The travel industry is poised for growth in 2025, with Skift Research predicting a 9% increase in global travel spending, led by a 14% surge in India. However, challenges such as rising labor costs and slow economic growth in Europe and China could temper progress. Meanwhile, Accor is expanding its luxury offerings, including launching the ultra-luxury Orient Express brand, and Casago's acquisition of Vacasa signals shifts in the vacation rental market, with plans to sell local operations and establish franchise agreements.

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.

Hyatt is in talks to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts, expanding its all-inclusive resort footprint in the Caribbean and Mexico, while Despegar has agreed to a $1.7 billion cash buyout by Prosus slated to close in 2025. Additionally, a Skift Research report suggests hotel websites could overtake online travel agencies (OTAs) by 2030, though there’s debate about whether major brands’ direct booking growth will offset independent hotels’ continued reliance on OTAs.

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.

Hyatt has partnered with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, allowing guests to book through Hyatt’s platforms and participate in its loyalty program, marking a major expansion in Las Vegas with 7,000 rooms as leisure and group travel surges. Meanwhile, Lark Hospitality and Life House Hotels announced a joint venture creating one of North America’s largest operators of boutique hotels, encompassing a $1 billion portfolio of 97 properties across 27 states. Lastly, the TSA anticipates screening nearly 40 million travelers during the 2024 holiday season, with record-breaking volumes expected on December 20, 27, and 30.

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.

Hilton plans to grow its luxury hotel portfolio in Asia-Pacific by leveraging long-term owner relationships and a tailored regional approach rather than acquisitions, despite strong local competition. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has introduced a rule banning junk fees in travel, requiring upfront disclosure of total costs for hotels, short-term rentals, and online travel agencies. Lastly, new OAG data highlights Asia-Pacific’s dominance in both international and domestic air routes, with Hong Kong-Taipei and Jeju-Seoul Gimpo ranking as the busiest routes for 2024.

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.

Belmond, a luxury brand under LVMH, is expanding its portfolio with new high-end trains, private villas, and Michelin-starred experiences to meet the growing demand for immersive travel. Meanwhile, family-run hotels are winning over travelers who prefer understated, personal experiences over ostentatious, cookie-cutter luxury. Finally, the debate over sustainable aviation fuel continues, with ambitious targets and strong industry resistance highlighting the challenges of going green in the aviation sector.

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.

Marriott is expanding into outdoor travel by acquiring Postcard Cabins and partnering with Trailborn, integrating them into its booking systems and loyalty program. Amadeus CEO Luis Maroto highlights the importance of continued investment and M&A opportunities to maintain relevance, particularly in modern airline retail technology like NDC. FAA chief Mike Whitaker announced his resignation, leaving challenges like air traffic modernization and Boeing oversight for the next administration.

Story Links

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.

Travel industry insiders anticipate that another Trump term could impact their business, though reactions range from neutral to positive – and personal concerns linger. New regulatory obstacles complicate the future of the FTC’s junk fee rule, and state-level actions are stepping in. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup plans may boost tourism but face ongoing human rights scrutiny, despite promising accommodations across five host cities.

Story Links

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.

Skift's annual Megatrends highlight key shifts in the travel industry. The rise of “quiet luxury” reflects affluent travelers' preference for personal and understated experiences, prompting owner-operated hotels to cater to this demand with curated stays. Meanwhile, hotels are enhancing their direct booking platforms with AI, predictive analytics, and immersive tools to compete with online travel agencies. Lastly, cool destinations like Norway and Greenland are gaining popularity, driven by social media and climate-conscious travelers, though sustainable infrastructure remains crucial.

Story links:

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.

Cruise lines are investing in private destinations to reduce overcrowding, ensure tailored port experiences, and mitigate regional instabilities, with major players like Royal Caribbean and Carnival planning expansions through 2027. In tourism, Skift CEO Rafat Ali highlights the oversimplification of local cuisines for travelers, suggesting farm-to-table initiatives and promoting authentic food experiences as solutions. Meanwhile, Hilton has reached 1,000 hotels in Asia Pacific, driven by booming domestic tourism in China and India and the rise of the middle class, with Southeast Asia showing significant growth potential.

Story Links

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.

Skift highlights the rise of "Live Tourism," where major events like concerts and sports championships drive economic growth for destinations, benefiting local businesses and boosting travel demand. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines raises its revenue guidance for Q4, citing strong travel demand and efficiency measures. Lastly, a federal judge rejected Boeing's plea deal regarding the 737 Max crashes over diversity concerns, giving the company and the Justice Department 30 days to revise their agreement.

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.