Travel

Skift Take If you’ve ever sailed past Niagara Falls or toured a city on a sightseeing bus, you may have thought, “This is nice and all, but I wish there was something more.” Tour operator Hornblower plans to fix that. Jesse Chase-Lubitz Hornblower Group’s new CEO, Mike Flaskey, is betting on enhanced onboard experiences to

Skift Take The Middle East is one of the few regions to already be ahead of 2019 tourism, led by Saudi Arabia’s transformation plan. Josh Corder Skift’s State of Travel 2024 report highlighted that the Middle East and Africa are seeing a surge in international tourism, driven largely by Saudi Arabia’s push in recent years.

This month, an 11-year-old startup called Flyr raised the largest single round of venture capital for a travel tech company in years: A total package of nearly $300 million.  It’s a tough time for startup funding, and the Flyr deal is a shining example of what investors are willing to bet on: Tech that promises

Skift Take Choice Hotels has revamped Radisson and Radisson Blu to further solidify its position in the upscale hotel market. The goal? Appeal to a new generation of travelers while honoring its 115-year-old heritage. Choice Hotels This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. The demand for upscale travel has grown in

Skift Take It’s still early days, but most of the experiments with AI are focused on improving customer service and increasing the efficiency of flight operations. Rashaad Jorden A growing number of travel brands — including some in the airline industry — are looking at ways they can get the most out of artificial intelligence.

A cycle of interest rate cuts could start as soon as September, according to comments Friday by Jay Powell, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve: “The time has come for policy to adjust,” Powell said. After more than two years of elevated rates, the hotel industry is optimistic that cuts could spark a rush

Skift Take The pandemic may be in the rearview mirror for hotels and online travel agencies, but the challenges for those sectors are far from over — especially with the threat of a recession still looming. Rashaad Jorden The Skift Research team recently unveiled its State of Travel 2024 report, a 400-page that documents the

Skift Take Hotel chains are quietly planning to shift their distribution strategies, aiming to bypass traditional intermediaries and boost direct bookings from corporate travel buyers. But with billions at stake, expect fights from legacy players. Sean O’Neill Hotel chains are quietly developing plans to bypass traditional booking intermediaries, aiming to increase direct bookings from corporations

Skift Take Steve Singh is continuing to build and fund an ecosystem that he hopes will bring about a more high-tech experience for the next generation of business travel. Otto will have to work out the rough edges of other AI trip planners to date. Justin Dawes Steve Singh and a group of industry veterans

Skift Take India’s hotel industry has gaps and enough potential to warrant significant growth over the next few years. But whether the players will be able to capitalize is a different question altogether. Bulbul Dhawan Branded hotel room signings in India during the April to June quarter surged by nearly 40% from the same period

Skift Take Timely commissions form a critical foundation for productive partnerships between hotels and travel agencies. Deploying the fastest, most reliable funding methods reduces administrative workloads and banking fees and also improves supplier-vendor relationships. Onyx CenterSource This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. In the competitive hospitality industry, timely commissions are

Travel services operator Alhind Group based in Kerala’s Kozhikode has received the Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s initial approval to start an airline. Alhind aims to commence operations of Alhind Air by the end of 2024.  According to reports, the company is planning an initial investment between INR 2-5 billion ($24-60

Skift Take Shakira has paved the way for other Latin America artists. Despegar hopes she can open more doors for the company, as well. Dennis Schaal Want to spread a company’s brand awareness across Latin America? Teaming with Shakira might not be a bad option. Latin America’s largest online travel agency, Despegar, is teaming with

Skift Take Mallorca authorities are trying to respond to local frustrations with mass tourism by cracking down on short-term rentals. Dawit Habtemariam Mallorca experienced a drop in short-term rental bookings in July following a regulatory crackdown and widespread protests against overtourism. Authorities have stepped up new restrictions this year and imposed “hefty” fines on apartment

Tiqets navigated the pandemic better than some rivals thanks to a strategic investment from Airbnb. “The company has been profitable since last year, meaning there is less need for funding,” said CEO Laurens Leurink. Tiqets sells admission to museums and attractions, but with some twists. It specializes in special early morning or late night entries

Skift Take After splurging on travel this summer, Americans are starting to cut back and take more vacations closer to home. Dawit Habtemariam Americans aren’t going to be setting a new travel record for Labor Day weekend like they did for July 4th and Memorial Day, according to an analysis of booking data released Monday

Gloria Gonzalez, a travel agency account manager in Fort Worth, used to fly back-to-back business trips as a travel manager before the pandemic. Drew Pinto, Marriott’s chief revenue and technology officer, still travels for work, but when he does, he thinks more about how flight times, jet lag, and other travel realities will affect him. 

Skift Take Las Vegas is betting nearly $2 million on Formula 1 tickets to woo airlines and showcase the city’s high-stakes potential. The gamble comes as demand for the race shows signs of faltering. Dawit Habtemariam The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority plans to spend $1.7 million on Formula 1 Grand Prix tickets for