Middle East Tourism Faces Long Shadow, Gulf Airlines Ease Loyalty, Capital One Expands Travel

The Middle East tourism sector faces a multi-year recovery challenge as the Iran war reshapes traveler habits, Gulf airlines are loosening loyalty requirements to protect frequent flyers during disruption, and Capital One is bringing its travel platform in-house by acquiring the Hopper technology that powered it.

On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how prolonged disruption could reshape destination demand in the Middle East, why airlines are using loyalty programs as a crisis retention tool, and what Capital One’s move signals about banks becoming powerful players in travel distribution.

This episode is presented by Lodgify!

Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
The Long Shadow: What the Middle East’s Destination Brands Will Look Like in 2028
Iran War Forces Gulf Airlines to Loosen Loyalty Requirements
Capital One to Make ‘Payout’ to Acquire the Hopper Tech and Employees that Built Its Travel Portal

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