🏖️ AI Tourism Boom

The ChatGPT-powered boom in artificial intelligence — as well as the .ai domain — is impacting Anguilla's tourism industry:

The Daily December 23, 2024

Good morning, readers. Anguilla is a small island in possession of two enormously powerful letters — or more accurately, the .ai domain. So how important is Anguilla's ownership of the domain? Well, it's generating a lot of money for the British territory, and we delve into how that revenue could change tourism to the island.

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Tourism Anguilla's Enormously Lucrative Asset

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The Caribbean island of Anguilla owns one of the world's most lucrative pieces of digital real estate: the .ai domain. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit explains how the ChatGPT-powered boom in artificial intelligence — as well as that domain — is impacting the island's tourism industry: In 2023, Anguilla took in approximately $30 million from .ai registrations and renewals, which equaled about 20% of the island's revenue that year and a number the island anticipates doubling in 2024.  Much of the .ai revenue is being funneled into projects to bolster the travel sector, with the biggest initiative being Anguilla's airport.  However, plans to use .ai revenue to expand the airport to help bring in more tourists have been met with pockets of resistance.  Get the Full Story on Skift

Airlines Indianapolis Gets Boost From New Long-Haul Jets

Image by Aer Lingus

Airbus recently provided the first A321XLR plans to Irish national carrier Aer Lingus. Airlines Editor Gordon Smith explains how the new aircraft will benefit cities that currently receive limited or no transatlantic service, like Indianapolis: Aer Lingus will fly nonstop from Dublin to Indianapolis four times a week using the A321XLR starting May 3. Indianapolis has been without nonstop transatlantic service ever since Delta Air Lines ended its Flight 500, which serviced Paris, after the pandemic. Nashville, a city that currently has nonstop transatlantic service to only London Heathrow via British Airways, is also due to receive long-haul air service with Aer Lingus using the new Airbus plane. Get the Full Story on Skift

Q&A Accor's Maud Bailly On How Sofitel Is Redefining Luxury Hospitality

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to luxury hospitality, but Accor believes it's up to major brands in the space to push the envelope. After a major rebranding, Sofitel has taken up the mantle of redefining luxury by investing heavily in team training, taking a stand for sustainability, and more. Read the Full Story Sponsored by Accor Group

Cruises Carnival's Record-Breaking Year

Image by Carnival Corp

Carnival Corp., the world's largest cruise operator, is beaming after what it considers a massively successful 2024. Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O'Neill delves into why Carnival is optimistic going into the new year: Carnival said it notched records for revenue and net income this year, with the company generating $1.9 billion in net income and $25 billion in revenue for the 12 months through November 30.  CE Josh Weinstein expects another banner year in 2025, in large part due to what he sees as "record booking trends and record customer deposits," with earnings growth of about 20%. Carnival is betting big on owned "private destinations" like the new Celebration Key opening in July 2025 to help drive incremental gains in revenue and margin. Get the Full Story on Skift

Q&A How Abu Dhabi Plans to Capture the Underexplored Travel Market

As traditionally popular destinations buckle under the pressure of overtourism, Abu Dhabi is cleverly positioning itself as the smarter alternative for discerning travellers who value meaningful engagement. Read the Full Story Sponsored by Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism

More From Skift

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Skift Travel 200: Top Movers

Booking Holdings 5,048.59 +1.37%

Airbnb 134.21 +3.76%

Marriott International 283.96 +1.77%

Source: The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. Go to the Skift Travel 200. Stock data as of market close.

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