GMH Hotels: Soho House Deal, TikTok Goes Hotel, and Spirit Airlines at Risk
Good Morning Hospitality
08/20/25
•32m
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In this week’s episode, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk unpack Soho House & Co’s $2.7B move to go private and what it means for the future of luxury lifestyle clubs, plus the risks of influencers relying on ChatGPT for visa advice after one viral travel mishap.
They also explore TikTok’s push into travel commerce with its new affiliate program for hotels, raising questions about whether social content can truly drive bookings.
On the travel side, Spirit Airlines’ uncertain future looms large as experts warn its collapse could send fares soaring, while Google Flights adds AI-powered “Flight Deals” that may challenge OTAs, and AAA forecasts record Labor Day travel across air, road, and rail.
Follow the Hosts: Steve Turk – LinkedIn Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Connect with Skift:
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Previous Episode
Airbnb’s BNPL Move, Expedia’s Design Play & Weather-Backed Stays
August 18, 2025
•29m
This Monday, the GMH Short-Term Rental Crew, with Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dive into the latest moves shaping the STR and travel landscape.
Airbnb rolls out its new “Reserve Now, Pay Later” option, signaling a shift toward more flexible booking terms that could boost conversions for longer stays. BNPL trends are expanding across airlines, hotels, and cruises, raising questions about guest spending habits and potential adoption in vacation rentals.
Expedia Group makes a strategic design hire with Rachel Been as SVP, underscoring the power of user experience in driving loyalty.
Sonder faces a leadership shake-up with the departure of CFO Michael Hughes, while Vrbo’s WeatherPromise program offers automatic payouts for rain-affected stays—no claims required—hinting at new ways to protect and reassure travelers.
The hosts unpack what these changes mean for operators, platforms, and guests, and explore how innovation, design, and traveler trust are becoming critical in the competition for bookings.
This episode is brought to you by Guesty!
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
Vrbo Flexes Cancellations, Viator Pressure, Casago’s Franchise Bet
August 25, 2025
•32m
This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley and Jamie Lane dive into the latest shifts shaping short-term rentals and travel. Vrbo’s new guest cancellation policy aims to increase flexibility and bookings but raises concerns from hosts about risk and revenue stability.
Tripadvisor faces investor pressure to spin off Viator, signaling how tours and experiences are becoming central to the travel ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Casago doubles down on its franchise model, taking over hundreds of former Vacasa properties to push a localized, service-driven approach.
Join us as we break down what these moves mean for hosts, managers, and the future of the STR industry.
This episode is brought to you by Guesty!
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.
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