Skift

13/10/2025

Delta’s Amex Numbers Show Its Growing Bet on Wealthy Travelers

- Delta reported record quarterly revenues, largely driven by its loyalty program and partnership with American Express.

- A significant portion of Delta's revenue comes from high-income travelers, with nearly 95% of revenue from households earning at least $100,000.

- Premium credit cards not only generate revenue but also influence Delta's network decisions, with high demand for these cards despite rising annual fees.

https://hubs.li/Q03NjVlt0

13/10/2025

At Skift Global Forum East last year, Jim Murren, CEO and Executive Chairman of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, captured one of the defining shifts in travel:

“This confluence of sports, entertainment, and hospitality is absolutely an incredibly important trend that's going to continue for the foreseeable future, and I think it's going to really jumpstart many of the regions that are hosting those events.”

He’ll be speaking again this year, as that transformation continues to accelerate - reshaping destinations, traveler expectations, and the global travel landscape.

Join us at Skift Global Forum East 2025 to see how these forces are redefining the future of travel.
Secure your seat: https://hubs.li/Q03NhRlC0

13/10/2025

From anxiety-free flights to custom pup itineraries, Bark Air is taking pet travel to new heights. The world’s first dog-first airline is expanding its mission beyond the skies with new concierge services and partnerships designed to make travel seamless for dogs and their humans.

https://hubs.li/Q03Nh_Z90
Sponsored by Bark Air

13/10/2025

Virgin Atlantic gets a new boss:

- Corneel Koster, currently chief customer and operating officer, will become CEO of Virgin Atlantic at the end of 2025, succeeding Shai Weiss.

- Koster played a key role in Virgin Atlantic's operational and digital transformation and helped stabilize the airline during the pandemic.

- Outgoing CEO Shai Weiss is credited with steering the airline through the Covid-19 crisis and restoring its financial stability.

Virgin Atlantic is turning to an internal leader with deep operational roots as it prepares for its next chapter.

13/10/2025

From Friday: Hollywood mogul Ari Emanuel is betting on sports tourism’ continued growth with the launch of a new global events and experiences company called Mari.

The launch comes as live tourism – or travel for major events and experiences – is surging, with travelers planning trips around major spectacles like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour or the FIFA World Cup.

Holding company Mari’s portfolio includes international tennis events spanning from Miami to Madrid to Macau.

13/10/2025

Ranking the Top Hotel Loyalty Programs:

- H World Group leads major hotel loyalty programs with the highest members-per-room ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors have the largest absolute memberships.

- Hotel loyalty programs are growing rapidly, with member rolls increasing much faster than hotel room counts, helping hotels drive direct bookings and reduce customer acquisition costs.

- Despite the surge in memberships, many accounts are likely inactive, as average member engagement (nights booked) has declined from historical highs.

A new Skift ranking of 14 hotel groups measures how many loyalty program members each company has relative to their inventory of hotel rooms.

13/10/2025

- Hackers leaked personal data of 5.7 million Qantas customers following a failed ransom demand after a June cyberattack.

- The breach originated from a compromised third-party platform and affected more than 40 global companies, exposing names, emails, and frequent flyer data but not credit card or passport details.

- Qantas is investigating the incident with cybersecurity experts, and executive bonuses were reduced in response to the breach.

Hackers have leaked personal data from 5.7 million Qantas customers, the airline said Sunday, the latest fallout from a June cyberattack that compromised

12/10/2025

Kyoto to Hit Visitors With Japan’s Highest-Ever Hotel Tax

- Kyoto will implement Japan's highest-ever hotel tax, charging up to 10,000 yen ($67) per person per night for luxury stays starting March 1, 2026.

- The new tax rates aim to help the city manage overtourism and improve infrastructure, with projected lodging tax revenue expected to double.

- Other Japanese regions, including Okinawa, are also adopting or considering new accommodation taxes in response to record-high tourist arrivals.

https://hubs.ly/Q03NclYz0

12/10/2025

Wyndham’s Global Playbook: Core Markets Plus Bets on ‘The Next Big Thing’

- Wyndham is diversifying its growth strategy by targeting undervalued markets such as Turkey, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, and introducing budget and midscale hotels where global brands are scarce.

- Conversions are a primary focus in Europe due to limited new builds, while in other regions, Wyndham pursues both new construction and conversions to expand its footprint.

- The company is investing in branded residences for midscale buyers and expanding all-inclusive offerings, while preparing to launch new brand initiatives and deepen partnerships.

https://hubs.li/Q03NcldM0

12/10/2025

Corporate Travel Agencies Take Steps to Cope With Client Demands

- Corporations are demanding stricter cost controls, real-time spending visibility, and greener travel options, while employees seek flexibility and modern booking tools.

- Travel management companies are expanding hotel and rail options, integrating short-term rentals, and leveraging data and AI to align policies and behavior.

- Despite technology advances, gaps remain between corporate policies and traveler actions, with persistent booking leakage and uneven adoption of new options.

https://hubs.li/Q03Ncl950

12/10/2025

Travel to the European Union is about to look different.

Starting today, the EU will begin the six-month rollout of a new “Entry/Exit System” that requires fingerprint scans and photos and for short-term stays in 29 countries.

The new travel rules – which will eventually replace passport stamps – are meant to boost security, combat identity fraud and irregular migration, and make border crossings more efficient in the long run, but they could also mean longer lines for travelers in the near term.

The European Union is rolling out a new “Entry/Exit System” that requires fingerprint scans and photos and for short-term stays.

12/10/2025

Despite heightened media attention on 'Airbnb squatters' in France, incidents of guests refusing to leave short-term rentals are exceedingly rare according to industry experts and legal professionals. Legal loopholes make it difficult for property owners to evict overstaying guests, as they are not classified as traditional squatters under French law, leading to prolonged and expensive court processes. Experts recommend short-term rentals over long-term ones to minimize squatting risks, and suggest hosts use formal contracts and leverage platform protections.

Short-term rental squatting in France remains extremely rare, lawyers say, despite alarming media reports.