GMH Hotels: Disney’s CEO Shift, Marriott’s AI Push & Ryanair Drama
Good Morning Hospitality
02/04/26
•37m
About
Comments
Featured In
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, hosts Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down the latest power shifts, brand battles, and cultural moments shaping travel and hospitality.
The discussion opens with The Walt Disney Company tapping parks chief Josh D’Amaro as CEO, signaling a growing emphasis on experiences, operations, and guest loyalty. Sarah and Steve then unpack Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano’s strategy—from midscale expansion and global growth to navigating AI disruption and defending premium brands.
They also examine whether independent boutique hotels can survive as corporate lifestyle brands scale the aesthetic, and what Accor’s ChatGPT integration says about the fight for early-stage travel discovery.
The episode wraps with a viral Ryanair fashion debate and this week’s Unhinged Story featuring a TikTok-famous in-flight moment that only travel could deliver.
Connect with Skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Previous Episode
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down the latest headlines shaping travel and lodging.
They cover concerns that the U.S. is missing a major opportunity for international tourism growth, a new lawsuit targeting major booking platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, and Expedia Group’s latest round of layoffs.
The episode wraps with a look at how Super Bowl travel is impacting short-term rentals and local communities as big events continue to stress housing markets.
Next Episode
Home Swapping Heats Up, World Cup Costs & OTA AI Anxiety
February 9
•31m
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, a Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Wil Slickers break down the latest headlines shaping short-term rentals and online travel — from new funding bets to investor jitters around AI.
They start with Kindred’s $125 million funding round, unpacking why investors are backing home swapping as a lower-cost, lower-friction alternative to traditional short-term rentals and hotels.
The conversation then turns to the FIFA World Cup 2026TM - Canada, Mexico and the United States, and how host cities are bracing for rising prices, tighter regulations, and growing scrutiny of Airbnb as mega-events collide with local housing markets.
The episode also checks in on OTA stocks, where analysts say recent sell-offs in Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) and Expedia Group reflect AI anxiety more than weakening travel demand. Both Mizuho and Baird argue fundamentals remain strong, with OTAs likely to stay powerful distribution players even as AI reshapes search.
Connect with Skift:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted