hopper-style cancellation product. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Gulf recovery is real but slow and entirely dependent on insurance and regulators, how JetBlue is quietly rebuilding its network around opportunity rather than geography, and what Airbnb's new cancellation feature signals about where the company is heading next. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGUK and Australia Lift Gulf Travel Warnings but European Airlines Await ClearanceJetBlue Pushes Deeper Into Fort Lauderdale, Shrinks in Newark and LaGuardiaAirbnb Moves Into Fintech With a Hopper-Like Cancel for Any Reason Feature 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.

Europe hands airlines a major defeat on passenger rights after 13 years of lobbying, July Fourth travel hits a slim record carried almost entirely by cruises, and new research reveals AI is sending more travelers to travel sites but can't actually read most airline fares. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the EU's decision to keep its passenger compensation rules intact is a significant win for travelers and a costly loss for airlines, why this July Fourth record is more complicated than it looks once you strip out cruises, and why airlines are losing the AI visibility race to OTAs at exactly the wrong moment. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGEurope's New Rules Leave Airlines With the Same €8 Billion ProblemJuly Fourth Travel Carried by Cruises: AAAAdobe Data: AI Travel Traffic Up for Airlines, Hotels, and Car Rentals 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.

Marriott hotel owners demand a bigger cut of a loyalty program generating $1 billion in credit card fees, American Express drops $700 million on a European restaurant platform to quietly become one of travel's most powerful players, and Equinox Hotels is finally expanding by betting everything on sleep. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Marriott's loyalty goldmine is creating a very expensive fight with the owners running its hotels, how Amex is building a travel empire one dining platform at a time, and why Equinox's sleep-first expansion is the boldest wellness bet in luxury hospitality right now. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGMarriott Hotel Owners Want a Bigger Cut of Loyalty IncomeWhy Amex Spent $700 Million on TheFork and What's Next for TripadvisorEquinox Hotels Is Finally Expanding. It's Betting Everything on Sleep. 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.

Overseas visits to the U.S. drop sharply in May as Western Europe stays home, World Cup host cities spend millions on welcome campaigns to fight a perception problem, and a ten-year look at hotels vs. OTAs reveals who actually won. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why inbound tourism is still sliding even as the World Cup kicks off, how host cities are betting big-budget welcome campaigns can overcome visa headlines and entry policy concerns, and why the real winner of the hotel vs. OTA war wasn't market share — it was margin. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGOverseas Travel to the United States May DeclineWorld Cup Tourism Campaign VideosHotels Tried to Cut Out Expedia. Here's What Happened. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.