

Skift Daily Briefing
Skift
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. Presented by Lodgify.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET. Presented by Lodgify.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 17, 2026 • 5min
Iran War Stress-Tests Travel, AI Falls Silent, Rebooking Chaos
The Iran war disrupted a major global travel corridor, exposed the limits of AI-powered support during crisis moments, and reignited the long-running airline vs. OTA customer ownership battle as travelers struggled to rebook flights at scale.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how the conflict revealed lingering weaknesses in travel’s disruption response, why AI customer service largely vanished during the biggest test since Covid, and what happens when airlines and online travel agencies push responsibility back and forth while passengers try to get home.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHow the Iran War Broke TravelMiddle East Crisis: AI Goes Missing When Travelers Need It MostWho Owns the Customer When OTA Clients Try to Rebook a Flight During the Iran War?
Connect with Skift
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Mar 13, 2026 • 6min
Marriott Pushes AI, Luxury Travelers Reroute, Europe Chooses Trains
Marriott accelerates AI tools to strengthen direct bookings while managing a Middle East dip, Hyatt says wealthy travelers are rerouting rather than canceling trips during global disruptions, and new research shows more travelers are choosing trains across Europe for the experience — not climate concerns.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how Marriott is using conversational AI to keep bookings inside its ecosystem, why luxury travelers are reshaping destinations rather than skipping trips, and what’s really driving Europe’s growing shift toward rail travel.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGMarriott Sees Middle East Dip but Expands AI ToolsEurope Travelers Swap Planes for Trains — But Climate Isn’t the DriverHyatt CFO on Global Shocks: Wealthy Travelers Aren’t Canceling Trips
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
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Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Mar 12, 2026 • 4min
Canadian Travel Slumps, Hilton Sounds Alarm, Airbnb Ops Push
Canadian travel to the U.S. declines for the 13th straight month, Hilton’s CEO warns the country has lost half its global tourism share, and Airbnb hires a former Uber executive to unify operations as it expands into an “entire trip” platform.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how shifting Canadian demand is reshaping airline routes, why Hilton sees massive upside if the U.S. rebuilds inbound travel strategy, and how Airbnb’s latest leadership hire supports its push to scale services, experiences, and trip planning in one ecosystem.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGCanadian Travel to the U.S. Keeps Falling — Now for 13 Straight MonthsHilton CEO Calls Out Decline in U.S. Tourism but Sees Economic Boost AheadAirbnb Appoints Former Uber Safety Exec as Global Head of Operations
Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Mar 11, 2026 • 5min
Oil Shock Threatens Airfares, TSA Lines Grow, IHG Climate Targets Slip
Oil surges past $100 a barrel threatening double-digit airfare increases, TSA staffing shortages during the shutdown trigger hours-long airport lines, and IHG reviews its climate targets after emissions rose despite efficiency gains.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how fuel prices could ripple through airline pricing and travel demand, why missing paychecks are creating operational stress at airport security, and what rising emissions mean for hotel industry climate commitments.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGOil Price Shock Could Mean 10%+ Fare Hike, $24 Billion in Costs for U.S. AirlinesShutdown Triggers TSA Staffing Shortages and Hours-Long Airport LinesIHG Reviews Climate Targets After Emissions Rise
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry

Mar 10, 2026 • 5min
ChatGPT Drops Checkout, F1 Faces Cancellations, World Cup Stays Shift
OpenAI backs away from in-chat checkout in ChatGPT, potential Formula One cancellations raise concerns for Middle East events, and strict short-term rental rules in New York are pushing World Cup lodging demand across the Hudson River to New Jersey.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why AI may control travel discovery but not transactions, how F1’s disruption signals broader risk for the regional events economy, and how housing policy is reshaping where World Cup visitors — and their spending — land in the New York metro area.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGChatGPT Bails on Transactions — Good News for Expedia and BookingF1’s Likely April Cancellations: A Major Warning for Middle East EventsAirbnb Faces World Cup Shortfall in NYC — New Jersey Is Dominating
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Mar 6, 2026 • 4min
Airbnb Expands Trip Control, Gulf Jet Demand Surges, World Cup Pressures
Airbnb pushes its “entire trip” strategy with airport transfers and services, private jet demand out of the UAE surges amid regional disruptions, and the 2026 World Cup countdown faces mounting concerns over tickets, security funding, and entry barriers.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down Airbnb’s push to own the trip interface, why airspace disruptions are fueling a premium aviation scramble, and how logistics — not soccer — may be the toughest challenge as the World Cup approaches.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!Articles Referenced:Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGAirbnb’s “One-Stop-Shop” Plan to Own Your Entire Trip300% Increase in Private Jet Demand in UAE, Charter Provider ClaimsUnpaid Bills, Blocked Fans, and Cartel Violence Cloud World Cup Countdown
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Mar 5, 2026 • 5min
Google Deepens Airline Bag Tracking, Accor Warns AI Could Commoditize Hotels, Expedia Signals a Reset
Google is pushing luggage tracking deeper into airline baggage systems, giving travelers a new way to share live bag location data directly with carriers. Accor is sounding the alarm from ITB Berlin, warning the industry not to let AI flatten hotel differentiation or hand the guest relationship to third-party interfaces. And Expedia is describing a dramatic internal pivot, tightening performance metrics and costs while doubling down on machine learning and AI to defend its position as distribution competition intensifies.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the real battleground is the interface — who owns the relationship, the data, and the moment of travel need.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Mar 4, 2026 • 5min
Canada Reroutes Travel, Consumers Resist AI Booking, The ‘Claude Effect’ Hits Travel
Canadian travelers are rapidly re-routing their winter trips as traditional sun destinations wobble — creating new winners and losers in 2026. Meanwhile, travel brands are racing to build “agentic” AI tools, but most consumers still aren’t ready to let bots handle their bookings. And Rafat Ali’s “Claude Effect” highlights how even small AI breakthroughs are already rattling travel valuations and forcing distribution players to defend their margins.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how shifting demand, fragile AI trust, and market anxiety are reshaping travel strategy in real time.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Why Ignoring Canada Just Got Expensive
Travel Brands Are Building AI Agents for a Consumer That Doesn't Exist
The Claude Effect Is Coming for Travel
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Mar 3, 2026 • 5min
Dubai’s Safe Haven Image Shaken, FAA Eyes O’Hare Flight Cuts, Southwest Bans Smart Glasses
Dubai’s reputation as a stable global travel hub faces new pressure after regional strikes disrupt airspace and test traveler confidence. The FAA considers limiting flights at Chicago O’Hare to prevent cascading summer delays as airlines battle for dominance. And Southwest bans smart glasses in the workplace, signaling a new era of privacy and risk management as wearable tech spreads.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks how geopolitics, infrastructure limits, and emerging technology are reshaping airline operations and destination perception.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Dubai's Status as a Travel Safe Haven Tested as Iran Strikes the UAE
FAA Considers Reducing Flights at Chicago O’Hare After American and United Turf War
Southwest Airlines Bars Employees From Wearing Smart Glasses: Scoop
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Feb 27, 2026 • 4min
Loyalty as Profit Engine, Barcelona Tax Hike, Vrbo’s Rain Refund
Hotel executives spotlight loyalty as a growing profit engine beyond room revenue, Barcelona moves to double its hotel tax to manage overtourism, and Vrbo tests a weather-refund add-on that pays travelers automatically if rainfall crosses a set threshold.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how hotels are monetizing guest relationships beyond RevPAR, why Barcelona is betting demand can withstand higher visitor fees, and how embedded “peace of mind” products are becoming a bigger part of the booking flow.
This episode is presented by Lodgify!
Articles Referenced:
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHotel Execs Reveal New Revenue Priority: Making More From LoyaltyBarcelona to Double Hotel TaxVrbo Guests Can Pay Fees to Get Refunds When Rain Ruins a Stay
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.


