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News Blog

Middle East Tourism Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Levels Before Israel-Hamas War

The Middle East exceeded its pre-pandemic international tourist arrival numbers by over 20% through September this year, according to the UN World Tourism Organization's latest data. That's before the Israel-Hamas conflict started in early October. UNWTO accredited the Middle East's performance to new visa facilitation measures, the development of new destinations, new tourism-related projects and…

Dawit Habtemariam | 6 hours ago

Online Travel

Trip.com Signs Multiyear Deal with Amazon Web Services For AI Tools

This is one of the more significant announcements AWS made during a big news-making conference this week in Las Vegas.

Justin Dawes | 6 hours ago

News Blog

IDEAS: Qatar Airways Goes Organic with New Onboard Menu

Qatar Airways is introducing a range of new onboard menu items that have been sourced from organic farms in Qatar, in celebration of EXPO 2023 taking place in Doha. Expo 2023 Doha, which is running through March 2024, celebrates the theme of 'Green Desert, Better Environment,' and aims to promote sustainable innovations. Credit: Qatar Airways…

Adam Stacey | 7 hours ago

Airlines

American Airlines Will Install High-Speed Wi-Fi on Regional Jets

As part of an attempt to improve connectivity on smaller aircraft, American Airlines is installing high-speed Wi-Fi in its regional aircraft, which have long struggled with sluggish service.

Meghna Maharishi | 8 hours ago

News Blog

European Commission Proposes Enhanced Traveler Rights

The European Commission has proposed revisions that would bolster traveler rights and protections. Here are some highlights: Persons With Disabilities: If an airline requires they travel accompanied, the person accompanying them will fly with them free of charge. Travel Package Prepayments: Travelers will pay a maximum of 25% of the price of travel packages booked…

Dawit Habtemariam | 11 hours ago

News Blog

Amtrak Ridership Jumped a Quarter in Fiscal 2023, Fell Short of Full Recovery

Amtrak carried 28.6 million customers on train trips during its latest fiscal year. That number, while an improvement of nearly a quarter from 2022, fell short of its aim to match pre-pandemic ridership of 32.5 million trips. But even as overall numbers fell short of those four years ago, Amtrak said Thursday that the number…

Edward Russell | 11 hours ago

Skift Meetings

IBTM Asia Pacific Launches as Aussies and Kiwis Skip Out of IBTM World

In an industry where presence is everything, key destinations conspicuously duck out of IBTM World as parent company RX shifts its gaze to the tantalizing markets of Asia Pacific.

12 hours ago

Announcements

Our Most Popular Event: Skift Megatrends Is Back for an 11th Year

Megatrends, our annual forecast of the top travel industry trends, is back for another highly-anticipated program. Kick-start 2024 with unmatched thought leadership in New York City, London or Online.

Rafat Ali | 12 hours ago

Hotels

Hyatt’s Loyalty Program Expands Rare Perk: Sharing Status for a Day

Sharing is caring. But it can also drive viral marketing for a hotel loyalty program.

Sean O'Neill | 14 hours ago

Daily Lodging Report

Hilton Expands Its Curio Collection in Asia Pacific

Curio Collection by Hilton is recognizing a robust year of openings that have paved the way for the brand to reach its 150th opening milestone by the end of 2023.

15 hours ago

Hotels

Firm Behind MGM Macau To Build $1.2 Billion Resort in Dubai

The MGM Dubai is finally getting started again, being built by China State at one third of the cost of the competition's Wynn resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

Josh Corder | 15 hours ago