Skift Take Live auctions have been around for a while, but this is the first time a major airline is testing the waters, and leaving the chance to upgrade so late. It won’t appeal to larger corporations, but the blended travel market could make a perfect fit. Matthew Parsons With fewer business travelers in the skies, Lufthansa is now allowing passengers to bid for an upgraded seat during a...
Skift Take Today’s podcast looks at hotels’ new business travel workaround, Viking’s strong path to 2025, and industry accommodations for a boom in smaller-scale meetings and events. Rashaad Jorden Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, August 23, 2024, and now, here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today. Listen Now Subscribe Apple...
Since late 2020 to its third quarter earnings report, Airbnb has consistently reported that it has four million hosts on the platform. Given all of the havoc that the pandemic engineered, have those ranks not budged one way or another? We looked at that issue and three other takeaways from Airbnb’s third-quarter report, which saw the company proclaim its best quarter ever. Curious Host Numbers...
Skift Take A lot of Indians are waiting a long time to visit the U.S. Eric Garcetti wants to generate the same excitement in U.S. travelers about visiting India. Justin Dawes There’s a big demand from Indian tourists to visit the U.S., but there’s not as much demand the other way around. Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India, thinks that’s starting to change — and he’s pushing to enhance demand...
Skift Take One challenge for struggling travel SPACs beyond their stock prices is to create something new that’s truly valuable to their customers. Booking.com did just that years ago, although others have caught up in the interim. Dennis Schaal Reverse stock splits are almost never a good sign and companies have a tough time recovering. They do it when their shares are in the basement and...
Skift Take Nujuma opens next month as one of the most expensive hotels in Saudi Arabia. Josh Corder Marriott International has dressed one of its top general managers as Lawrence of Arabia to promote its new resort along the Red Sea. Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is expected to be the most expensive hotel ever operated in Saudi Arabia – commanding rates of more than $3,400 a night when it opens...
Skift Take Here’s what our 10 year anniversary means to the folks behind the magic. The Skift Dream Team. Rafat Ali As we celebrate our 10 years at Skift, while we have become amongst the most influential industry forces in the global travel sector, I have been reflecting on what it means to build a small AND mighty team that delivers on the promise, day in and day out. Originally three of...
Skift Take China’s opening up, but if the airlines don’t step up their flight game, we might be looking at even crazier airfare hikes with all these eager travelers. Peden Doma Bhutia China has simplified entry rules for U.S. citizens visiting the country on tourist visas. Starting January 1, tourist visa applicants in the U.S. will no longer be required to submit proof of round-trip air...
Skift Take Travelzoo could gain a new set of customers if its metaverse project truly takes off. For now, its investment is modest, though. Dennis Schaal Deal publisher Travelzoo plans to launch a subscription-based travel metaverse in September as a way to reach new customers. The Travelzoo Meta, which began testing in May with a limited set of users, “will be browser-enabled entertaining travel...
Announcements
A Packed Agenda at Skift Global Forum East in Dubai
Backed by Skift’s editorial expertise, Skift Global Forum East returns to Dubai on November 19-20 to gather travel leaders and industry experts as we explore the key global trends across travel, including insights from those in tourism, hospitality, aviation, experiences, and more.
Brian Quinn | 12 hours ago