GMH Hotels: Loyalty Reset, Talent Crunch, Travel AI & That Outrageous Travel Story
Good Morning Hospitality
11/19/25
•33m
About
Comments
Featured In
On this episode of GMH, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a lineup of stories shaping the hotel and travel landscape. 🎙️
They start with Hilton’s major loyalty overhaul, a new top-tier status, and lowered thresholds that could reshape how travelers climb the elite ladder.
They then look at how both Hilton and Marriott International are responding to the hotel industry’s ongoing talent crisis as brands compete for workers in a tightening labor market.
Sarah and Steve also explore how the U.S. is prioritizing visa appointments ahead of the World Cup, a move expected to influence visitor flows and demand across major host cities.
Plus, they dig into Google’s push into agentic AI travel booking and what this could mean for hotels, guests, and distribution.
And to close the show, they bring an “outrageous travel story of the week” inspired by two unbelievable real-world incidents, a wild moment you’ll have to tune in for! 🐷
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts: Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn Steve Turk – LinkedIn
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.
Previous Episode
Airbnb/Expedia Earnings & Discount-Driven Growth
November 17, 2025
•33m
Today on Good Morning Hospitality, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane break down the latest earnings results from Airbnb and Expedia Group.
A quarter defined by discounting, flexible payment options, and a surge in “reserve now, pay later” bookings.
They examine how these strategies helped drive strong performance for both platforms and raise the big question hanging over the industry: Is this level of demand sustainable once the promotional fuel burns off?
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts: Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn Jamie Lane – LinkedIn Michael Goldin – LinkedIn
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.
Next Episode
Google’s AI Booking Move and World Cup Demand Signals for STRs
November 24, 2025
•34m
On today’s Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Jamie Lane, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin break down Google’s latest step into agentic travel planning. This system can build, price, and coordinate full itineraries, yet insists it has "no intention" of becoming an OTA. The crew explores what this means for hotels, short-term rentals, platforms, and anyone competing for consumer discovery and booking flows.
Jamie also unveils brand-new data tracking World Cup demand across short-term rentals, including early signals on ADRs, booking pace, and which cities are heating up faster than expected. As the biggest travel event of 2026 approaches, the team looks at how STR markets are shifting in real time and what operators should be preparing for now.
Plus, quick shoutouts to two recent fundraises from BoomPop and Localbird before diving into the week’s biggest trends shaping hospitality and travel.
Presented by Lodgify
Follow the Hosts: Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn Jamie Lane – LinkedIn Michael Goldin – LinkedIn
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.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted