Skift

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. Lastly, new OAG data highlights Asia-Pacific’s dominance in both international and domestic air routes, with Hong Kong-Taipei and Jeju-Seoul Gimpo ranking as the busiest routes for 2024. Hilton is adopting a tailored regional approach to attract luxury hotel owners The Federal Trade Commission unveiled on Tuesday a rule banning so-called junk fees Data from aviation analytics firm OAG has revealed key trends in the airline industry Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagr

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 ambitious targets and strong industry resistance highlighting the challenges of going green in the aviation sector. Luxury travel brand Belmond is emphasizing experiences  How family-owned hotels are adding their own touches to luxury We examine sustainable aviation fuel 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/skif

Marriott is expanding into outdoor travel by acquiring Postcard Cabins and partnering with Trailborn, integrating them into its booking systems and loyalty program. Amadeus CEO Luis Maroto highlights the importance of continued investment and M&A opportunities to maintain relevance, particularly in modern airline retail technology like NDC. FAA chief Mike Whitaker announced his resignation, leaving challenges like air traffic modernization and Boeing oversight for the next administration. Story Links Marriott is acquiring Postcard Cabins Q&A with Amadeus CEO Luis Maroto FAA chief will step down before Trump takes office 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

Travel industry insiders anticipate that another Trump term could impact their business, though reactions range from neutral to positive – and personal concerns linger. New regulatory obstacles complicate the future of the FTC’s junk fee rule, and state-level actions are stepping in. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup plans may boost tourism but face ongoing human rights scrutiny, despite promising accommodations across five host cities. Story Links What the Trump administration could mean for the travel industry Will the Federal Trade Commission ever carry out their rule on junk fees? Saudi Arabia is getting ready to host the World Cup in 2034 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 Subscrib

Skift's annual Megatrends highlight key shifts in the travel industry. The rise of “quiet luxury” reflects affluent travelers' preference for personal and understated experiences, prompting owner-operated hotels to cater to this demand with curated stays. Meanwhile, hotels are enhancing their direct booking platforms with AI, predictive analytics, and immersive tools to compete with online travel agencies. Lastly, cool destinations like Norway and Greenland are gaining popularity, driven by social media and climate-conscious travelers, though sustainable infrastructure remains crucial. Story links: Hotels are playing catch-up Cool destinations in hot demand The rise of “quiet luxury” 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: 

Cruise lines are investing in private destinations to reduce overcrowding, ensure tailored port experiences, and mitigate regional instabilities, with major players like Royal Caribbean and Carnival planning expansions through 2027. In tourism, Skift CEO Rafat Ali highlights the oversimplification of local cuisines for travelers, suggesting farm-to-table initiatives and promoting authentic food experiences as solutions. Meanwhile, Hilton has reached 1,000 hotels in Asia Pacific, driven by booming domestic tourism in China and India and the rise of the middle class, with Southeast Asia showing significant growth potential. Story Links Cruise lines aren’t just looking for revenue sources on board What tourism means for food culture Hilton reached 1,000 hotels in Asia Pacific 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: htt

Skift highlights the rise of "Live Tourism," where major events like concerts and sports championships drive economic growth for destinations, benefiting local businesses and boosting travel demand. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines raises its revenue guidance for Q4, citing strong travel demand and efficiency measures. Lastly, a federal judge rejected Boeing's plea deal regarding the 737 Max crashes over diversity concerns, giving the company and the Justice Department 30 days to revise their agreement. Southwest is getting back on track A federal judge struck down Boeing’s plea deal Major events and experiences are driving tourism 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

Booking Holdings has laid off around 60 employees at Rocket Travel by Agoda to streamline operations, while reaffirming its overall business-to-business strategy. Meanwhile, U.S. Senators criticized airline executives over excessive fees, with executives defending practices like unbundling fares to make travel more accessible. Lastly, Hyatt is expanding its luxury and lifestyle portfolio by courting independent hotel owners, offering operational support while allowing them to maintain their unique identities. Booking Holdings has laid off around 60 employees Airline executives faced a grilling from U.S. Senators Hyatt is courting independent owners 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

Marriott is expanding its luxury property portfolio, with over 260 developments in the pipeline, to appeal to affluent millennials and Gen Z travelers who prioritize experiences over traditional luxury. Airbnb is growing its Airbnb-friendly Apartments program to the UK, despite modest participation in the U.S., aiming to unlock income opportunities for renters. Meanwhile, Amtrak reported record ridership in 2024 and plans significant network expansions, including a new Gulf Coast route, as it aims to double passenger numbers by 2040. 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 tech leaders are optimistic about the incoming Trump administration, expecting reduced AI regulation, potential federal privacy standards, and extended tax cuts to benefit startups, while the TSA reported record-breaking passenger screenings during Thanksgiving. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is leveraging cricket's popularity to attract Indian tourists as part of its broader strategy to increase international visitors. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry. Podcast written by Rashaad Jorden and produced by Skift.

Episode Notes Wyndham Hotels says it’s still seeing strong demand for leisure and business travel despite economic uncertainty, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill. CEO Geoff Ballotti said on Thursday that the company believes it won’t see a decline in leisure travel demand during the fourth quarter and throughout 2025. Ballotti added a continued drop in interest rates would help boost leisure travel.  Next, Southwest Airlines reported it’s seeing strong bookings for the holiday travel season and healthy demand, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.  Southwest also announced a truce with Elliott Investment Management, which had been pushing for changes at the airline. As part of the deal, it seems as though CEO Bob Jordan will remain in place. Maharishi reports that executives are upbeat on its new plan, which includes premium and assigned seating, red-eye flights, airline partnerships, and cutting capacity in underperforming areas.  Finally, tourists will no longer be allowed to book short-ter

Episode Notes Anthropic, a generative AI startup, has unveiled new tech that indicates how an AI-powered travel agent would look, writes Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes. Anthropic recently released three demonstrations of the tech, one of which was for making travel plans. A more advanced version of the tech could eliminate the friction of manually navigating options, comparing prices and making reservations. In addition, Dawes notes users might bypass online travel agencies like Booking.com to rely on AI to find the best deals on their behalf.  Hilton reported a record for room growth during the third quarter. But the company trimmed its annual room revenue forecast amid signs of softening domestic travel demand, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.  Hilton said on Wednesday it added 6,000 rooms to its portfolio in the third quarter — the highest quarterly room addition in its history. The company also opened 531 hotels during the same timeframe. However, Hilton also said it now expects its

Episode Notes NYC Tourism + Conventions, the city’s destination marketing organization, announced on Tuesday it named Julie Coker as its next president and CEO, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam.  Coker, who has held the same roles at the San Diego Tourism Authority since 2020, will assume her new position on December 9. She succeeds Fred Dixon, who served as NYC Tourism’s CEO for close to a decade before stepping down earlier this year to lead Brand USA Coker will take the helm as New York City’s tourism chief as the region prepares to welcome several major events, including the FIFA World Cup final in 2026.  Next, InterContinental Hotels Group had a strong third quarter in terms of hotel openings. But the company also saw a slowdown in revenue growth, reports Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.  IHG added 17,500 rooms across 98 hotels, more than doubling its growth pace from the same period in 2023. O’Neill notes that a lot of that growth came from a deal with the German hotel group Novum

Episode Notes The growth of U.S. vacation rental and short-term rental supply has been slowing down, a trend that will likely continue next year, reports Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.  Vacation rental and short-term rental supply in the U.S. has grown 10% in 2024 from last year, according to analytics firm Key Data. However, that’s down from 20% two years ago. Key Data said one factor for the supply deceleration is a shortage of housing.  Analysts at Truist Securities said that supply growth may continue to slow as some units become long-term rentals and migrant-focused corporate housing.  Next, Saudi Arabia is targeting Chinese travelers as part of its strategy to attract 150 million tourists by 2030, writes Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit. Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said in an interview with Skift that the kingdom believes it can attract 20-25% of the Chinese tourists who take mid-to-long-haul flights, often to Europe and the Middle East. It’s a “huge market,” he said, with an interest in trave

Episode Notes Uber has explored buying the Expedia Group, according to a report this week in the Financial Times. It’s all speculation at this point, but the deal, if it were to happen, would bring about the biggest shakeup the travel industry has seen in years. Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes answers 10 questions about it.  Dawes notes there are currently no active discussions between the two companies. But an acquisition would bring Uber closer to becoming a superapp, a single app with multiple services, including transport, social media and food delivery.     However, Dawes adds there would be many roadblocks standing in the way of any deal between Uber and Expedia.  Even if it was just a trial balloon, the news raises other possibilities: Expedia, a big brand with a depressed stock price, could attract other potential acquirers or activist investors.  Next, foreign visitor spending in Japan in the first nine months of 2024 topped the full-year record set last year, writes Asia Editor Peden Doma Bh

Episode Notes Hotel executives gathered at The Lodging Conference recently to discuss emerging trends in the industry. Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill listed five key takeaways from the event as executives look forward to 2025.    O’Neill notes hotel leaders are cautiously optimistic about the economic outlook for next year. Executives generally believe that the Fed’s recent interest rate cut will boost enthusiasm for U.S. hotel development in 2025. Luxury hotels will likely see a boom in guests as global wealth is projected to increase by about a third by 2027.  However, O’Neill writes attracting and retaining talented workers still remains a challenge in the hotel industry.   Next, Airbnb has officially launched an expanded co-host network designed to make it easier for hosts to manage their properties, reports Executive Editor Dennis Schaal.  Co-hosts would be able to manage lists, respond to reservation inquiries and message guests under the program. Airbnb has piloted an online service for several

Episode Notes Visit Florida launched a new campaign this week to inform tourists much of the state is ready to welcome visitors after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam. Visit Florida will share images and videos of destinations largely unaffected by the hurricanes via social media over the next two weeks. The tourism board has also recently launched social media campaigns with the messaging “Stronger Than the Storm” for in-state audiences and “Florida is Resilient” for domestic markets. Habtemariam reports that Visit Florida plans to survey destination marketing organizations across the state and determine when they will be ready to welcome visitors again.  Next, Sphere Entertainment has announced Abu Dhabi will be the location of its second development, writes Middle East Reporter Josh Corder.  Corder reports the new sphere, which is said to “echo the scale” of the original in Las Vegas, is a joint venture between Sphere Entertainment and officials in Abu Dhabi. T

Episode Notes Thousands of Barcelona residents took to the streets this past Sunday to demand the city stop hosting the America’s Cup sailing competition and other huge tourism events. It’s the latest of large-scale protests in Spain against mass tourism, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam. Habtemariam notes protestors burned a replica of the America’s Cup trophy at the end of the demonstration. The group, “No to the America’s Cup,” which organized the protest, alleges the city council and event organizers have misled the public about the number of visitors and economic benefits of the America’s Cup.  The group also argues the event would contribute to an increase in pollution and a surge in rents.  Next, roughly 5,000 hotel workers are on strike across the U.S., with recent walkouts occurring at hotels in Boston and Seattle, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.  More than 600 workers in Boston, including staff at the city’s largest hotel, joined strikes over the weekend. In addition,

Episode Notes United Airlines is adding eight new, off-the-beaten-path destinations to its summer 2025 schedule, betting that travelers will fly to less popular locations, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.  United’s new destinations for summer 2025 include the capitals of Mongolia, Senegal and Greenland. Maharishi notes many of its new destinations are in contrast to American and Delta, two carriers with summer schedules that typically revolve around more popular routes. However, United isn’t completely ignoring big-name destinations as it’s adding flights to Nice and Venice from Dulles International Airport.  Next, Disneyland guests are paying more for the theme park’s attractions after the Walt Disney Company increased ticket prices on Wednesday, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam.  Prices went up for most single-day tickets under Disney’s tier system, with some increasing by as much as 6.5%. Most of Disneyland’s multi-day ticket prices increased by roughly the same percentage. Habtem

Episode Notes Marriott has reached an agreement with 49 states and Washington, D.C., to pay $52 million to settle charges related to data security, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.  O’Neill notes the settlement with the states relates to a database security incident in 2018 in the guest reservations system of Starwood, a hotel group Marriott had just acquired.  And the Federal Trade Commission is requiring Marriott to put in place a new data security program following three breaches from 2014 to 2020 that affected over 300 million people worldwide. Next, 2025 might not be full of blockbuster activity for online travel agencies. The sector is projected to see more stock buybacks but not a lot of mergers and acquisitions, writes Executive Editor Dennis Schaal. A BTIG research report revealed that Airbnb, Booking Holdings and Expedia Group will likely generate between $15 billion and $16 billion in free cash flow next year. Those companies are expected to allot $13 billion of that amount to stock b