Airline Loyalty Probe, Thomas Cook Sale and Hyatt Property Deals
Today's podcast looks at a probe into U.S. airlines loyalty programs, a $40 million acquisition of Thomas Cook, and a step toward owning fewer properties for Hyatt.
Rashaad Jorden is Skift’s Associate Editor/Archivist. He often delves into topics that readers turn to Ask Skift, our AI answer engine, for information. Before finding his way to Skift, he bounced around the U.S., France, Japan and UK. He greatly misses the all-you-can-eat vegetarian curry at his favorite restaurant in Japan. He is also adept at running half-marathons and, despite living in New Jersey, rues the fact he doesn’t spend enough time on the Jersey Shore.
Travel’s Power Players, Hotel Growth Race and Expedia’s B2B Business
Today's podcast looks at the most influential people in the travel industry, who comes out on top of Marriott and Hilton's portfolio growth battle, and Expedia Group's defense of B2B.
Striking Hotel Workers, Southwest’s Activists and NZ’s Tourist Fees
Today's podcast looks at labor strikes at U.S. hotels, Southwest’s activist investors, and New Zealand’s new fees for tourists.
New Zealand to Triple Entry Fees
New Zealand's government doesn't think the increased entry fee will put off travelers, but it just made the country's ongoing efforts to make a full recovery from the pandemic a bit more difficult.
Billion Dollar Airport Upgrades, Qantas’ New Jets and Edinburgh’s Tourist Tax
Today's podcast looks at airports' tech tune-ups, Quantas' all-new aircraft, and Scotland's first tourist tax.
Short-Term Rental Arms Race, Saudi Tourism Push and Air France-KLM’s Next Move
Today's podcast looks at the new amenities arms race, the female-traveler friendly Saudi campaign, and the new shareholder at SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
Travel Innovators, Parks Vs. Overtourism and China’s Senior Travelers
Today's podcast looks at summer’s travel innovators, overtourism in U.S. national parks, and free-spending older Chinese tourists.
Labor Day Surge, Middle East Bump, and Amex GBT and AI
Today's podcast looks at a Labor Day travel boom, using AI to support business travel, and a surge in Middle East tourism.
Ask Skift: How Are Airlines Using AI?
It’s still early days, but most of the experiments with AI are focused on improving customer service and increasing the efficiency of flight operations.
The State of Travel: Hotels and Online Travel
The pandemic may be in the rearview mirror for hotels and online travel agencies, but the challenges for those sectors are far from over — especially with the threat of a recession still looming.