Expedia's Trump Slump, Choice's Budget Boost and Sphere’s Cheaper Offspring
Expedia Group is experiencing weaker travel demand to the U.S., reporting a 7% decline in inbound travel and lowering its full-year growth expectations due to softening bookings and revenue. Choice Hotels also cut its revenue outlook, though it saw a 7% rise in revenue per available room from its budget brands, benefiting from factors like strong employment and low gas prices. Meanwhile, Sphere Entertainment plans to expand by developing smaller, more cost-effective versions of its large-scale Sphere venues, aiming for broader market deployment with better investment returns.
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3:33
Google's AI Travel Ads, Abu Dhabi's Disneyland and Trump Campaign's Hotel Expenses
Google is now allowing ads from travel companies to appear in generative AI search results, with startups like iAsk showing sponsored links from brands such as Tripadvisor and American Airlines. Meanwhile, Disney announced plans to build its first Middle Eastern theme park in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, with the project being designed and financed in collaboration with government-backed developer Miral. Lastly, the Trump campaign spent over $4.76 million on lodging during the 2024 election, favoring Hilton and Marriott properties over other hotel brands.
Google Places Travel Ads in Startup AI Search Engine Results
How Much the Trump Campaign Spent on Hotels — and Where Staffers Stayed
Disney Picks Abu Dhabi for Its First Middle East Theme Park
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3:33
Marriott’s Trimmed Forecast, Asia's New Travel Leaders and Hilton's India Ambitions
Marriott has lowered its full-year forecast due to weakening demand in the U.S., despite strong international performance and double-digit revenue growth in India and Japan. In a separate development, Skift highlights ten influential women in the Asia-Pacific travel industry ahead of its upcoming Asia Forum, spotlighting leaders from Hilton, Klook, and Indonesia’s aviation sector. Meanwhile, Hilton is planning a major expansion in India, aiming to grow its hotel count tenfold over the next decade with a focus on the middle class and the introduction of five new brands.
Asia's Women Leading the Travel Transformation
Hilton CEO's 10x Plan for India: 30 Hotels Today, 300 in a Decade
Marriott Trims Outlook on 'Softer' U.S. Demand But Sees Strength Internationally
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3:25
JetBlue’s VC Sale, Airbnb’s Cleaning Fees and Social Commerce’s Impact
JetBlue has sold its venture capital arm, JetBlue Ventures, to Sky Leasing in a move to return to profitability following setbacks including the collapse of partnerships with American Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Airbnb's global rollout of upfront pricing now includes cleaning fees, which vary significantly by region, with North America and the Caribbean showing the highest incidence. Meanwhile, Skift Research reports that social commerce is transforming travel, as platforms like TikTok and Instagram drive bookings and influencers increasingly act as travel agents, potentially generating $7 billion in sales across accommodations and airlines.
JetBlue Sells Venture Capital Arm in Bid to Boost Profitability
Social Commerce Is Transforming Travel – Brands Need to Move Fast
Short-Term Rental Cleaning Fees — the Global Numbers
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2:55
Airbnb’s Growth Plan, Wyndham’s New Forecast and Hyatt’s Trimmed Outlook
Airbnb is working to regain double-digit growth in nights booked by expanding internationally, especially in Italy, Germany, and Japan, and by adding more high-quality hotels to its platform, including incentives through HotelTonight. Wyndham has revised its revenue outlook downward due to softer March demand but remains optimistic about long-term gains from infrastructure spending, having opened a record number of new rooms in Q1. Hyatt also lowered its forecast citing macroeconomic uncertainty, despite strong Q1 results, with luxury brands showing the highest performance.
Airbnb Reports 'Softness,' Looks to International and Hotels to Get Growth Mojo Back
Hyatt CEO: 'Softer Booking Trends' and 'Choppy Environment'
Wyndham Cuts Growth Forecast, Hopes for Infrastructure Boom and 'Short-Lived' Uncertainty
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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.
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