March 18, 2026

Travelers Reroute From UAE, Delta Demand Surges, Hyatt Expands

5 minutes

Travelers are pivoting away from the Middle East as the Iran war continues, Delta says demand remains strong despite soaring fuel costs, and Hyatt launches a push into smaller U.S. markets with new non-luxury brands.

On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how travel demand is redistributing globally during the Middle East crisis, why premium travelers are helping airlines offset higher fuel prices, and how Hyatt is racing to fill gaps in smaller U.S. markets where competitors already dominate.

This episode is presented by Lodgify!

Articles Referenced:

Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
With UAE Tourism in Crisis, Here’s Where Travelers Are Going Instead
Delta CEO Says Demand Is Up, Despite High Jet Fuel Costs
Hyatt’s Catch-Up Play: Non-Luxury Brands in Smaller Markets

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