Home Swapping Heats Up, World Cup Costs & OTA AI Anxiety
Good Morning Hospitality
02/09/26
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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.
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Previous Episode
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.
Next Episode
On today’s episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down Marriott International’s credit card surge and what it signals for loyalty-driven revenue.
They also examine MGM Resorts International powering its Las Vegas Strip properties with solar energy, and why the 2026 Winter Olympics are shaping up to be a logistical stress test for travelers and hotels alike.
Plus, can Bad Bunny’s cultural moment in Puerto Rico convert into real bookings?
And in the unhinged story of the week, a 71-year-old mom goes viral for assembling deli-style sandwiches mid-flight — sparking a debate over airplane etiquette at 30,000 feet.
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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