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Hilton has opened the first property from its new extended-stay hotel brand, LivSmart Studios, targeting long-term guests like relocating families and workers. Virgin Atlantic is partnering with Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi and other digital amenities onboard, starting installations in 2026. Meanwhile, the TSA will no longer require most passengers to remove shoes at security checkpoints due to improved screening technology, although exceptions and benefits for PreCheck travelers remain. DHS Confirms New Airport Screening Policy — Shoes Stay On Hilton Opens First Hotel Under New Brand for Traveling Workers Virgin Atlantic to Be First UK Airline to Install Elon Musk’s Starlink 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.th

Hyatt is expanding its all-inclusive resort business globally, targeting regions like Europe, North Africa, and Asia, while maintaining an “asset-light” strategy to reduce capital demands. Meanwhile, the TSA is trialing a policy at select U.S. airports that allows travelers to keep their shoes on, as part of broader efforts to streamline security screening with new technologies. Activist investor Starboard Value has acquired a 9% stake in Tripadvisor and may pressure the company to sell off brands like Viator and TheFork to increase shareholder value and simplify its structure for potential acquisition. Inside Hyatt’s All-Inclusive Bet: 9 Brands, Billions Spent TSA to Let Some Passengers Keep Their Shoes On at Security What's Next for Tripadvisor Now That it Has an Activist Investor? Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠

Airbnb is piloting a “Reserve Now, Pay Later” feature in the U.S. and Canada to help guests book stays without upfront payments, aiming to boost affordability while keeping hosts protected under existing cancellation policies. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate has advanced a budget bill allocating $12.5 billion to modernize air traffic control infrastructure, including consolidating radar and traffic control facilities, as part of broader reform efforts. Finally, Hawaiian Airlines, WestJet, and Qantas have reported cyberattacks ahead of the busy Fourth of July travel weekend, with the FBI attributing the incidents to the hacking group Scattered Spider. Airbnb Tests 'Reserve Now, Pay Later' Senate Bill Has $12.5 Billion for Air Traffic Reform: Here’s the Breakdown Airlines Hit by Cyber Attacks: Here’s What to Know Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skift

A scorching heatwave has forced the Eiffel Tower to temporarily close its summit and led other European landmarks, like Brussels’ Atomium, to reduce hours, while several countries have issued heat-related travel advisories. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate narrowly passed a bill slashing Brand USA’s funding from $100 million to $20 million, putting the tourism organization at risk of downsizing amid an ongoing budget crisis. Lastly, Sweden has abolished its air travel tax, drawing praise from airlines that plan to expand operations in the country while seeking to improve their climate impact strategies. Eiffel Tower Shuts As Extreme Heatwave Strikes Parts of Europe Airlines Welcome the End of Sweden’s Aviation Climate Tax Senate Votes to Slash Brand USA Funding, Faces Budget Crisis Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.insta

Hyatt announced it will sell the real estate portfolio of Playa Hotels & Resorts for $2 billion just weeks after acquiring it, aligning with its asset-light strategy while retaining management of the resorts for a net cost of $555 million. Neil Jacobs is stepping down as CEO of Six Senses after 13 years, during which he grew the brand globally and oversaw its acquisition by IHG. Meanwhile, European authorities have issued heat-related travel warnings amid a Mediterranean heat wave, with temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Spain and wildfires triggering evacuations. Hyatt's $2 Billion Property Sale Will Slash Cost of Buying Playa Six Senses CEO Steps Down After 13-Year Tenure Europe Heat Wave: Tourist Death and Wildfires Spark Travel Warnings  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/ ⁠

The Ritz-Carlton’s “Late Checkout” campaign, featuring Josh Hutcherson, won a Gold Lion at Cannes for its creative approach to luxury advertising, outperforming 181 other brands. Meanwhile, Iberostar warned that climate change is the greatest threat to its beachfront properties and called for increased investment in sustainable tourism efforts. At the Skift Data+AI Summit, travel investors emphasized the importance of solving real problems over AI hype and noted that future winners may emerge by building on earlier innovations in the sector. Ritz-Carlton Ad Gamble Pays Off at Cannes Awards: 'Late Checkout' Takes Gold 3 Travel Startup Investors Warn Founders Not to Fall for AI Hype 'Climate Is Our Number One Risk': Iberostar Pushes for Tourism Sector Action Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.thre

Italy has launched the “99% of Italy” campaign to encourage tourists to explore lesser-known regions, addressing the issue of overtourism that sees 70% of international visitors concentrated in just 1% of the country. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department now requires student visa applicants to make their social media accounts public for screening as part of renewed interview procedures. Lastly, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is expanding its luxury cruise offerings with the debut of a new ship, Luminara, set to sail through the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions. Visit Italy’s Message to Tourists: You’ve Only Seen 1% State Department Asks Student Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public Ritz‑Carlton to Launch Third Yacht as Hotel-Branded Cruise Race Heats Up Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/

Spirit Airlines is urging U.S. regulators to block JetBlue and United’s proposed “Blue Sky” partnership, citing serious antitrust concerns similar to JetBlue’s past alliance with American Airlines. Carnival’s heavy marketing investments and private island offerings are driving strong booking growth and enabling premium pricing, according to its CEO. Meanwhile, social media–fueled tourism to Antarctica is booming, but scientists warn it’s contributing significantly to carbon emissions and environmental strain. Spirit Airlines Urges U.S. to Reject JetBlue-United Partnership Carnival's Marketing and Private Islands Sustain High Cruise Prices The Climate Risks of Antarctica’s TikTok Tourism Rise Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Airlines in the Gulf are under pressure as rising Middle East tensions force flight rerouting, disrupting the efficiency of major hubs like Dubai and causing delays and missed connections. Despite 2024 being the hottest year on record, most U.S. travelers are not significantly changing their travel plans due to climate-related risks, according to a Skift Research survey. Skift CEO Rafat Ali has also introduced the Skift AI Travel Tracker, a new series exploring future travel industry roles shaped by artificial intelligence. Why Just 30 Minutes Can Strain the System: Middle East Airspace Crisis Hits Gulf Hubs How Extreme Weather Is Shaping Travel Plans Travel Industry’s AI Talent Wars Are Heating Up Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Boeing has intensified its political influence efforts, distributing nearly $1 million through its PAC in early 2025 and maintaining a robust lobbying presence amid renewed scrutiny over its safety practices. Meanwhile, Bhutan has become the first country to roll out a nationwide cryptocurrency-based tourism payment system, allowing visitors to use over 100 cryptocurrencies for nearly all purchases via Binance Pay, with DK Bank converting funds to local currency. In the U.S., flight sales through traditional and corporate travel agencies have declined, but online travel agencies like Booking.com—which now outsells Expedia—have seen steady growth. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand USA is facing a potential 80% federal funding cut amid a fragile international travel recovery, though CEO Fred Dixon remains cautiously optimistic and has launched a new campaign, “America the Beautiful,” to promote U.S. tourism. Meanwhile, U.S. hotels are bracing for stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which is worsening labor shortages, especially for resort properties dependent on seasonal immigrant workers. Finally, Air India is reducing international widebody flights by 15% through mid-July due to increased safety inspections, airspace closures, and route diversions linked to the Israel-Iran conflict. Budget Cut Risks, Sluggish Travel: Brand USA CEO on Managing a Critical Moment U.S. Hotels Brace for Immigration Crackdowns as Worker Shortage Looms Air India Scales Back International Flights After Fatal Crash and Rising Regional Tensions Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Google Hotels is facing increasing pressure from competitors like Expedia, Tripadvisor, and Trivago, partly due to changes from the EU's Digital Markets Act and the rise of Google's AI Overviews impacting search visibility. Hotel developers are embracing dual-brand properties to cut costs and boost profitability by sharing infrastructure and appealing to broader market segments, with major chains like Marriott and Hilton leading the trend. Meanwhile, JetBlue is cutting costs amid soft travel demand, with potential route reductions and hiring slowdowns as it struggles to break even this year. Expedia Makes Gains as Google Hotels Is Increasingly 'Bruised' Two Brands, One Roof: Why Dual-Brand Hotels Are on the Rise JetBlue CEO Says Airline Unlikely to Break Even, Cost Cuts to Come Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0

Global travel grew slightly in April, but a 5% drop in North American activity—driven by weaker U.S. consumer sentiment—dampened overall progress. Despite the stronger euro, five million Americans are still expected to travel to Europe this summer. Meanwhile, Accor launched a direct-booking campaign with soccer star Kylian Mbappé to compete with online travel agencies, and Airbus outshone Boeing at the Paris Air Show with 132 orders, including a major deal with Riyadh Air. Global Travel Grows, but U.S. Drags Down Momentum Accor Bets on Kylian Mbappé in Loyalty Ad to Cut Out Middlemen Airbus Dominates Subdued First Day at Paris Air Show Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Air India Flight AI171 tragically crashed shortly after takeoff, marking the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and presenting a critical challenge for the Tata Group's ongoing transformation of Air India. The crash undermines recent optimism in India's aviation sector and threatens to derail the Vihaan.AI project, Air India's five-year overhaul plan aimed at restoring trust and enhancing its global image. Additionally, this incident adds to Boeing’s mounting safety concerns, with the 787 program already under scrutiny due to past production issues and whistleblower testimonies about potential safety lapses. 8 Ways the Air India Crash Could Reshape Indian Aviation and Tourism Air India’s Transformation Faces Major Test After 787 Crash Air India Crash: What’s at Stake for Boeing Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNP

An Air India Boeing 787-8 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London, leading to suspended airport operations and an ongoing investigation with no confirmed casualties yet. Meanwhile, hotel leaders downplayed threats from Airbnb's expansion into experiences, though experts argue hotels are underestimating the appeal of personalized, seamless offerings. Finally, Wyndham launched its first comprehensive ad campaign to promote its loyalty program and all 25 brands under the unified message “Where There’s a Wyndham, There’s a Way.” Air India Flight to London Crashes in Ahmedabad Wyndham's New Ad Blitz: 25 Brands, 1 Message Hotels Shrug Off Airbnb's Push Into Experiences – But They Still Need to Compete Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fa

Airbnb has been accused by ToursByLocals and Withlocals of violating their platforms’ policies by using company emails to recruit tour guides for its relaunched Experiences service. InterContinental Hotels Group’s CEO Elie Maalouf noted a temporary dip in U.S. inbound travel due to calendar shifts but expressed confidence in future growth, particularly in Asia, with plans to open the group’s 1,000th hotel in China. Meanwhile, Meliá Hotels is seeing strong U.S. demand at Mediterranean resorts and aims to expand across a “vacation axis” that includes the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle East, with Albania as a key target. Airbnb Accused of Poaching Tour Guides From Rival Platforms to Grow Experiences IHG CEO Sees U.S. Travel 'Bounce Back,' Targets Asia for Expansion Meliá Hotels CEO Eyes Growth in Emerging Destinations as U.S. Travelers Boost European Resorts Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Marriott has launched its first mid-market extended-stay brand, StudioRes, in Fort Myers, Florida, offering apartment-style rooms with full kitchens to appeal to budget-conscious, long-stay travelers, and plans to expand with 40 more properties by 2027. Apple announced new travel-related tech updates, including digital U.S. passports in Wallet and live translation for messages and calls, enhancing travel convenience through AI. Skift Research highlights a major shift in travel marketing as Google integrates AI-generated summaries into search results, significantly increasing the visibility of AI in travel-related searches. Apple’s Travel Upgrades: New Digital Passport, Live Translation for Messages and Calls Marriott Chases Lower Price Points With $100-a-Night Rooms Google’s AI Shift: Travel Marketing Disruption Is Coming Fast Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.

Hotels are seeking financial compensation from Booking.com over rate parity clauses that restricted lower pricing on their own sites from 2004 to 2024, with recent court decisions improving their chances. In Congress, several bipartisan bills could impact the travel industry, including legislation on hotel pricing transparency, tax deductions for tipped employees, and limits on airport facial recognition technology. Meanwhile, the new CEO of chauffeured services company Carey plans to use AI and a new tech platform to attract younger customers and compete with rideshare companies. Junk Fees, Airport Security, No Tax on Tips: 7 Travel Bills in Congress We’re Tracking Carey Hires New CEO, Pushes Strategy Shift for Elite Limo Service – Exclusive Hotels Escalate Long-Running Battle Against Booking.com's Pricing Rules Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029V

Hilton is using AI primarily to enhance guest experiences by predicting needs, recognizing loyal customers, and replacing post-stay surveys with real-time feedback, while guest messaging tools have already improved satisfaction scores. Industry experts at the Skift Data + AI Summit discussed how major hotel chains, like Marriott and Hilton, may leverage AI and brand trust to expand into areas like student housing, vacation rentals, and cruises, following a strategy similar to Amazon’s diversification. Meanwhile, Marriott is developing an AI tool to automate hotel room assignments, freeing staff to focus more on hospitality, supported by its in-house AI lab. Marriott Is Deploying a Front Desk AI Tool. It Took Time to Get it Right AI Will Drive Hotels to Follow Amazon's Loyalty Playbook Hilton’s AI Strategy: Less Hype, More Guest Experience Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wha

Hotel CEOs say the U.S. is missing out on its tourism potential due to visa processing delays and lack of investment in tourism infrastructure, while also focusing expansion efforts on international markets like India and the Middle East. Meanwhile, IATA’s Willie Walsh criticizes governments and fuel producers, particularly in the EU, for slowing progress on sustainable aviation fuel production, though producers argue they have increased output and lowered costs. Lastly, Starwood Hotels founder Barry Sternlicht warns that independent hotel brands are challenging established chains, emphasizing the need for differentiation and strong service, as he revives the Starwood Hotels name for his new venture. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠