India to Play ‘Crucial’ Role in Riyadh Air’s Global Network
As Riyadh Air prepares for its first passenger flight, the airline is securing global partnerships – with India firmly in its sights.
All Categories
Airlines
Asia’s Airlines Crack Down on Lithium Batteries as Fire Risks Rise
A wave of new lithium battery restrictions from Asian airlines highlights rising safety concerns and follows several onboard incidents.
This Airline Is Tapping Into India’s Growing Love for Sports and Events-Led Tourism
While Indian carriers have a strong hold in the Indian market, Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot is counting on its robust network primarily in the Southeast Asian market and Indians' love for unique experiences to drive growth.
Business Travel
No More 'Bags Fly Free': Southwest Scraps Its Most Iconic Perk
This huge change to the Southwest business model upturns decades of unique market positioning — it’s a high-risk bet.
American Express to Acquire Center, an Expense Management Startup
There’s been a fair amount of activity in the corporate travel and expense management world as companies look to capitalize on a largely untapped market.
10 C-Suite Insights from IAG’s Earnings Call
Best known as the parent company behind British Airways, IAG’s sphere of influence stretches far beyond the UK. Here are 10 must-know nuggets from Friday’s full-year earnings call.
Coronavirus
The Travel Industry's Immense Potential for Growth
Despite the pandemic’s unprecedented challenges, the travel industry’s recovery is proving to be remarkable.
The Travel Industry Surpasses 2019
Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks closer at the recovery of the travel industry that have allowed it to surpass spring 2019 benchmarks.
Travel Makes a Complete Recovery
Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks closer at travel's coronavirus recovery, Airbnb's optimism, and Hilton's extended-stay moves.
Cruises
Taxing the Cruise Companies: What Are the Options? What's the Impact?
It remains an open question whether the Trump administration would successfully impose U.S. income tax on the cruise industry.
Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO on Middle East and Russia, Taxes, and New Private Island
During an earnings call, CEO Harry Sommer said there was a “unique opportunity” as a cruise operator to benefit from Trump's geopolitical moves, particularly in Russia.
Royal Caribbean to Add River Cruises Under Celebrity Brand in 2027
Bookings are already off to a record start in 2025 for Royal Caribbean, and the company is now set to expand its offerings further by breaking into river cruises, the CEO told Skift.
Experiences
Funding Freeze on Fulbright Scholarships Leaves Students in Travel Limbo
As a result of an extended freeze on grants for study abroad programs, some students told Skift that they are feeling stranded and confused.
Q&A: How Sandals Resorts’ New Campaign Champions Caribbean Authenticity
By emphasizing its authentic roots, culture, and decades-long presence in the Caribbean, Sandals Resorts aims to remind travelers that it offers more than just luxury — it delivers an experience that is uniquely and unmistakably Caribbean.
TUI to Launch New Experiences Aimed at Locals
The new deal with Fever is tapping into Generation Z and Millennials' preferences for experiences over material goods, and giving TUI a new opportunity for sales with locals.
Food and Drink
How Tourism Homogenizes Cuisines and What Are Possible Solutions
There is a lot that can be done, both from an awareness and, even more importantly, from a policy perspective. Most of it requires changes that the travelers of today, seeking more authentic experiences, would welcome.
Magic Mushrooms in the Minibar
Some will always love a luxury spa. But psychedelics (think psilocybin soundbaths and mushrooms) are the phase in high-end wellness.
24x7 Food at Delhi's Aerocity - India Report
Delhi Aerocity, with a heavy presence of branded hotels, is a convenient hub for business and leisure travelers alike.
Ground Transport
3 Ways Ground Transportation Can Benefit From AI
Ground transportation stands to gain significantly from AI adoption as a means to free itself from legacy tech constraints. AI enhances efficiency by optimizing routes, managing fleets, and reducing fuel consumption, while also boosting customer satisfaction.
AI-Powered Revenue Management Transforms Ground Transportation
The integration of AI-powered revenue management by ground transportation operators is transforming the industry, introducing dynamic pricing and demand forecasting. Traditionally reliant on static pricing, the bus industry is now embracing more granular control over pricing strategies, allowing operators to adjust fares based on specific departure days and demand fluctuations.
Amtrak Posts Record Ridership – Can it Double by 2040?
Amtrak runs some very long routes, like the California Zephyr, but most people don't actually use them to go across the country. Instead, they use them for shorter trips, like visiting their aunt in the next state over. Amtrak is planning its growth around this.
Hotels
Radisson's Growth Plan: Fewer Rules for Hotel Owners, China Focus
Radisson Hotel Group says it takes an "owner-first" approach, which basically translates to: “What do you, the property owner, need to make this a good investment?” Maybe that's why it's been on a growth tear.
Trends in Global Accommodations: Asia-Pacific’s Rise and Business Travel’s Comeback
We expect moderate growth through 2026, with the Asia-Pacific region once gain overtaking Europe and a pickup in business travel.
Taj-Parent Indian Hotels Company Enters Ras Al Khaimah With Branded Residences
With big competitors like Movenpick and Hampton by Hilton resorts, IHCL has clearly tried to set itself apart by going the branded apartment route.
Luxury
Inside Boutique Group’s Cultural and Social Sustainability Commitments
Modern sustainability in travel is no longer just about environmental initiatives. Hotel brands must also consider their impact on local communities and commitments to cultural heritage. With those pillars in mind, Boutique Group is paving the way for a new “responsible luxury” model in Saudi Arabia.
Skiing Is Obscenely Expensive. The Resort That Makes a $329 Lift Ticket Feel Worth It
Deer Valley is offering a masterclass on how to justify a premium price point, and making sure that expansion narratives map to emotional needs and guest benefits. It is a great example of luxury brand strategy, executed well.
Exclusive: Abercrombie & Kent Unveils Rebrand and Luxury Travel Magazine
A new chapter for Abercrombie & Kent will centralise its websites and social media channels and involve the launch of a travel magazine.
Media and PR
Social Media Agency Launches Gamified Travel Marketing in Singapore Test
Gone are the days of old-school pitch meetings with traditional agencies — tourism marketing has entered the age of storytelling, captivating content, and instant booking options.
Keegan-Michael Key Is Choice Hotels' Ad Spokesperson
Choice Hotels really wants you to use your paid vacation days.
The Slow Fade: Why Consumer Travel Media Is Obsolete
As someone who has devoted all of my life to media, it pains me to say this: consumer travel media, in its current incarnation, is dead. The world has changed, and it’s time for us to move on.
Meetings
How Fontainebleau Las Vegas Is Unlocking New Possibilities for Meetings and Events
From world-class dining and versatile meeting spaces to high-touch service standards and one-of-a-kind offerings, Fontainebleau Las Vegas offers everything planners need to craft exceptional events.
Rajasthan Focuses on Weddings, Conferences to Boost Tourism - India Report
Rajasthan, a premier wedding destination in India, has much to offer including wildlife, museums, temples, and lakes. While the state is seeking to promote its various offerings, it does not want to lose out on the significant revenue from weddings and business meetings.
Behind Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ Vision to Transform Luxury Meetings: Watch Video
Today’s meeting planners face unique challenges driven by evolving attendee expectations, technological advancements, and the ongoing need for flexibility. This video explores how Fontainebleau Las Vegas is redefining luxury meetings to meet these challenges.
Online Travel
Priceline’s Latest Campaign Uses March Madness to Tap into Sports-Driven Travel
Priceline is using the upcoming March Madness season to push sports-driven travel with targeted hotel deals and new partnerships in its latest campaign.
Yanolja Teams With ChatGPT and Google. More AI Partnerships to Come, CEO Says
Industry leaders envision a future where consumers can plan, book, and manage all aspects of travel from a single interface. These early partnerships between AI and travel companies bring that vision a step closer.
Southwest Didn't Get the Gains It Expected From New Online Booking Channels
Southwest is looking to expand its online distribution even though it didn't get the love it sought for its now-abandoned 'bags fly free' policy.
Podcasts
Bollywood: The Strongest Currency in Indian Tourism – Skift Travel Podcast
Bollywood's enormous influence on travel is showing no signs of slowing down. This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast examines how Indian tourism has gotten a boost from the popularity of the country's film industry.
Southwest Blames Partners, Canadians Avoid the U.S. and Indian Women Lead
On today’s podcast we discuss Southwest’s disappointment with booking partners, Canadians’ disappointment with the U.S., and the women leading change in the Indian travel industry.
Airbnb's New Experiences, Southwest's Big Change and Lufthansa's Emissions Challenges
On today’s podcast we look at Airbnb’s relaunched experiences, Southwest’s new baggage fees, and Lufthansa’s emissions challenges.
Short-Term Rentals
Canada Is the Top Source of U.S. Travel – Now Visits Are Trending Down
If Canadian visits continue to decline, it could cost the U.S. billions in lost spending, and thousands of jobs.
New Loyalty Program Journey Targets Independent Boutique Hotels
The new startup Journey faces significant challenges in building consumer adoption and achieving the necessary scale to compete with established loyalty programs. But its notable backers believe it's addressing critical pain points in today's loyalty system.
Vrbo Needles Airbnb in New Campaign: We're 'Hotter' and 'Cooler'
Vrbo, the underdog in the competition, is getting scrappy with its marketing tactics.
Skift Originals
Marriott Bonvoy's New AI Search Tool: 4 Tests Show How It Works — and Doesn't
Marriott Bonvoy's new AI tool probably isn’t sharp enough yet to be reliable. But as one of the first tools like it by a major hotel brand, it offers an early glimpse at how lodging search could look in the future.
Don't Create Company Culture: Lessons on Meaning of Work
Culture stems from the meaningful work we do, and each of us seeing the tangible in-situ effects of that work for the people for whom we create everything.
Celebrating 10 Years of Skift Deep Dives
Our Deep Dive stories are the cornerstone of Skift's journalism. Meticulous reporting. Smart analysis. Great writing. All packaged and designed in ways to keep you glued to the story. Here's a few of our favorites over the past 10 years.
Startups
6 Travel Startups Raise $168 Million Over 2 Weeks: Funding Roundup
The deals are small because the tech is still young, but there’s clearly interest in where it’s headed.
Travel Startups Raise $580 Million Over Two Weeks
The ticket experiences sector has been ripe for modernization, and Klook is among those cashing in.
Klook Raises $100 Million From Vitruvian to Fuel Travel Experience Sales
This investment from private equity firm Vitruvian Partners sets Klook up for further expansion in Asia Pacific.
Tour Operators
Airbnb Experiences: New Details Point to Direct Competition with Viator and GetYourGuide
Experiences has traditionally been a low-margin business so Airbnb was never going to make a go of it tethered to a niche offering. The challenge in going mainstream is to maintain some differentiation from rivals.
Intrepid Travel Acquires Dutch Tour Operator, Its Biggest Acquisition Yet: Exclusive
Intrepid has embarked on a complex task of integrating a Dutch language brand. If it works in the Netherlands, that doesn't mean it would work in France. But the opportunity is huge.
Listings Were Never the Answer
We may be at an inflection point where the very nature of how we discover and book travel is being fundamentally reimagined – and listings are increasingly not the best answer.
Tourism
Potential Shutdown Deal Could Avoid Travel Disruption
Risks to travel are minimal if a government shutdown is short, but the longer it grows on, the more disruption in the industry can take hold.
What Are the Biggest Challenges for India’s Travel Industry?
India's travel industry hasn't reached its potential yet, especially in attracting international visitors.
Generation Next: The Women Driving India’s Travel Revolution
From bolstering local economies to championing sustainable practices, these women innovators are forging a travel movement that’s both inclusive and impactful.
Travel Agents
Booking Platform Mondee Files for Bankruptcy
The bankruptcy comes after Mondee was delisted in December.
Travelers Are Taking Longer to Plan Trips, Despite Faster Tools to Book Them
The trend toward increased research time reflects a more deliberate and empowered traveler who prioritizes control, trust, and value in their planning process.
How the Humble Package Holiday is Fueling EasyJet’s Record Profits
EasyJet’s success in integrating its core airline business with a high-margin holiday subsidiary isn't just a financial play; it’s a redefinition of how low-cost carriers can compete effectively.
Travel Technology
Beyond Wi-Fi: Exploring The Strategic Value of In-Flight Connectivity
In-flight Wi-Fi is evolving from a perk to a strategic advantage. As passenger expectations rise, airlines that integrate seamless connectivity into loyalty and revenue strategies will gain a competitive edge.
United Airlines Installs Elon Musk’s Starlink on First Regional Aircraft
United’s installation comes as Starlink is becoming an increasingly popular option for airlines looking to offer free, high-speed connectivity on board.
Airlines Have Lagged in AI – How They Are Using it Now
Airlines have generally taken more time to jump on board the generative AI bandwagon. But that’s changing.
Venture Capital
IAG Pledges $217 Million for Startup Investments Through New Venture Arm
This is the first time that IAG has set aside specific funds for startup investment.
Corporate Travel, Flying Taxis: Startups Raise $300 Million Over Three Weeks
Travel startups have raised about $400 million so far this year. By this time in 2024, travel startups had raised more than twice that.
Flying Taxis and Loyalty Tech: 6 Travel Startups Raise $100 Million
It's a slow start to the year, but travel startup funding is sure to pick up.