

Good Morning Hospitality
Skift
The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast will bring you the top news and topics from industry experts in different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes two thirty-minute weekly episodes, starting Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST
This podcast is a part of Skift. Go to Skift.com to hear and see more industry-leading content!
This podcast is a part of Skift. Go to Skift.com to hear and see more industry-leading content!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 26, 2025 • 45min
Hopper Heads to Capital One, Apple & Delta Tracking, CitizenM’s Big Loan
On this episode of GMH Hotels, Wil Slickers and Sarah Dandashy are joined by guest-host Dennis Schaal, Founding Editor at Skift, for an exclusive 10-minute segment on the newly announced deal: Capital One’s planned acquisition of Hopper. They’ll dive into the implications for hotel tech, travel finance, and how key engineering and hotel talent will shift with the deal.
Then, Sarah and Wil break down two other major developments reshaping hospitality: First, the partnership between Apple and Delta Air Lines to extend bag-tracking and item-location services across travel, offering new guest-experience opportunities.
Next, they explore how citizenM hotels CEO is positioning the brand after securing a $685 million loan post-sale by Marriott International, signaling what’s next for one of the fastest-growing lifestyle hotel players.
Tune in for a mix of tech, finance, and brand strategy signals that suggest hospitality is entering a new phase of consolidation, guest empowerment, and capital repositioning.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Wil Slickers - LinkedIn
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.

Nov 24, 2025 • 34min
Google’s AI Booking Move and World Cup Demand Signals for STRs
The hosts discuss Google's innovative AI travel planning system, which can create full itineraries without fully transitioning to an OTA. They analyze the implications for hotels and short-term rentals in a competitive landscape. Exciting data on World Cup demand shows promising trends in booking rates and occupancy spikes, particularly in urban markets like Seattle. As operators prepare for the 2026 event, regulatory challenges and expected increases in supply are also on the table. Quick updates on recent fundraises add to the dynamic discussion.

Nov 19, 2025 • 33min
GMH Hotels: Loyalty Reset, Talent Crunch, Travel AI & That Outrageous Travel Story
Explore Hilton's exciting loyalty program overhaul that promises to shake up traveler status. Dive into the talent crisis gripping the hotel industry as Hilton and Marriott strategize to attract workers. Discover how the U.S. is fast-tracking visas in anticipation of the World Cup, impacting travel demands. Plus, hear about Google's innovative AI for effortless travel bookings. And don’t miss the wild tales of a drunken pig and a hefty 300-pound passenger pig that will leave you in stitches!

Nov 17, 2025 • 32min
Airbnb/Expedia Earnings & Discount-Driven Growth
Today on Good Morning Hospitality, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane break down the latest earnings results from Airbnb and Expedia Group.
A quarter defined by discounting, flexible payment options, and a surge in “reserve now, pay later” bookings.
They examine how these strategies helped drive strong performance for both platforms and raise the big question hanging over the industry: Is this level of demand sustainable once the promotional fuel burns off?
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn
Jamie Lane – LinkedIn
Michael Goldin – LinkedIn
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.

Nov 12, 2025 • 34min
GMH Hotels: Accor’s Luxury Bet, AI Kitchens, Expedia’s B2B Power & Grounded
This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk explore four stories that capture the shifting landscape of hospitality and travel.
They begin with Accor’s newest luxury soft brand, created to attract independent hotel owners seeking the reach of a global chain while maintaining local character.
Next, they look at how hotels are turning to AI tools and smaller-plate strategies to cut food waste and reduce emissions — proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
Sarah and Steve then dive into Expedia Group’s growing B2B momentum as its consumer business steadies, a strategic pivot that’s redefining how hotels leverage partnerships and distribution. Finally, they discuss how ongoing air travel disruptions are driving a surge in rail and bus bookings, reshaping traveler habits, and opening new opportunities for hotels near secondary markets and transport hubs.
From brand expansion and AI innovation to distribution power plays and multimodal demand, this episode covers the full scope of where hospitality is headed next.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Steve Turk – LinkedIn
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.

Nov 10, 2025 • 36min
Marriott Ends Deal With Sonder Before Company Shuts Down
Update: This episode was recorded just an hour before Sonder published its official notice of shutting down operations. Read more here.
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, and Brandreth Canaley are joined by Skift Senior Hospitality Reporter Sean O'Neill to unpack the breaking story of Marriott Bonvoy ending its licensing agreement with Sonder Inc. after the company defaulted on the deal.
The partnership had been a much-needed lifeline for Sonder, allowing its apartment-style properties to be listed across Marriott’s booking channels. But with the agreement now terminated, and Sonder’s own website currently showing zero available listings, the situation is raising questions about the company’s operations, liquidity, and future as a public brand.
Marriott has said it’s assisting guests with existing bookings made through its platforms, while those who booked via third parties should contact their providers directly.
As this story continues to develop, Sean shares what’s known so far, and the GMH crew digs into what this could signal for Marriott’s extended-stay ambitions, Sonder’s next move (if any at all), and how confidence in hotel–tech partnerships may shift in the days/weeks ahead.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn
Wil Slickers – LinkedIn
Michael Goldin – LinkedIn
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.

Nov 5, 2025 • 38min
GMH Hotels: Shutdown Impact, Marriott’s 2026 Outlook & Soil Carbon Credits
This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk are joined by Skift Airlines Reporter, Meghna Maharishi, to kick off the show with updates on how the government shutdown has impacted the airline industry and what ripple effects it’s had on Marriott’s business performance.
After Meghna’s segment, Sarah and Steve dive into Marriott International’s 2026 outlook, unpacking the company’s plans for new credit card partnerships, expected gains from the World Cup, and continued strength in the luxury segment.
They also discuss the latest corporate layoffs at American Airlines and explore how hotels and travel companies are turning to soil carbon credits as part of their sustainability strategies. From shutdowns and staffing to carbon markets and brand growth, this episode offers a grounded look at the forces shaping hospitality right now.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Steve Turk – LinkedIn
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.

Nov 3, 2025 • 35min
Has Airbnb Peaked? All-Inclusive Boom & Vrbo’s ‘Loved by Guests’ Push
This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Michael Goldin unpack three big stories shaping travel.
Has Airbnb hit its ceiling as growth slows and regulations tighten? Why are luxury all-inclusives becoming the go-to for high-end travelers? And how is Vrbo’s new “Loved by Guests” program using trust and transparency to win over travelers?
From platforms to guest experience, the GMH crew breaks down what these shifts reveal about where hospitality is headed next.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn
Jamie Lane – LinkedIn
Michael Goldin – LinkedIn
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.

Oct 29, 2025 • 32min
GMH Hotels: Bar-First Hotels, Domestic First Class & the New Playbook for Hotel Growth
In this episode of GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk tackle the latest strategic moves re-shaping travel and hospitality. We start with how Death & Co. is disrupting hotel design by introducing a bar-first hotel brand that fuses nightlife and stay experiences.
Next, we examine why airlines are moving to premium, with JetBlue announcing a domestic first-class cabin in 2026 and what that signals for hospitality brands in guest segmentation and experience.
Then, we dive into how Mews is acquiring an AI firm to simplify hotel data usage and streamline operations.
We also review how IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its soft brand strategy amid its strongest-ever pipeline, and what it means when Accor confirms a potential IPO for its lifestyle division Ennismore.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Steve Turk – LinkedIn
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.

Oct 27, 2025 • 31min
AI Agents Rise, Airbnb Gets Social, and Travel Feels the Shutdown
This morning on Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane explore three major forces reshaping travel and hospitality.
First, they examine how the rise of agentic AI could transform OTAs into passive order-takers. Next, they dive into the new social-features rollout on Airbnb Experiences that aim to deepen guest-to-guest connection and engagement.
Finally, with the U.S. federal hiring freeze entering day 27 of the shutdown, Jamie brings data and insight on how this continues to ripple through airports, national parks, and hotel-adjacent services.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts:
Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn
Jamie Lane – LinkedIn
Michael Goldin – LinkedIn
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.


