Podcast
Skift Daily Briefing
Hosted by Skift · EN
Everything you need to know about the business of travel today. Each episode covers new travel stories from Skift's editorial team. Listen to the latest developments at hotels, airlines, destinations, online booking sites, and more.
Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
92episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Europe Is Melting and Airlines Want to Ban Something They Say They Don't Do
Jun 2600:04:07Tap to summarizeA deadly heat wave is shutting down Europe's most iconic attractions just as summer travel peaks, the airline industry backs a ban on surveillance pricing while insisting no one actually does it, and experience specialists are leaving the big OTAs in the dust after 30 years of promises. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why this summer's European heat wave is a preview of a new travel planning reality, why the airline industry's stance on surveillance pricing raises more questions than it answers, and why the companies actually winning the experiences market are the ones that built their whole business around it. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGEurope Heat Wave Disrupts Tourism and TravelAirline Lobby Backs Ban on Surveillance PricingExperience Pure-Plays Are Winning. OTAs Are Still Catching Up. 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Marriott Is Getting Into Apartment Rentals and Airlines Are Invisible to AI
Jun 2500:05:16Tap to summarizeAmadeus thinks it has a fix for the AI search problem quietly breaking airline economics, Marriott makes its first move into branded apartment rentals, and U.S. News just ranked America's best meeting cities and somehow put Miami dead last. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why airlines risk losing the distribution battle all over again if they don't solve their AI visibility problem fast, what Marriott's W Apartments play signals about where branded hospitality is heading next, and why the meetings industry isn't buying Miami's last-place finish. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGAmadeus Has an Answer for AI's Infinite Search ProblemMarriott to Brand Apartment Rentals — W Hotels to Add Branded Rental Units in 2027U.S. News & World Report's Inaugural Meeting Destination Rankings: Here's How Cities Stacked Up 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Airlines Are Keeping Fares High Even as Fuel Prices Drop
Jun 2400:05:00Tap to summarizeAirline executives make clear that lower fuel costs won't mean cheaper tickets, Carnival posts record revenue but still trims its outlook as the Middle East war lingers, and a decade-long look at Airbnb's attempts to become a travel superapp reveals just how many times it's started and stopped. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why structural shifts in the airline industry mean higher fares could be the new normal regardless of what happens to fuel, why Carnival's record quarter still came with a cautious outlook, and what's actually different about Airbnb's latest push to become more than a short-term rental platform. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGThose Higher Airfares May Stick Even if Fuel Prices DropCarnival Cruise Second Quarter: Middle East ImpactHow Airbnb Went From Short-Term Rentals to Hotels, Car Rentals, and Beyond: A Timeline 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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World Cup Hotels Are Charging More but Rooms Aren't Filling Up
Jun 2300:05:01Tap to summarizeOne week of World Cup hotel data reveals a more complicated picture than anyone expected, Hilton signals it's building new brands again with a mysterious "Tortoise" trademark in the mix, and Hyatt's lifestyle chief is quietly cleaning house one property at a time. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why World Cup hotels are making money on rate but missing on occupancy as the international crowd stays home, what Hilton's new brand activity signals about where the hotel giant is placing its next big bets, and how Hyatt's Amar Lalvani is raising the bar on what actually qualifies as a lifestyle hotel. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGWorld Cup Hotel Revenue and Occupancy: Week OneHilton Says It Will Build New Brands Again. Owners Will Want to See the Math.How Hyatt's Lifestyle Chief Does a Portfolio Cleanup 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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The Gulf Is Opening Back Up. European Airlines Are Still Waiting.
Jun 1900:04:35Tap to summarizeThe UK and Australia lift Gulf travel warnings as the Iran war winds down but European carriers remain grounded pending safety clearance, JetBlue doubles down on Fort Lauderdale while retreating from its New York roots, and Airbnb makes its first fintech move with a Hopper-style cancellation product. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Gulf recovery is real but slow and entirely dependent on insurance and regulators, how JetBlue is quietly rebuilding its network around opportunity rather than geography, and what Airbnb's new cancellation feature signals about where the company is heading next. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGUK and Australia Lift Gulf Travel Warnings but European Airlines Await ClearanceJetBlue Pushes Deeper Into Fort Lauderdale, Shrinks in Newark and LaGuardiaAirbnb Moves Into Fintech With a Hopper-Like Cancel for Any Reason Feature 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Airlines Keep Losing and AI Can't Even Read Their Fares
Jun 1800:05:16Tap to summarizeEurope hands airlines a major defeat on passenger rights after 13 years of lobbying, July Fourth travel hits a slim record carried almost entirely by cruises, and new research reveals AI is sending more travelers to travel sites but can't actually read most airline fares. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the EU's decision to keep its passenger compensation rules intact is a significant win for travelers and a costly loss for airlines, why this July Fourth record is more complicated than it looks once you strip out cruises, and why airlines are losing the AI visibility race to OTAs at exactly the wrong moment. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGEurope's New Rules Leave Airlines With the Same €8 Billion ProblemJuly Fourth Travel Carried by Cruises: AAAAdobe Data: AI Travel Traffic Up for Airlines, Hotels, and Car Rentals 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Marriott's Loyalty Program Is So Profitable Its Own Hotel Owners Are Revolting
Jun 1700:05:08Tap to summarizeMarriott hotel owners demand a bigger cut of a loyalty program generating $1 billion in credit card fees, American Express drops $700 million on a European restaurant platform to quietly become one of travel's most powerful players, and Equinox Hotels is finally expanding by betting everything on sleep. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Marriott's loyalty goldmine is creating a very expensive fight with the owners running its hotels, how Amex is building a travel empire one dining platform at a time, and why Equinox's sleep-first expansion is the boldest wellness bet in luxury hospitality right now. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGMarriott Hotel Owners Want a Bigger Cut of Loyalty IncomeWhy Amex Spent $700 Million on TheFork and What's Next for TripadvisorEquinox Hotels Is Finally Expanding. It's Betting Everything on Sleep. 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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U.S. Tourism Is Sliding and the World Cup Hasn't Fixed It
Jun 1600:04:29Tap to summarizeOverseas visits to the U.S. drop sharply in May as Western Europe stays home, World Cup host cities spend millions on welcome campaigns to fight a perception problem, and a ten-year look at hotels vs. OTAs reveals who actually won. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why inbound tourism is still sliding even as the World Cup kicks off, how host cities are betting big-budget welcome campaigns can overcome visa headlines and entry policy concerns, and why the real winner of the hotel vs. OTA war wasn't market share — it was margin. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGOverseas Travel to the United States May DeclineWorld Cup Tourism Campaign VideosHotels Tried to Cut Out Expedia. Here's What Happened. 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Airfares Are Up 20% and Travelers Are Not Stopping
Jun 1200:04:07Tap to summarizeAirline CEOs are stunned that demand hasn't buckled under a 20% fare spike, World Cup hotels are still waiting on a booking surge that may depend entirely on which teams advance, and Canadian travel to the U.S. is creeping back but still far below where it was. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why travel demand is proving more resilient than even airline executives expected, why the World Cup's hotel story hinges on a potential Messi vs. Ronaldo matchup, and why Brand USA is smartly going after Gen Z Canadians instead of the Boomers who aren't coming back anytime soon. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Airfares Are Up 20%. Demand Is Strong. Even Airline CEOs Are Surprised. Hotels Hope for Last-Minute World Cup Bookings Canadian Travel to the U.S. Rebounds but Still Far Below 2024 Levels 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Aviation's 2050 Climate Goal Is Slipping and Nobody Has a Fix
Jun 1100:04:55Tap to summarizeAviation's net zero target may be getting pushed back as sustainable fuel supply falls dramatically short, Cathay Pacific says summer demand is holding strong while the Gulf stays grounded, and luxury hotel guests are paying higher rates without blinking. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why aviation's 2050 climate pledge is losing credibility without real government follow-through on sustainable fuel, how the Iran war's disruption of Gulf routes is quietly benefiting Asian hubs like Hong Kong, and why the K-shaped travel economy is showing no signs of letting up at the luxury end. Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Aviation's 2050 Net Zero Target Could Slip — The More Likely Outcome Cathay Pacific CEO: Summer Demand Is Holding Up Despite Fuel Price Shock CoStar: Luxury Travelers Show No Pushback on Higher Hotel Rates 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.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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