Skift Daily Briefing

Despite ongoing economic concerns and declining consumer confidence, a new survey shows that people still plan to increase their travel spending, even as they cut back on entertainment like movies and live events. Eurostar is experiencing a strong rise in bookings from U.S. travelers, with CEO Gwendoline Cazenave noting no signs of a slowdown and emphasizing seamless travel as key to continued growth. Meanwhile, Singapore is set for a tourism boost thanks to Lady Gaga's May concerts, which have driven a significant surge in travel bookings and accommodation searches. Exclusive: U.S. Outbound Travel is 'Booming,' Says Eurostar CEO Consumers Plan to Spend More on Travel and Vacations Despite ‘Gloomy’ Sentiment Will Lady Gaga's Singapore Concert Match the Taylor Swift Effect? 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

United Airlines is raising fees for its credit cards and lounge memberships while adding new perks like rideshare credits and Instacart memberships, as it sees growing revenue from these services. Marriott International is expanding rapidly in the branded residences market, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America, though it faces stiff competition from other major hotel chains. Meanwhile, Minor Hotels is consolidating its eight brands under a single app and launching a masterbrand strategy to streamline loyalty programs and improve cross-selling. How Marriott Is Defending its Lead in Branded Residences United Airlines Raises Credit Card and Lounge Fees: Here’s What to Know Minor Hotels to Unveil Masterbrand and Unify 8 Chains on One App 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

London’s Heathrow Airport has been shut down until 11:59 p.m. on March 21 due to a major power outage caused by a fire, resulting in the cancellation of 1,351 flights and at least 120 diversions. Accor’s loyalty program, ALL, has surpassed 100 million members globally, though it still trails behind Marriott and Hilton due to its smaller global footprint. Meanwhile, Airbnb is ramping up efforts to attract Chinese outbound travelers with targeted marketing on local platforms and seasonal campaigns following China’s border reopening in 2023. London Heathrow Airport Closed: What We Know So Far Accor’s Loyalty Program Hits 100 Million Members: See Where it Ranks vs. Marriott and Hilton Airbnb Stopped Listing in China - But it Still Wants Chinese Travelers 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Vrbo launched a marketing campaign targeting Airbnb, but Airbnb dismissed it as ineffective, with Skift Research showing Airbnb’s dominant market share of 44% compared to Vrbo’s 9%. Sonesta remains optimistic about strong bookings despite economic concerns and is shifting towards franchising by selling 114 properties, particularly seeing growth in East Coast markets. Meanwhile, IHG has opened Western Europe’s first net-zero hotel in the UK, powered by renewable energy and featuring sustainable practices, while maintaining competitive pricing. Airbnb Calls Vrbo Billboards 'Confused' and 'Desperate' Sonesta CEO: Bookings Are 'Still Strong' as it Aims to Sell 114 Hotels Inside IHG's New 'Net Zero' Hotel 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Marriott International sees India as a key driver of its future growth, with CEO Anthony Capuano emphasizing local leadership, expansion into secondary cities, and tourism development in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson highlighted India's rapid aviation growth, with over 1,000 aircraft on order, a booming loyalty program, and plans to integrate AI for operational efficiency, positioning Indian carriers to dominate outbound travel by 2027. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is considering new travel restrictions affecting up to 43 countries, which may not significantly impact U.S. tourism immediately but could have long-term consequences for global travel policies. Marriott CEO on U.S. Recession Fears and India's Untapped Potential Air India CEO: 'The Power is in Our Hands' to Capture Outbound Travel Demand Trump Travel Ban 2.0: How Many U.S. Visitors Are at Stake? 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

The Trump administration is considering new travel restrictions that could impact up to 43 countries, including full visa bans for 11 nations, citing national security concerns. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched a debit card targeting Gen Z and Millennials, allowing users to earn Wyndham Rewards points on everyday purchases. Meanwhile, the short-term rental market is increasingly dominated by major platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, with Airbnb significantly expanding its market share since 2019. Trump's Next U.S. Travel Ban May Target Dozens of Countries Wyndham Launches U.S. Debit Card to Target Gen Z Short-Term Rentals: Airbnb's Dominance and Booking's Gains in 1 Chart 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Radisson is prioritizing an "owner-first" approach to its expansion, adding a record 40,000 guest rooms last year and planning significant growth in China. Riyadh Air sees India as a key market for its global network, with increasing Indian visitor numbers and transit flight potential. Skift Research estimates the global accommodation market generated $1.2 trillion in 2023, with moderate growth expected, Asia-Pacific set to overtake Europe, and business travel spending surpassing pre-COVID levels. Radisson's Growth Plan: Fewer Rules for Hotel Owners, China Focus India to Play ‘Crucial’ Role in Riyadh Air’s Global Network Trends in Global Accommodations: Asia-Pacific’s Rise and Business Travel’s Comeback 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

Southwest Airlines reversed its long-standing “bags fly free” policy after its expected gains from listing flights on Google Flights, Kayak, and Expedia failed to materialize, prompting the airline to reconsider its distribution strategy. Meanwhile, Canadian visits to the U.S. have declined post-pandemic, with a significant drop in car travel and vacation rental bookings, influenced by past political and economic tensions. Lastly, ahead of the Skift India Forum, industry leaders highlight ten rising women shaping India's travel sector, including executives from Marriott and FCM Travel India, who emphasize the growing role of women in leadership positions. Southwest Didn't Get the Gains It Expected From New Online Booking Channels Canada Is the Top Source of U.S. Travel – Now Visits Are Trending Down The Women Driving India’s Travel Revolution Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

Airbnb is revamping its experiences offerings by focusing on mainstream attractions and professional tour guides, signaling a shift from its original emphasis on niche activities. Southwest Airlines is ending its long-standing “bags fly free” policy under pressure from Elliott Investment Management, a move that could impact its loyal customer base. Meanwhile, Lufthansa Group reported a 16% rise in total emissions in 2024 but saw a slight decrease in passenger-related emissions due to more fuel-efficient aircraft. Airbnb Experiences: New Details Point to Direct Competition with Viator and GetYourGuide Southwest’s Gamble: It’s Now Just Like Every Other Airline Lufthansa’s Mixed Climate Progress: More Efficient Aircraft but Emissions Rise  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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews (https://www.youtube.com/@SkiftNews) and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Booking Holdings is preparing for AI chatbot integration in travel but does not see them replacing online travel agencies, as travelers trust specialists for major purchases. Airline group IAG has allocated $217 million for startup investments to enhance customer experience, operations, and sustainability. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines has lowered its quarterly revenue and profit forecasts due to economic uncertainty, citing factors like mass layoffs and potential tariffs. 4 Reasons AI Chatbots Won’t Become Online Travel Agencies: Booking Holdings CFO IAG Pledges $217 Million for Startup Investments Through New Venture Arm Delta Lowers Outlook, Cites Decline in Consumer and Corporate Confidence 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/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews (https://www.youtube.com/@SkiftNews) and never miss an update from the travel industry.