Skift Daily Travel Briefing
Everything you need to know about the business of travel today. Each episode covers new travel stories from Skift's editorial team. Listen to the latest developments at hotels, airlines, destinations, online booking sites, and more.Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET.For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
Latest episodes
Jul 3, 2025 • 4min
Airbnb’s Pay-Later Bet, Airline Cyberattacks and a $12.5B Air Traffic Overhaul
Airbnb is piloting a “Reserve Now, Pay Later” feature in the U.S. and Canada to help guests book stays without upfront payments, aiming to boost affordability while keeping hosts protected under existing cancellation policies. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate has advanced a budget bill allocating $12.5 billion to modernize air traffic control infrastructure, including consolidating radar and traffic control facilities, as part of broader reform efforts. Finally, Hawaiian Airlines, WestJet, and Qantas have reported cyberattacks ahead of the busy Fourth of July travel weekend, with the FBI attributing the incidents to the hacking group Scattered Spider.
Airbnb Tests 'Reserve Now, Pay Later'
Senate Bill Has $12.5 Billion for Air Traffic Reform: Here’s the Breakdown
Airlines Hit by Cyber Attacks: Here’s What to Know
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Jul 2, 2025 • 4min
Too-Hot Eiffel Tower, Brand USA Budget Anxieties and a Scrapped Climate Fee
A scorching heatwave has forced the Eiffel Tower to temporarily close its summit and led other European landmarks, like Brussels’ Atomium, to reduce hours, while several countries have issued heat-related travel advisories. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate narrowly passed a bill slashing Brand USA’s funding from $100 million to $20 million, putting the tourism organization at risk of downsizing amid an ongoing budget crisis. Lastly, Sweden has abolished its air travel tax, drawing praise from airlines that plan to expand operations in the country while seeking to improve their climate impact strategies.
Eiffel Tower Shuts As Extreme Heatwave Strikes Parts of Europe
Airlines Welcome the End of Sweden’s Aviation Climate Tax
Senate Votes to Slash Brand USA Funding, Faces Budget Crisis
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Jul 1, 2025 • 4min
Hyatt’s $2B Flip, Six Senses Shake-Up and Europe’s Heatwave Havoc
Hyatt announced it will sell the real estate portfolio of Playa Hotels & Resorts for $2 billion just weeks after acquiring it, aligning with its asset-light strategy while retaining management of the resorts for a net cost of $555 million. Neil Jacobs is stepping down as CEO of Six Senses after 13 years, during which he grew the brand globally and oversaw its acquisition by IHG. Meanwhile, European authorities have issued heat-related travel warnings amid a Mediterranean heat wave, with temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Spain and wildfires triggering evacuations.
Hyatt's $2 Billion Property Sale Will Slash Cost of Buying Playa
Six Senses CEO Steps Down After 13-Year Tenure
Europe Heat Wave: Tourist Death and Wildfires Spark Travel Warnings
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Jun 27, 2025 • 4min
One Clever Hotel Ad, A Resort Brand’s Climate Warning and Avoiding AI Hype
The Ritz-Carlton’s “Late Checkout” campaign, featuring Josh Hutcherson, won a Gold Lion at Cannes for its creative approach to luxury advertising, outperforming 181 other brands. Meanwhile, Iberostar warned that climate change is the greatest threat to its beachfront properties and called for increased investment in sustainable tourism efforts. At the Skift Data+AI Summit, travel investors emphasized the importance of solving real problems over AI hype and noted that future winners may emerge by building on earlier innovations in the sector.
Ritz-Carlton Ad Gamble Pays Off at Cannes Awards: 'Late Checkout' Takes Gold
3 Travel Startup Investors Warn Founders Not to Fall for AI Hype
'Climate Is Our Number One Risk': Iberostar Pushes for Tourism Sector Action
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Jun 26, 2025 • 4min
Italy's Overtourism Campaign, Trump’s Student Visa Rules and Ritz-Carlton's New Cruise Ship
Italy has launched the “99% of Italy” campaign to encourage tourists to explore lesser-known regions, addressing the issue of overtourism that sees 70% of international visitors concentrated in just 1% of the country. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department now requires student visa applicants to make their social media accounts public for screening as part of renewed interview procedures. Lastly, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is expanding its luxury cruise offerings with the debut of a new ship, Luminara, set to sail through the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions.
Visit Italy’s Message to Tourists: You’ve Only Seen 1%
State Department Asks Student Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public
Ritz‑Carlton to Launch Third Yacht as Hotel-Branded Cruise Race Heats Up
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Jun 25, 2025 • 4min
Spirit's JetBlue Complaint, Carnival's Splashy Marketing and Antarctica's Climate Risks
Spirit Airlines is urging U.S. regulators to block JetBlue and United’s proposed “Blue Sky” partnership, citing serious antitrust concerns similar to JetBlue’s past alliance with American Airlines. Carnival’s heavy marketing investments and private island offerings are driving strong booking growth and enabling premium pricing, according to its CEO. Meanwhile, social media–fueled tourism to Antarctica is booming, but scientists warn it’s contributing significantly to carbon emissions and environmental strain.
Spirit Airlines Urges U.S. to Reject JetBlue-United Partnership
Carnival's Marketing and Private Islands Sustain High Cruise Prices
The Climate Risks of Antarctica’s TikTok Tourism Rise
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Jun 24, 2025 • 4min
Gulf Airport Routing Challenges, Over-Heated Tourism and AI Travel Jobs
Airlines in the Gulf are under pressure as rising Middle East tensions force flight rerouting, disrupting the efficiency of major hubs like Dubai and causing delays and missed connections. Despite 2024 being the hottest year on record, most U.S. travelers are not significantly changing their travel plans due to climate-related risks, according to a Skift Research survey. Skift CEO Rafat Ali has also introduced the Skift AI Travel Tracker, a new series exploring future travel industry roles shaped by artificial intelligence.
Why Just 30 Minutes Can Strain the System: Middle East Airspace Crisis Hits Gulf Hubs
How Extreme Weather Is Shaping Travel Plans
Travel Industry’s AI Talent Wars Are Heating Up
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Jun 20, 2025 • 4min
Boeing’s Political Cash, Bhutan's Crypto Tourism and U.S. Flight Spending
Boeing has intensified its political influence efforts, distributing nearly $1 million through its PAC in early 2025 and maintaining a robust lobbying presence amid renewed scrutiny over its safety practices. Meanwhile, Bhutan has become the first country to roll out a nationwide cryptocurrency-based tourism payment system, allowing visitors to use over 100 cryptocurrencies for nearly all purchases via Binance Pay, with DK Bank converting funds to local currency. In the U.S., flight sales through traditional and corporate travel agencies have declined, but online travel agencies like Booking.com—which now outsells Expedia—have seen steady growth.
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Jun 19, 2025 • 4min
Brand USA's Challenges, Hotel Immigration Crackdown and Air India's Schedule Changes
Brand USA is facing a potential 80% federal funding cut amid a fragile international travel recovery, though CEO Fred Dixon remains cautiously optimistic and has launched a new campaign, “America the Beautiful,” to promote U.S. tourism. Meanwhile, U.S. hotels are bracing for stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which is worsening labor shortages, especially for resort properties dependent on seasonal immigrant workers. Finally, Air India is reducing international widebody flights by 15% through mid-July due to increased safety inspections, airspace closures, and route diversions linked to the Israel-Iran conflict.
Budget Cut Risks, Sluggish Travel: Brand USA CEO on Managing a Critical Moment
U.S. Hotels Brace for Immigration Crackdowns as Worker Shortage Looms
Air India Scales Back International Flights After Fatal Crash and Rising Regional Tensions
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Jun 18, 2025 • 4min
A Google Hotels Threat, JetBlue Cost Cutting and Dual-Brand Hotels
Google Hotels is facing increasing pressure from competitors like Expedia, Tripadvisor, and Trivago, partly due to changes from the EU's Digital Markets Act and the rise of Google's AI Overviews impacting search visibility. Hotel developers are embracing dual-brand properties to cut costs and boost profitability by sharing infrastructure and appealing to broader market segments, with major chains like Marriott and Hilton leading the trend. Meanwhile, JetBlue is cutting costs amid soft travel demand, with potential route reductions and hiring slowdowns as it struggles to break even this year.
Expedia Makes Gains as Google Hotels Is Increasingly 'Bruised'
Two Brands, One Roof: Why Dual-Brand Hotels Are on the Rise
JetBlue CEO Says Airline Unlikely to Break Even, Cost Cuts to Come
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