April, 2023

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After Sonder, Vacasa Receives Notice of Delisting from Nasdaq

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Like Sonder, Vacasa is another example of a company that went public way too early via a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, merger.

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The Year of Efficiency: How Automation Is Helping Hotels Thrive Amid Labor Shortages

Lodging

Despite the overall U.S. economy adding 517,000 jobs at the beginning of 2023, the leisure and hospitality sector remains understaffed with two million open jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Meanwhile, 79 percent of hoteliers say their hotels are understaffed, and 81 percent are unable to fill open positions, according to American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) research.

Hotels 299
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Why Data Matters When Recruiting People that Will Sell

Anthony Cole Training

Let’s talk about why data matters when recruiting people that WILL sell versus CAN sell. There is a big difference.

Sales 295
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Vista bolsters executive team with addition of two key roles

Hotel Management

Vista Hospitality Group has added two new positions to its executive team as the company prepares for future growth. Jordan Rodgers has been named Regional General Manager while Stuart Nielsen has been appointed to the position of Head of Growth and Development. Rodgers will oversee Vista’s mid-market to luxury hotel operations including Next Melbourne, Ink Melbourne, voco Brisbane, Hotel Indigo Brisbane and The Sebel Canberra along with the collection of Sage and Country Comfort properties arou

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Smart Tools & Strong Teams: A People-First Approach to AI in Sales

Speaker: Matt Sunshine, CEO at The Center for Sales Strategy

AI isn’t replacing salespeople—it’s empowering them. The most forward-thinking sales organizations are using AI to enhance human performance rather than eliminate it. From coaching and messaging to prospecting and pipeline accountability, artificial intelligence is giving managers and SDRs the new tools they need to work smarter, sell better, and close more.

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Trains, Not Planes, Are Increasingly Business Travelers’ Preferred Choice in Europe

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Higher airfares between European hubs and lower carbon emissions are behind a significant shift to trains, with the trend likely to continue for the rest of the year as more rail operators begin competing across borders.

Business 355
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It Is Time to Ditch the Phrase ‘Overtourism’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The phrase "Overtourism" did its job since we coined it in 2016. Now it's time to move on for more nuanced solutions.

Tourism 355

More Trending

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Launching the Skift AI Travel Newsletter

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have the potential to transform sectors across the travel industry. This newsletter will keep you informed every step of the way.

Travel 350
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Walking Tours Incubator in Lower Manhattan Goes Beyond Cliched Excursions

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Scaling a walking tour experience in a famous city like New York isn't only about competing for the masses. It might sound counterintuitive, but five entrepreneurs chosen by the Alliance for Downtown New York will have to do the exact opposite to stand out.

Scale 345
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Expedia Group’s New Loyalty Program Will Have Fans and Critics

Skift Blog

Skift Take: In an era of blended travel, meaning tacking on a weekend vacation rental to a business trip in a hotel, Expedia's new loyalty program would be flexible enough to accommodate this sort of trip mashup.

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Portugal Notches Tourism Record in First Quarter

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Portugal's record tourism points to a strong summer ahead for the country and Europe, as the world sprints back to normal.

Tourism 341
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How to Coach Reps on Overcoming Sales Objections with Confidence

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Global Sales and David Phelan, Account Executive

In a world where buyers are more informed and objections are more nuanced, confidence isn't optional—it’s a competitive advantage. In high-stakes conversations, knowing how to handle pushback can make or break the deal. Join industry experts Brendan Sweeney and David Phelan for a behind-the-scenes look at how teams are transforming sales coaching with real-time feedback, objection-handling role plays, and pre-call preparation that actually sticks.

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Travel Management Company Navan Expands Deeper Into India With Local Agency Acquisition

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Buying up smaller agencies has now become the tried-and-tested method of expansion for Navan, the corporate travel agency formerly known as TripActions. But this approach is highly relevant in India, with its mostly offline corporate travel booking practices.

Travel 340
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Peru’s Machu Picchu Solution: Tour Operators Developing New Trekking Region

Skift Blog

Skift Take: With over 25,000 miles of Inca Main Road to explore, alternative routes to the world-famous Machu Picchu Inca citadel trek are being scouted. And it's long overdue.

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Hyatt Is Buying Hotel Booking Site Mr and Mrs Smith for $66 Million

Skift Blog

Skift Take: This all about the luxury sector, as Hyatt gains the UK-based agency's 1 million higher-spending members and could double the number of boutique and luxury properties it offers.

Hotels 326
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ChatGPT-Powered Travel Planning Chatbots Spur Entrepreneurs to Get in the Game

Skift Blog

Skift Take: With the energy going into some of these travel planning assistants, how long before travel agents are out of jobs? Probably not tomorrow, but what about in a few years?

Travel 326
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Welcome to the Future of Hospitality: Smart Rooms Start Here

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

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Hilton Picks Jaipur to Debut Waldorf Astoria in India

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Hilton plans to make the most of the luxury boom in the India market even as it is cautious about being not too far ahead of the curve.

Marketing 326
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Expedia CEO Looks to AI to ‘Rebalance’ Dependence on Google

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The travel industry has long hoped for something to counter-balance the pecking order in Big Tech. It's not assured, but this time around generative AI could make it happen.

Travel 326
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Saudi’s Seera Mounts Comeback to Report Operating Profit for 2022

Skift Blog

Skift Take: When you have a goal as ambitious as Saudi Arabia's 100 million tourists by 2030, you would surely ensure that travel companies in the country are profitable.

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How to Follow All the AI in Travel Headlines

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Read the top travel news headlines for the past week and learn how to always get the latest insights about travel and AI innovations.

Travel 325
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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Travelers Desire for Greener Trips Collides With Inflation Concerns

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Although some travelers are committed to making their trips greener, the travel industry has struggled to take advantage of that desire due to its inability to provide more affordable and practical sustainable trip options.

Travel 322
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TikTok Ban Would Be a Blow to U.S. International Tourism Marketing

Skift Blog

Skift Take: In the event of a national TikTok ban, U.S. tourism agencies will have to massively increase their investment in Google and Meta companies after losing access to an audience of millions of people around the world.

Tourism 322
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Skift India Daily: Air India Turns to ChatGPT, Algorithmic Pricing for a Reboot

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Can the new artificial intelligence software’s travel recommendations be taken as gospel? Perhaps yes, but for now, let’s leverage the power of the human instead of the alternate human.

Travel 316
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Saudi Arabia Nearly Doubles UAE in Hotel Room Construction

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Destinations in the Middle East understand that to realize their very ambitious tourism goals, they need to create enough infrastructure. Little wonder then that Saudi Arabia is now racing ahead of United Arab Emirates to build more hotel rooms.

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Don't Let AI Pass You By: The New Era of Personalized Sales Coaching & Development

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Sales & Devyn Blume, Sr. Account Executive

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is reshaping sales coaching, learning, and development? Join Brendan Sweeney and Devyn Blume of Allego for an engaging new webinar exploring AI's transformative role in sales coaching and performance improvement! Brendan and Devyn will share actionable insights and strategies for integrating AI into coaching and development - ensuring personalized, effective, and scalable training!

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Swiss Hotel Is a Model for Hiring Staff With Intellectual Disabilities

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Two out of three staff members at Martigny Boutique-Hotel in Switzerland are people with intellectual disabilities. We could all learn a lesson or two from the hotel's inclusive workplace and how the property maintains boutique standards.

Hiring 313
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Airbus in Talks for New China Jet Order Ahead of Macron Visit

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Airlines in China may lean towards Airbus when buying planes because of tensions between Beijing and Washington. That may boost Airbus' sales, especially of its short-haul, single-aisle jets. Poor Boeing.

Sales 311
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The Short-Term Rental Challenge Remains as Demand Outpaced Supply in 2023

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Slower supply growth and high demand aren't always necessarily bad, quite the opposite: They translate into high occupancy rates, and more revenue per booking.

Occupancy 307
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Boutique Hotel Brand Wayfinder to Ride Experiential Hospitality Wave in Waikiki

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The up-and-coming boutique hotel brand Wayfinder is expanding its portfolio with a new Waikiki location. They’ll face steeper competition in Hawaii compared to its first property in Newport, Rhode Island, not to mention it will be the brand’s biggest hotel yet.

Branding 307
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Diving into Diversity: Decoding the Foundations of Inclusion in Hospitality Talent Acquisition

Speaker: Lauren Fernandez - CEO & Founder, Full Course

Companies all over the world, including Marriot International and Hilton Worldwide, are aware of the value of including DEI in their talent acquisition strategy. However, despite these initiatives, there is still plenty that the hospitality sector can do to promote DEI. When comparing the hospitality industries in India, Iraq, the UK, and the US, you will see that there is a consistent underrepresentation of persons from different ethnic, gender, and disability origins across all levels of the i

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India Needs Entirely New Aviation Policy to Meet Its Powerhouse Potential: CAPA

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Though ambitious, CAPA's forecast for the Indian aviation sector is not totally outrageous. A new aviation policy may just be what the country needs.

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The U.S. Hotel Sector Has Seldom Seen Better Days

Skift Blog

Skift Take: CBRE surveys recent performance metrics for U.S. hotels and finds the national figures are better than average on most counts. Plus, other highlights from this week's news in hotel deals and development worldwide.

Hotels 307
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European Airports Headed for More Travel Disruptions During Easter Break

Skift Blog

Skift Take: No, not again! This will further delay the recovery of the aviation sector in Europe.

Travel 307
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Hilton Taps Luxury Portfolio to Arrive at 1,000 Hotels in Asia-Pacific by 2025

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Hilton's decision to focus on its luxury portfolio may be significant. However, with the pent-up demand curve now flattening, it seems the perfect time for the brand to light up the "Spark.

Branding 307
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New Research-Backed Strategies to Empower Managers as Culture & Engagement Leaders

Speaker: Beth Sunshine, SVP, Up Your Culture

When culture isn’t consistently lived out across the organization, engagement suffers—and it often starts with a disconnect at the top. In this session, Beth Sunshine, SVP of Up Your Culture at The Center for Sales Strategy, will reveal how HR and executive leaders can close the gap between vision and execution by equipping frontline and mid-level managers to become culture carriers.