GMH Hotels: Travel Anxiety, Brand Boom & In-Flight Brawls
Good Morning Hospitality
02/18/26
•31m
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On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk explore how the travel industry is turning anxiety into profit — from insurance add-ons to premium flexibility — and what that means for modern travelers.
They also break down IHG Hotels & Resorts’s launch of its 21st brand, Noted Collection by IHG, and the continued expansion of hotel brand portfolios, plus the pullback of complimentary breakfast perks at major chains and the impact on loyalty perception.
The episode rounds out with Spirit Airlines selling 20 aircraft while recalling furloughed crew — signaling recalibration in the ultra-low-cost model.
And in the Unhinged Story of the Week, a Jet2.com and Jet2holidays flight is diverted after a mid-air passenger brawl, while another traveler goes viral for destroying airport kiosks — proof that travel stress is hitting new heights.
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Previous Episode
Airbnb AI Flex, STR Demand Data & Casago Shakeup
February 16
•38m
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Jamie Lane, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin dive into the latest shifts across short-term rentals and online travel.
They start with Brian Chesky dismissing rivals’ chatbots and arguing that Airbnb’s AI advantage is rooted in its marketplace and community data, then unpack Airbnb’s new report positioning STRs as a critical pressure valve for lodging demand during peak travel periods.
The conversation then turns to Expedia Group’s Q4 2025 earnings, where stronger B2B results helped offset softer consumer trends, before closing on leadership tension at Casago as franchisees react to shifting power dynamics. The episode wraps with a broader look at AI strategy, consolidation, and who really controls distribution in today’s STR ecosystem.
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
Fundraising Uptick, Airbnb Strategy Shifts & OTA Headwinds
February 23
•34m
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dig into the latest headlines shaping online travel, short-term rentals, and platform strategy.
Otamiser has secured $2M in fresh capital to scale its AI-driven revenue platform for hotels and STR operators, highlighting continued investor interest in tech that boosts OTA visibility and revenue.
Airbnb is testing loyalty benefits — exploring non-traditional perks and potential paid-member mechanics that CEO Brian Chesky says could be a “massive accelerant” for repeat stays.
The team also breaks down how Airbnb’s hotel strategy is expanding far beyond pilot programs into broader markets, revisiting its competitive stance versus OTAs like Booking.com and others.
Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg acknowledged in a confidential memo that recent share price volatility and investor frustration with slow AI progress are weighing on the business, while Sabre Corporation announced layoffs and leadership reshuffles as it pivots toward becoming an “AI-native” tech provider.
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