Skift

Booking Holdings is developing agentic AI to create a more personalized travel assistant capable of taking actions like booking flights, with CFO Ewout Steenbergen calling it key to delivering the long-promised “connected trip.” Marriott is expanding its Bonvoy loyalty program through partnerships with retailers such as Flipkart and Nectar, aiming to reward everyday shopping and draw new customers into its hotel portfolio. Meanwhile, a Skift Research report finds hotels still devote most tech budgets to legacy systems, but the biggest revenue gains will come from upgrading core infrastructure and applying AI to behind-the-scenes tasks like pricing and issue resolution. 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.bs

Delta’s Ed Bastian said most of the airline’s revenue now comes from households earning $100,000+—a key reason carriers are leaning into premium and international travel even as budget travelers dampen domestic demand. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky signaled AI could reopen expansion plans (including flights and transportation), with AI-powered search coming to the app next year and simpler listing tools for hosts. Meanwhile, Canadians are skipping U.S. trips in large numbers—August car returns down 34% and air returns down 25% year over year—while domestic bookings in Canada are rising. Delta CEO Doubles Down on Premium: 95% of Revenue From $100k TravelersCanadian Travel to the U.S. Falls Sharply AgainAirbnb’s Brian Chesky: AI Opens New Markets, ‘Everything Is Now Back on the Table’ 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/skift

Skift’s latest Power Rankings spotlight bold leaders reshaping travel, from Airbnb’s Brian Chesky relaunching Experiences, to Perplexity’s Aravind Srinivas challenging Google’s travel search with AI, and IndiGo’s Pieter Elbers pushing long-haul expansion with new widebodies. Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 add live language translation for English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Meanwhile, United CEO Scott Kirby says airline demand is rebounding and the industry is stabilizing amid eased tariff worries and new tax provisions. The Leaders Making the Biggest Bets in Travel Apple Unveils Live Translation on AirPods United CEO Expresses Confidence About the Economy 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’s Generation Next series highlights 20 women transforming the travel industry, including leaders like Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson and Shaika Nasser Al Nowais, who will become the first Emirati and first woman to lead UN Tourism. Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano pointed to a “bifurcation of the consumer,” with luxury travel booming while mid-tier hotels face pressure from economic headwinds. Meanwhile, Hyatt reported strong holiday demand for its all-inclusive resorts, particularly in the Americas, and is weighing a potential sale of a stake in its ALG Vacations arm despite its central role in filling those properties. Generation Next: The Risk Takers Hyatt Sees All-Inclusives Surge, May Sell a Stake in ALG Vacations Marriott CEO Flags Wealth Divide, Government Travel Drop, More Tech Spending Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠h

Vrbo will begin enforcing 100% penalties on U.S. hosts starting October 1 if guests are denied access to booked homes, with fines equal to the reservation amount and potential suspensions, as part of broader crackdowns by Vrbo and Airbnb on poor host service. Accor is consolidating its regional subscription cards under the global All Accor+ brand, extending discounts and perks across more than 4,000 properties in 100 countries (e.g., Asia Pacific cardholders now get 15% off worldwide). Meanwhile, although 93% of European tourism boards have experimented with AI, most lack formal strategies or expertise, with interest strongest in translation and other content tasks. Vrbo Cracks Down on Bad Hosts: 100% Penalty for Stranding Guests Europe’s Tourism Agencies Report High AI Interest But Low Use: Exclusive Accor Goes Global With Subscription Cards to Boost Hotel Loyalty Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375Likg

A group led by Sumitomo Corp and SMBC Aviation Capital will acquire aircraft lessor Air Lease for $7.4 billion, marking a major shift in an industry where leased planes now make up more than half of the global fleet. Relais & Châteaux is carefully modernizing while expanding into markets like India, China, and Southeast Asia, balancing digital adoption with its commitment to small, family-run hotels that embody authenticity and luxury. Meanwhile, India’s TBO Tek is acquiring U.S. luxury wholesaler Classic Vacations for up to $125 million to strengthen its foothold in the U.S. market and expand its global presence. 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

France is pivoting its tourism strategy to court higher-spending long-haul visitors from Asia, the Gulf, and North America, aiming to boost international tourism revenue by 41% by 2030 with a focus on longer, higher-quality stays. Despite record Northern European heat this summer, Visit Sweden says tourism impacts have been minimal so far, though climate projections warn the Nordics will warm faster than the global average. India and China agreed to restart direct flights after a five-year pause, signaling tentative thawing of ties, though no timeline has been announced. France Is the Most-Visited Country But Spending Trails Rivals Can Sweden Remain a Summer Refuge as Extreme Heatwaves Spread North? India and China to Restart Direct Flights After 5-Year Freeze Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXm

Airbnb will introduce a single-fee payment system in October, shifting service charges from guests to property managers, who will now pay 14–16% per booking, though the company says overall costs remain unchanged. Meanwhile, employers such as Positive Planet and Climate Perks are offering extra vacation days to staff who opt for lower-carbon travel methods like trains over flights, part of a growing “slow travel” movement. Finally, Boom Supersonic plans to launch three-hour New York–London flights by 2029 with its Overture aircraft, aiming for business-class travelers with $3,500 round-trip fares and new engine technology to replace the Concorde’s outdated design. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/sk

HotelAVE has grown into a $12 billion hotel asset management firm by using data to uncover profit gaps at properties, often challenging industry norms on operations and pricing strategies. The company has also built proprietary software to integrate data from multiple management systems, streamlining analysis and decision-making. Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced a multi-billion-dollar renovation of New York’s Penn Station to begin by 2027, Amtrak debuted its new high-speed Acela trains, and U.S. airlines are preparing for their busiest Labor Day weekend in 15 years, with TSA expecting to screen more than 17 million passengers. Moneyball for Hotels: How a $12 Billion Asset Management Firm Finds Value Trump Administration Plans Penn Station Overhaul in NYC, Amtrak Debuts High-Speed Acelas Labor Day to Cap Busiest Summer for U.S. Airlines in 15 Years Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Frontier Airlines is adding 20 new routes targeting some of Spirit Airlines’ most popular leisure destinations as Spirit faces financial uncertainty and warns it may not survive without additional funding. Ryanair has struck a deal with Booking Holdings to list its fares on Booking.com, Kayak, and Priceline, part of a broader effort to partner with online travel agencies it once criticized. Meanwhile, boarding pay has become a major issue in North American flight attendant contract talks, with unions gaining leverage amid staffing shortages and record airline profits. Why Boarding Pay Is the New Battleground for Flight Attendants Frontier Airlines Comes for Spirit With Latest New Routes Ryanair to Put Its Fares on Booking.com, Priceline and Kayak Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hyatt now allows World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points on non-room experiences through its new “Find Experiences” program, part of a broader industry effort to boost ancillary revenue. TikTok has partnered with Booking.com in the U.S., enabling users to book hotels directly via TikTok’s app by clicking on location pins in videos or search results. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines issued a “going concern” warning, saying it may not survive the next year without additional funding after posting significant losses and emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. Hyatt Expands Loyalty Program to Cover Experiences: Exclusive TikTok Users Can Now Book Hotels via Booking.com Spirit Airlines Was Once One of the Most Profitable Carriers. Now, Its Future Is in Doubt Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Google’s new Pixel 10 feature, Magic Cue, uses AI to scan apps, emails, and screenshots to quickly surface airline and hotel details, making it easier to manage bookings or share travel information. The U.S. State Department confirmed all 55 million valid visa holders are under continuous vetting, monitoring records and social media as part of the Trump administration’s stricter border policies and potential new visa fees. Meanwhile, British officials see rail travel as key to cutting aviation emissions, but rising train fares risk undermining its cost advantage over flying and discouraging lower-emission travel. All U.S. Visa Holders Subject to ‘Continuous Vetting’ Google’s Magic Cue Uses AI to Quickly Surface Travel Info Planes vs. Trains: UK Rail Fare Hikes Could Derail Climate Goals Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL

Tripadvisor faces fresh activist pressure as investor Palliser urges the company to prioritize or sell its fast-growing Viator unit, which it values higher than Tripadvisor’s entire market cap. Washington, D.C., hotels saw occupancy dip to 64% after a federal takeover of local police, though the decline mirrors broader national softening in demand. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines launched a joint loyalty program, Atmos Rewards, and Alaska struck a deal to equip its fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi. 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Southwest Airlines is launching Getaways by Southwest, its own vacation packages platform that bundles flights, hotels, and ground transportation, allowing customers to earn Rapid Rewards points while booking in over 30 markets such as Las Vegas, Orlando, and Hawaii. At the same time, business travelers are increasingly frustrated by content fragmentation in corporate travel booking, with airlines distributing fares across multiple systems; a Sabre survey found 90% of agencies now use four or more booking systems, raising costs and complicating itineraries. Meanwhile, the travel industry is closely watching the Federal Reserve’s annual retreat in Jackson Hole, where even a modest rate cut could lower financing costs for airlines and hotels while boosting affluent consumer demand for high-end trips. Southwest Airlines Rolls Out Its Own Vacation Packages Business Travelers Frustrated With Missing Fares in Corporate Booking Tools Travel Industry Looks for Fed Signals at Jackson Hole Connect with Skif

Soho House is going private in a $2.7 billion deal led by MCR Hotels and CEO Tyler Morse, while billionaire Ron Burkle will remain its controlling shareholder; the move follows three straight profitable quarters for the global members-only club operator. At the same time, global hotel investment activity has slowed, with JLL reporting a 16% drop in transactions during the first half of the year as large, debt-heavy deals disappear and smaller select-service and extended-stay properties dominate. Separately, NYU researchers found that most people underestimate the climate impact of their actions, especially long-haul flights, suggesting airlines could play a larger role in educating travelers by providing clearer carbon data and highlighting lower-emission options. Global Hotel Investment Stalls as High Debt Costs Deter Large Deals Soho House to Go Private in $2.7 Billion Deal Led by MCR Hotels Flying vs. Recycling: Travelers Get Climate Math Wrong Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Google is launching an AI-powered Flight Deals tool aimed at flexible travelers willing to trade fixed plans for lower prices. Airbnb introduced a Reserve Now, Pay Later feature in the U.S., giving guests more payment flexibility as part of its strategy to boost domestic bookings. Meanwhile, Air Canada began canceling flights ahead of a potential flight attendant strike, with negotiations stalled over wage increases. 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

Canadian travel to the U.S. continued to fall in July, with sharp declines in both car and air returns, while visits to other countries like Japan and Brazil increased. A potential IPO for Ennismore could reshape investor sentiment toward lifestyle hotels, signaling a shift in value from scale to brand identity and experience. Meanwhile, MSC Cruises reduced emissions last year through tech upgrades but warned that without major decarbonization breakthroughs, emissions will rise again as its fleet expands. 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Airbnb plans to expand its hotel inventory in high-demand markets while emphasizing that homes remain central to its brand. Spirit Airlines warned it may not survive without raising new funds, citing continued weak demand and ongoing financial challenges. Skift CEO Rafat Ali criticizes the U.S. tourism model as exploitative, arguing that rising travel costs reflect a broader affordability crisis impacting both visitors and locals. 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

U.S. hotels reported stagnant growth in the second quarter, with luxury properties outperforming midscale and economy brands across all major chains. Airbnb increased lobbying and sponsorship spending in a bid to strengthen ties with policymakers, contributing to thinner profit margins. Meanwhile, U.S. tourism continued to decline in July, with overseas visits down in most top markets and Canadian travel also sharply reduced. 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠h

Hyatt is benefiting from strong luxury travel demand, with its high-end brands driving revenue growth as the company pursues an asset-light strategy focused on management and franchising deals. Expedia has raised its 2025 guidance after a strong quarter fueled by B2B gains, overseas growth, and a successful partnership with Southwest Airlines. Meanwhile, demand for short-term rentals in Southern Europe is softening during peak summer months, a trend analysts link to travelers adjusting plans to avoid extreme heat. Expedia Shows Strength in B2B, Advertising and International, Ups 2025 Guidance Summer Short-Term Rental Demand Slips in Southern Europe. Blame the Heat Hyatt’s Luxury Focus and Going Asset Light: ‘Everything Is For Sale’ Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ht