Articles tagged “skift research”

Profitability, not demand, is now the key metric for investors tracking the U.S. hotel sector.

We don’t believe that talent is a topic that should be confined to meetings with HR or recruiters. We believe that talent is a board-level conversation and deserves to be treated as such. Hiring, training, and retaining top talent should be a core focus of every travel leader, everywhere. ​

Despite strong demand and hiring momentum, travel is stuck in a cycle of churn — with pay gaps, skills shortages, and weak career pathways making talent the sector’s biggest growth challenge.

The global cruise industry generated $71 billion in revenues in 2024 and is projected for strong growth, with a forecasted growth rate of 5% year-on-year, to reach $78 billion by 2026.

The July 2025 Skift Travel Health Index shows the global travel industry remains resilient with a 1% growth. A key trend is the sustained strength of premium and business travel, which continues to grow and drive revenue despite broader economic uncertainties.

The hotel technology sector is shifting from cost center to growth engine, with AI, data integration, and guest-facing tools driving efficiency and revenue, but success hinges on modernized systems, cultural readiness, and proactive risk management

For today’s airlines, technology isn’t just a differentiator — it’s a competitive advantage. Passenger-facing innovations are now standard and delivering significant returns.

The most dominant players have kept their lead, but regional leaders like Trip.com and MakeMyTrip are increasingly challenging global incumbents.

Don't panic and start discounting just yet. Travelers may be booking later in the process, but are showing a willingness to pay higher rates closer to arrival.

This chartbook offers a snapshot of the evolving online travel landscape, with an analysis of the top 10 largest publicly traded online travel agencies.