All Sectors

Airlines

U.S. Proposes Requiring Airlines to Disclose All Fees When Airfares First Displayed

The Biden Administration, under Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, is walking the talk on protecting airline consumers. Disclosing fees right off the bat is a significant move forward in passenger rights.

David Shepardson, Reuters | 11 hours ago

Airline Weekly

EasyJet Outlines Why a Shift to Net-Zero Emissions Will Make It More Competitive

Achieving net-zero aviation emissions doesn't have to make air travel more expensive, argues EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren. In fact, zero-carbon technology could make flying cheaper. Read how.

15 hours ago

Airlines

Sunwing Union Opposes Canadian Carrier’s Plans to Hire Foreign Pilots

The pilot shortage is prompting airlines to take steps that unions won't like.

Allison Lampert, Reuters | 2 days ago

Business Travel

Ennismore to Expand Its Hoxton Co-Work Concept to 12 More Hotel Brands

Lifestyle hotel fans will get to mix business with pleasure in a lot more locations in the future, as Ennismore's "Working From_" brand is earmarked for the rest of its global portfolio. It's very on brand with partner Accor too.

Matthew Parsons | 4 days ago

Business Travel

The Uneven, Unreliable Return of Business Travel

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at the return of business travel, tipping in hotels, and OYO’s probably IPO in 2023.

Rashaad Jorden | 7 days ago

Business Travel

In Search of Corporate Travel’s Elusive Recovery

Most industry forecasts point to an eventual recovery — even to the 2019 high of $1.4 trillion in annual spending — as business trips start to bounce back. But many underlying trends are emerging in a fragile global economy. How we travel, and for what purpose, is far from certain as we enter a new era of accountability.

Matthew Parsons | 1 week ago

Coronavirus

Asia’s Recovery Remains Unpredictable: New Skift Travel Health Index

While not fully recovered, travel is taking on recognizable and predictable patterns in most regions. Asia Pacific is the exception, where there are still major fluctuations in travel performance with every new announcement of loosening and tightening of pandemic-related restrictions.

Wouter Geerts | 2 weeks ago

Coronavirus

Assessing a Return of Chinese Outbound Travel: New Skift Travel Health Index

A back-of-the-envelope analysis shows that a return to pre-pandemic levels of Chinese international travel would pull many Asian countries close to or beyond full recovery. Now we just need to wait for Chinese borders to reopen ...

Wouter Geerts | 1 month ago

Coronavirus

Chinese Tourist Hotspot’s Covid Lockdown Strands 80,000 Travelers

The lockdown in the resort city Sanya could be a permanent blow to its tourism industry. Stranded tourists are threatening not to return due to the city government's chaotic handling of the crisis.

Martin Quin Pollard and Eduardo Baptista, Reuters | 2 months ago

Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships to Install Elon Musk’s SpaceX Internet

Starlink's expansion is one significant step for SpaceX, and hopefully a giant leap for Royal Caribbean Group passengers.

Praveen Paramasivam and Eva Mathews, Reuters | 4 weeks ago

Cruises

Royal Caribbean’s Rebound Continues as Passengers Splurge on the Extras

Royal Caribbean's prediction that inflation wouldn't be an obstacle to its rebound has proven right so far. With the recent end of the CDC's cruise ship Covid tracker, the future looks much brighter for Royal Caribbean's rebound after a rough two years.

Praveen Paramasivam and Doyinsola Oladipo, Reuters | 2 months ago

Cruises

U.S. Cruise Lines Recovery Threatened by Worsening Labor Shortage

Cruise lines have faced one hurdle after another in their quest to make a full recovery. But the labor shortage just might be the most difficult to overcome because there's no end in sight.

Praveen Paramasivam, Reuters | 2 months ago

Hotels

Hotels Crank Up TikTok Marketing in Pursuit of Authenticity-Seeking Guests

Well-done short-form videos create a feeling of authenticity. No wonder savvy independent hotel brands are using the social media app TikTok to offer casual, energizing peeks at their properties.

Carley Thornell, Skift | 15 hours ago

Hotels

Independent Hotels Tap Social Media to Drive Direct Bookings

Independent hoteliers don't have a level playing field with the big brands when it comes to attracting direct bookings. But a savvy use of social media can improve things a lot.

Sean O'Neill | 1 day ago

Hotels

Wyndham Debuts Digital Tipping of Housekeepers Via Mobile App

A mobile tipping solution is a trend we welcome. Who carries small amounts of cash anymore? Plus, news in hotel deals and development worldwide.

Sean O'Neill | 4 days ago

Skift Meetings

Inside Skift Global Forum 2022

It is only natural that a company like Skift has a dynamic event that reflects its brand ethos. 

19 hours ago

Skift Meetings

Connection at Meetings and Events a Focus of Skift Global Forum

According to industry experts featured at Skift Global Forum, groups will meet in more second and third-tier cities with the main goal being to connect.

5 days ago

Skift Meetings

The Macroeconomic Trends Impacting Meetings and Events Today

Inflation and supply chain issues are nagging not only the meetings industry but travel in general, but optimism still reigns supreme.

6 days ago

Airline Weekly

Air France-KLM and Delta Emerge Victors in Italy

European consolidation got a leg up last week, but not in the way many expected: Italian authorities named the offer from private equity firm Certares with Air France-KLM and Delta as their preferred bidder for ITA Airways instead of frontrunner the Lufthansa Group.

3 weeks ago

Airline Weekly

European Airline Consolidation

Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss Lufthansa's history of acquisitions and expansion, and what a potential ITA Airways deal could mean for the group.

1 month ago

Mergers and Acquisitions

Heathrow Owner Ferrovial Eyes Sale of Its 25 Percent Stake in Airport

Reportedly unhappy with the airport's passenger caps, this could mark the end of a 16-year investment relationship.

Isla Binnie, Reuters | 2 months ago

Online Travel

Full Video: Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern at Skift Global Forum 2022

This is your chance to watch Peter Kern, Expedia Group's CEO, share his views on stage with Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali — no stone left unturned exploring the current state of online travel.

Matthew Parsons | 16 hours ago

Online Travel

Trip.com Group’s Europe and U.S. Business Now Playing Larger Role in Performance

Geographic diversification is paying off for China's Trip.com Group. Europe and the U.S. is still a fraction of its overall business, but they are now significant contributors.

Dennis Schaal | 4 days ago

Online Travel

Expedia CEO Sees Plenty of Room Left for Growth in Online Travel

Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern is correct that there is a whole big world out there with lots of opportunities for online travel companies to grow. Don't count out Expedia prematurely.

Dennis Schaal | 5 days ago

Overtourism

Berlin Locals Weigh in on Tourists

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Berlin’s use of local consultation, ITA Airlines’ likely new owner, and what Google says about cheap flights.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 weeks ago

Overtourism

Tourist Destinations Face Dilemma Switching From Quantity to ‘Quality’ Visitor Strategies

In the pursuit of higher quality tourists, destinations need to make sure they maintain a diversity of tourists and local businesses.

Dawit Habtemariam | 4 weeks ago

Overtourism

The Business Advantage of Sustainability in the Travel Industry

Jose Marmolejos | 3 months ago

Rail

Google Streamlines Search for Train Trips in Europe

Google made it easier to find train routes and booking options in Europe. Like it did for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, and things to do, the new feature improves Google's standing in the rail sector.

Dennis Schaal | 7 days ago

Rail

Amtrak to Cancel All Long-Distance Trains Over Possible Freight Rail Strike

The potential freight rail work stoppage isn't just disrupting Amtrak, with several commuter train systems already announcing the uncertainty is forcing them to cut service.

David Shepardson, Reuters | 2 weeks ago

Airline Weekly

New Star Alliance-Deutsche Bahn Partnership May Face Hurdles Shifting Flyers to Trains

The airline industry is increasingly looking at non-flight options to get travelers to their destination. But a new partnership between Star Alliance and Deutsche Bahn appears more lip service than a serious push to get flyers onto trains.

3 months ago

Rental Cars

Hertz Places Order for 175,000 Electric Vehicles from General Motors

Hertz is putting electric cars front and center, but unlike similar deals with Tesla and Polestar, this adds a wider range of models to the mix that should accelerate demand.

David Shepardson, Reuters | 7 days ago

Rental Cars

Hertz Struggles in Corporate Travel But Is Encouraged by ‘Short-Burst’ Trip Trend

The impact of the strict and extended inbound Covid testing policy in the U.S. shouldn't be underestimated, especially when it comes to larger business customers. The ripple effect is evident in Hertz's latest results.

Matthew Parsons | 2 months ago

Rental Cars

New Hertz CEO Will Be Ex-Goldman Sachs Finance Chief Stephen Scherr

Hertz's next CEO has his work cut out for him in remaking the company. The car rental firm's transformation plan sounds good on paper, but it will be up to Stephen Scherr to turn vision into reality.

Dennis Schaal | 8 months ago

Short-Term Rentals

Full Video: Airbnb CEO at Skift Global Forum 2022

Don't miss Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky in one of his most comprehensive sit-downs ever, on stage at Skift Global Forum with Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali. Watch as he talks about why the future of travel may be potatoes (joke) and why performance marketing is like a drug (no joke).

Tom Lowry | 2 days ago

Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb CEO Vows to Bring New Focus to Experiences

Airbnb's Brian Chesky may be over-estimating how many people will work from home in the future "glued" to their laptop screens. But the world has changed — for sure — and travel patterns have been altered as well, with new demand for experiences.

Dennis Schaal | 5 days ago

Short-Term Rentals

JetBlue Technology Ventures Joins Property Manager Frontdesk’s $13 Million Financing Round

JetBlue's corporate venture capital wing has already picked some winners in the short-term rental sector. That's some progressive thinking for an airline, and Frontdesk wouldn't mind bolstering that record.

Dennis Schaal | 2 weeks ago

Startups

Steve Case’s Road Trips Across America Reveal the Promise of Startups for Cities

AOL co-founder Steve Case never lost his passion for startups. His new book reminds us that innovation can thrive anywhere in America outside of New York and Silicon Valley and help reimagine U.S. cities big and small. Take note, travel industry.

Tom Lowry | 3 hours ago

Startups

Airline Software Startup Flyr Buys Pace Revenue to Expand Into Serving Hotels

It's unexpected that Flyr would go after the hospitality business, given that it still has a lot of airlines yet to win over to its revenue management services. But this acquisition is a sign of how all verticals in travel will be impacted by techniques for running operations based on data science.

Sean O'Neill | 7 days ago

Hotels

6 Lessons for Building Robust Travel Subscription Models: New Skift Research

Subscriptions are ubiquitous in nearly every industry other than travel. Why the disconnect? The time is right for building paid travel subscriptions, powered by shifts in traveler priorities and work-life flexibility. Learn how to build travel memberships by analyzing three innovative case studies in this latest research report.

Seth Borko, Skift Research | 3 months ago

Tour Operators

Airbnb Returns to Experiences

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Airbnb’s reinvigorated experiences, Potato Head’s sustainability, and Ukraine’s resilience.

Rashaad Jorden | 5 days ago

Tour Operators

Intrepid Bets on Australian Expansion

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Intrepid’s latest acquisition, a hostel takeover in New York, and Tijuana’s aviation edge.

Rashaad Jorden | 2 weeks ago

Tour Operators

Intrepid Travel Makes Bigger Bet on Australian Tourism by Buying JOOB

Intrepid Travel expanding the scope of its Australia trips is a way-overdue step for a company that has failed to fully take advantage of one its most lucrative markets.

Rashaad Jorden | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

U.S. Tourists to the UK Cheer the Pound’s Slide But Londoners Find Little Cheer in Economy

With apologies to Dickens, but a tale of two cities is playing out in London right now. And the tourists are on the brighter side of that story.

Muvija M and Aiden Nulty, Reuters | 14 hours ago

Tourism

Hong Kong’s Partial Tourism Re-Opening

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Hong Kong’s quarantine relaxation, Trip.com Group’s earnings, and the touristic pull of summer music festivals.

Rashaad Jorden | 22 hours ago

Tourism

Return of Music Festivals Boosts Tourism Recovery

Music lovers have returned to festivals with a vengeance, but they've also become pickier and more environmentally conscious. So tourism authorities have to adapt to their new priorities.

Paula Krizanovic, Skift | 4 days ago

Online Travel

Bookaway Acquires Argentinian Company to Speed Up Digitizing Ground Transport Bookings

Bookaway Group has acquired one of the most widely used transport management systems in Latin America, which will offer customers a whole new level of ease when arranging travel plans.

Sonia Menken | 2 months ago

Tour Operators

U.S. National Parks Reservation Requirements May Deter Global Tourists

Limited booking windows for American national parks made sense amid the surging number of domestic visitors. With the resumption of international travel, the customer base has now changed. U.S. national parks may have to rethink their new reservation systems moving forward.

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 months ago

Travel Booking

Daily Podcast: Hopper’s Hotel Fintech Treat

Good morning from Skift. It's Wednesday, June 8, in New York City. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 months ago

Travel Technology

Road Tripping in an Electric Car and Other Top Stories This Week

In Skift's top stories this week, Senior Engineering Manager Mike Linden documents what he learned about electric cars from a summer road trip, JetBlue plans more international flights, and Google makes searching train routes in Europe easier.

Rashaad Jorden | 3 days ago

Travel Technology

Traveloka, RedDoorz Share New Mobile-First Aspirations for Southeast Asia

The opportunity that Southeast Asia presents for the travel industry is boundless. Time to capitalize on it.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 6 days ago

Travel Technology

What I Learned About the Future of Electric Cars on My Family’s Summer Road Trip

We drove 2,400 miles and juiced up at 14 charging stations in August on a round-trip journey from New Jersey to Florida, and back. Our experience and my diary of that trip hopefully serves as a playbook for the companies that are still innovating for this still-nascent way to travel.

Mike Linden | 1 week ago

Venture Capital

Data Firm Journera Raises Another $10 Million: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Closely watched travel-data startup Journera raises another $10 million from big-name venture firms — and claims it can be profitable by next year. In a very different deal, an Alaskan airline is raising money online to fund expansion to Asia. Will it work? Since no major airline has tried it, it's hard to say.

Skift | 4 months ago

Startups

Swiss Travel Startup Chain4Travel Raises $4.5 Million for Blockchain

Chain4Travel raised money to promote blockchain-based travel sales, but the track record of success is short and the technology's comparative advantage over what travel agencies use now remains to be proven.

Skift | 4 months ago

Startups

Why European Investing Giant Kinnevik Is Betting on Travel Startups

Even though Kinnevik is Europe's largest publicly listed startup investor, it has only recently begun to take stakes in travel startups. What it looks for in companies tells a broader story of how investors generally view the sector.

Sean O'Neill | 5 months ago