Skift Daily Travel Briefing

Episode NotesConcerns have grown in recent weeks about how a potential recession could impact travel. But while the travel industry isn’t recession-proof, it could be recession-resistant, reports Senior Research Analyst Pranavi Agarwal.There are signs of weakness. The Skift Travel 200 Stock Index is up only 3% since the start of the year, and travel executives have noted of a slowdown in demand on recent earnings calls. But Agarwal writes travel today could be a little more insulated than it has been in the past. Spending on travel is still discretionary, but it is more important to consumers than ever before. She cites travel’s emergence as a more fundamental need coming out of the pandemic as one reason the industry is recession-resistant.    Next, the U.S. hotel industry is bracing for widespread work stoppages as 40,000 hotel workers have contracts that have expired or will expire by year’s end, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill. More than 1,500 San Francisco hotel workers went on strike on Sunday, demanding improved pay and working conditions from Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt. Gwen Mills, president of labor union Unite Here, said the lapse in contracts has set the stage for more strikes across the hotel sector if issues remain unresolved. Finally, the Federal Aviation Administration has hit its air-traffic controller hiring goal for the fiscal 2024. But the agency is still dealing with a shortage that may last for years, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. The FAA had set a goal of hiring 1,800 air-traffic controllers, and the agency has beat that target. However, the FAA is still short roughly 3,000 air traffic controllers despite a hiring surge last year. In addition, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said he doesn’t expect the shortage to be resolved anytime soon. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesExpedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin said at the Skift Global Forum on Thursday that some of its brands took a hit during its recently completed tech migration, writes Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes.But the new CEO said Expedia, which was the least disrupted of its core brands, has done well, with growth in room nights of 20% in the second quarter.Now Gorin is focused on getting more customers for Vrbo. The tech migration could help as Vrbo and Expedia Group’s brands can share inventory more easily. The company has also been adding comparison shopping features and rebuilding its group trip planning feature, among other changes. Next, JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty acknowledged at the Skift Global Forum that she has faced numerous challenges nine months into her tenure, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. Geraghty said she doesn’t see any mergers in JetBlue’s future after the federal government blocked its acquisition of Spirit Airlines. JetBlue is expected to ground several of its aircraft this year due to issues with Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines, which Geraghty said has been frustrating for JetBlue. That number could increase in the next two years.  JetBlue announced on Thursday it would open its first-ever lounges at its New York and Boston hubs as part of its plan to attract more premium travelers. Geraghty maintained that JetBlue would remain a low-cost airline — just one with a premier segment. Finally, MGM Resorts is building its own “Dubai Sphere,” which it argues will be as compelling as the Las Vegas Sphere, writes Middle East Reporter Josh Corder.CEO Bill Hornbuckle said the company’s $2 billion project, which has been in flux since 2017, will include 300 seats with a mini showroom. While Dubai’s iteration wouldn’t be as big as the one in Las Vegas, Hornbuckle added the Emirati version would have all the typical features of a sphere. Original plans for the Dubai Sphere said it would be a part of an entertainment tower located in the center of a complex with three MGM Resorts brands. For more travel stories and deep dives into the latest trends, head to skift.com. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesAirbnb aims to focus on a lot more than short-term rentals. The company has plans to consistently launch new lines of business going forward, including those that may not be geared toward travel, writes Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes.CEO Brian Chesky said at the Skift Global Forum on Wednesday he anticipates launching two or three ventures annually that could eventually generate a billion dollars a year in revenue. He acknowledged not all of those ventures will be successful, but added now is the right time for the company to grow beyond the core business. Chesky also said that stays between 30 and 90 days could represent a huge area of growth for Airbnb, noting that online travel agencies wouldn’t likely provide travelers that opportunity.Next, Las Vegas officials believe the city needs to host more big sporting events to help maintain tourism growth, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam.  Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said at the Skift Global Forum the city aims to have a marquee event in the first or second quarter of each year in addition to the annual Formula 1 race. Las Vegas hosted the Super Bowl this February, which generated $1 billion in incremental economic impact. Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, said the city wouldn’t be the same if it stopped hosting large sporting events. Las Vegas is scheduled to host Wrestlemania and the College Football Playoff National Championship next year.Finally, Dubai is synonymous with luxury tourism. But the city is looking to rely less on its famous landmarks and celebrity campaigns in favor of what it considers a more authentic tourism experience, writes Middle East Reporter Josh Corder. Dubai Tourism CEO Issam Kazim said the city needed landmark projects and luxury hotels to attract tourists in the beginning. But he said Dubai Tourism is working to showcase the city’s residents and hidden gems, citing its arts and culture. For more travel stories and deep dives into the latest trends, head to skift.com. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesSkift Global Forum kicked off in New York City on Tuesday with big news in the U.S. travel industry. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma said U.S. travelers will have the option of renewing their passports online starting on Wednesday, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. Verma told Skift CEO Rafat Ali that the State Department believes half of passport renewals will be done online in the near future. However, Verma acknowledged that the online option wouldn’t necessarily be faster than the in-person process – but said that it would be a better customer experience. The State Department recently tested an online renewal process, which attracted 200,000 participants. Next, Booking Holdings’ short-term rental business is growing fast as it tries to compete with Airbnb, reports Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes.CEO Glenn Fogel told Executive Editor Dennis Schaal during Skift Global Forum that Booking Holdings is now selling two-thirds of the room nights for short-term rentals as Airbnb. Fogel added his company has grown its short-term rental business faster than Airbnb in 12 of the past 13 quarters.Booking Holdings has close to 8 million short-term rental listings worldwide, but only a small number of them are in the U.S. But Fogel said its lack of U.S. listings represent an opportunity for significant growth. Finally, Tripadvisor has informed its vacation rental guests and hosts that it will discontinue direct bookings on its platform, writes Executive Editor Dennis Schaal. Schaal reports that reservations with check-in dates on or after November 1 will be canceled, and guests will be entitled to a full refund. However, those cancellations don’t represent the end of vacation rentals for Tripadvisor. A Tripadvisor spokesperson told Skift the company will turn to third-party providers to accept vacation rental bookings, like it does with hotels.Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesThayer Ventures and Derive Ventures are teaming up to create Thayer Investment Partners, an investment platform the two VC firms believe will boost innovation in travel technology, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.The new platform aims to offer a full-service venture capital approach, with plans to invest in business-to-business and consumer startups. Thayer Investment Partners will consider startups in most destinations, with the exception of China, where it lacks expertise.  O’Neill notes the quasi-merger comes as the travel industry grapples with emerging opportunities in AI and the adoption of cloud-native technologies. Next, major U.S. airlines are optimistic they’ll see strong demand for Europe continue into next summer, but they’re facing headwinds in China. Patrick Quayle, United Airlines’ senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, discussed the carrier’s operations in China with Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.Quayle said restrictions on Western carriers flying over Russian airspace have created an unequal playing field for U.S. and European airlines. He noted that United can’t fly from Washington, D.C. or from New York to China because it would have to fly over Russia. Quayle added that while United has resumed service from Los Angeles to Shanghai, its scheduled flights to China are still below pre-pandemic levels. Finally, Columnist Colin Nagy argues that luxury hotels have, for too long, tolerated rude behavior from guests that ruins others’ experiences. He writes in his latest column that hotels need to crack down on guests’ bad behavior.Nagy cites the example of being disturbed last year in Tokyo by guests loudly discussing a TV show and showing each other videos on their phones. He writes that everyone’s self-awareness dropped during the pandemic, adding that public spaces have turned into private living rooms.Nagy calls on hotels to enforce standards that align with their ambiance, location and overall message. He notes that he was inspired by Hôtel du Cap, where its rules are prominently displayed on cards in guestrooms and dress codes are strictly enforced. Nagy says hotels and guests can work together to create standards for each property. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesGoogle Wallet will soon allow users to store a digital version of a U.S. passport, one of the app’s newest travel features, writes Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes.Google said on Thursday that the digital passport will work at select TSA checkpoints. The U.S. passport is the first one Google is adding to Wallet, an app the tech giant began rolling out in July 2022. Google also started enabling users to save select U.S. state IDs to Wallet last year.Dawes notes rival Apple has yet to enable users to store digital versions of their passports. Next, hotel workers in New York City are protesting a bill that would require hotels in the city to meet stricter regulations, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.Intro 991, the so-called “Safe Hotels Act,” would mandate hotels get a new “hotel license” to operate. Local labor unions support the bill because it would bar hotels from using subcontractors for core functions such as housekeeping, front desk and security. Roughly 700 hotels in New York City would be affected by the bill. Supporters of the Safe Hotels Act have argued the bill will improve safety for guests and workers as well as ensure better working conditions. But critics of the measure have said it could increase operational costs, potentially driving up room rates. Finally, Iceland’s Blue Lagoon has seen a rebound in guest bookings after repeated closures due to nearby volcanic activity, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam. Occupancy for September and October at the popular attraction is around 70%. That figure is in line with last year’s numbers, according to Siggi Thorsteinsson, an executive at Blue Lagoon. The geothermal spa had several closures between November 2023 and August 2024 due to earthquakes caused by volcanoes.  Although the Blue Lagoon hasn’t been damaged by eruptions or earthquakes, Habtemariam notes heavy news coverage of volcanic activity has given many potential visitors the impression the spa and Iceland in general may not be safe. The country only saw a 1% increase in foreign tourists coming by air between January and July from last year.   For more travel stories and deep dives into the latest trends, head to skift.com. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesA growing number of women are making waves in leadership positions throughout the travel industry, and Skift is featuring 25 of them in our inaugural list, Generation Next: The Women Shaping Travel’s Future. We’re showcasing disruptors and innovators poised to take the industry to new places.We’re highlighting executives such as Standard International CEO Amber Asher, who has helped take the brand global, and Amelia DuLuca, who is playing a leading role in Delta Air Lines’ sustainability efforts. Our list includes leaders in all sectors of the travel industry around the world, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa. Next, Airbnb has relaunched the application process for experiences sign-ups after a roughly year-and-a half pause, writes Executive Editor Dennis Schaal. Airbnb confirmed the relaunch after a LinkedIn user saw a prompt to host an experience. Schaal notes that experiences have been a passion project of CEO Brian Chesky for years. However, the company hasn’t established a successful product yet. The short-term rental giant halted experiences during the pandemic, restarted them later and then paused accepting new host applications for experiences around April 2023. Finally, a recently published report reveals Saudis are exploring their own country in bigger numbers while foreign visitors are spending large amounts of money, writes Middle East Reporter Josh Corder.A report by the International Monetary Fund said Saudis were largely responsible for the surge in visitor numbers. Domestic tourists represented about 75% of visits in the kingdom last year. Although the Saudi government doesn’t share how it defines a domestic tourist, the country’s tourism authority told Skift it partly involves tracking mobile phone signals to see when people cross land borders. Meanwhile, international travelers were the driving force behind the increase in tourism spending. Overseas visitors spent a little more than $37 billion last year — roughly $7 billion more than domestic travelers. For more travel stories and deep dives into the latest trends, head to skift.com. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesRome is considering introducing a reservation system to clamp down on overcrowding at Trevi Fountain, one of the world’s most popular attractions, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam.Rome’s Deputy Mayor of Tourism Alessandro Onorato wants to introduce a ticketing reservation system around the fountain to better manage the flow of visitors. Residents of the Italian capital would still be able to visit Trevi Fountain for free, but tourists would have to pay a two euro “symbolic fee.” Revenue would go toward stewards who would help protect the monument.  Rome’s Deputy Mayor of Tourism Alessandro Onorato wants to introduce a ticketing reservation system around the fountain to better manage the flow of visitors. Residents of the Italian capital would still be able to visit Trevi Fountain for free, but tourists would have to pay a two euro “symbolic fee.” Revenue would go toward stewards who would help protect the monument.  Next, Southwest Airlines chair Gary Kelly plans to step down from the company’s board following pressure from a major shareholder, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi and Airlines Editor Gordon Smith.Kelly will retire at the end of his term in 2025 following Southwest’s annual shareholder meeting. The news comes after Southwest’s board of directors met with Elliott Investment Management this week. Elliott, which has an 11% economic stake in the airline, has pushed for the resignations of Kelly and CEO Bob Jordan.The hedge fund has also called for other big changes at the struggling airline, including implementing baggage fees. Finally, Skift Research recently unveiled its State of Travel 2024 report, an in-depth look at the industry. Senior Research Analyst Varsha Arora examines three standout charts for a closer look. Arora notes a significant shift Skift Research has seen is the growing focus on experiences over material goods, which has boosted the demand for experiential travel. In addition, social media platforms are becoming an increasingly powerful tool not just for inspiration but for actual travel bookings. Skift Research found that 34% of travelers are very comfortable booking directly through social media platforms. Meanwhile, the appeal of travel loyalty programs is diminishing, especially among younger travelers. Producer/Presenter: Jose MarmolejosConnect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry. 

Episode NotesApple revealed more details on Monday about how it’s incorporating generative AI into its latest iPhones. Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes delves into how the new products could help travelers. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have been built with a dedicated camera button that can activate a tool to ask AI about visuals. Dawes notes the new iPhone can obtain information such as hours and ratings when pointed at a restaurant. In addition, the iPhone can save details about an event appearing on a flier to its calendar. However, Dawes reports a demo didn’t show whether the camera works for recognizing landmarks or translating text. Next, the Greek government has announced two new measures to combat overtourism, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said recently that cruise passengers that step foot on the islands Santorini and Mykonos would be charged around $20 during the peak summer season. Revenue from the cruise fee would be used to mitigate the impact of the increased traffic. In addition, Mitsotakis announced that new short-term rental leases will be banned in three of Athens’ central districts for at least a year. The prime minister added the government will expand the ban to more districts if the number of short-term rentals exceeds a certain figure. Finally, Viator has unveiled data revealing the most popular travel experiences. Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill provides information about Viator’s findings.The data showed a surge in interest in hands-on experiences, with bookings for photography tours, sports lessons and painting classes all registering a 50% year-over-year increase. In addition, nearly half of Viator’s top experiences involved open-air activities like kayaking and mountain biking.Viator also revealed that bookings to cities with cooler climates — in particular, Helsinki and Stockholm — are booming as well as those to popular Asian destinations, such as Beijing and Osaka.Producer/Presenter: Jose MarmolejosConnect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Episode NotesThe Department of Transportation officially launched a probe on Thursday into whether the loyalty programs of the four largest U.S. airlines are engaging in deceptive or noncompetitive practices, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sent a letter to American, Delta, United and Southwest requesting that they provide records about their loyalty programs. The department said its probe would focus on how frequent flyer programs are impacted by extra fees and hidden pricing as well as reduced competition and choice. The Transportation Department first announced last November it would investigate the fairness of loyalty programs. Next, Poland-based online travel agency group eSky is buying tour operator Thomas Cook for roughly $40 million. Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill provides takeaways from the deal.O’Neill notes eSky’s acquisition is part of its strategy to expand its package holiday business in Western Europe. ESky expects the deal to increase package sales by over $255 million next year. However, O’Neill adds eSky faces challenges in reviving a tarnished brand as Thomas Cook went bankrupt in 2019. Finally, Hyatt wants to own fewer properties, and executives say they have reached a goal of $2 billion in gross proceeds from selling real estate, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill. CEO Mark Hoplamazian said at a conference on Thursday that Hyatt will continue to selectively buy, renovate and sell properties to increase its brand portfolio. Since 2017, Hyatt has generated $5.6 billion in gross proceeds from asset sales. The company is also looking to make deals like its recent acquisition of hotel booking site Mr & Mrs Smith, which quickly added 700 hotels to Hyatt’s loyalty program and caters to Hyatt’s high-end clientele.