🌍 Accor's Done Reinventing

Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin believes the company's frequent reinventions are a thing of the past as it turns its focus to executing its goals.

The Daily February 28, 2025

Good morning, readers. Accor underwent four reorganizations in the decade after Sébastien Bazin took over the Paris-based company in 2013, but that period of transformation is over. Now Accor is busy in several areas as it looks to beef up its luxury portfolio and remain dominant in Europe.

You are not currently a paid subscriber and have limited access to skift.com news stories. Subscribe today.

Hotels Accor CEO Talks Luxury and Purging Weak Hotels

Image by Accor

Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin believes the company's frequent reinventions are a thing of the past as it turns its focus to executing its goals. Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O'Neill provides highlights from Bazin's remarks to the media on Thursday in New York City: Bazin acknowledged that Accor has often trailed its American competitors in building lifestyle — or non-traditional — hotels and adding members to its loyalty program.  Accor has made inroads in the luxury and ultra-luxury segments, with the company set to debut the first two Orient Express overnight trains next year with French luxury titan LVMH.  Accor has been intentionally removing properties that don't meet brand standards at a pace twice as high as its American rivals – Bazin said the purge will continue throughout the year.  Get the Full Story on Skift

Experiences How AlUla Is Redefining Luxury Travel for the Modern Explorer

The luxury travel sector is shifting towards deeper cultural engagement and authenticity. AlUla is carving out its niche in the industry by offering travelers exclusive access to one of the world's most ancient civilizations. Read the Full Story Sponsored by AlUla

Airlines U.S. Plans to Increase Air Traffic Controller Hiring

Image by Adobe Stock/Tada Images

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration plans to significantly increase air traffic controller hiring. Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi explains: The FAA has a hiring window for air traffic controller applicants from February 27 to March 17 while the Department of Transportation plans to raise starting salaries by 30% for air traffic controllers who go through training at the FAA Academy.  The airline industry is still grappling with a dire air traffic controller shortage, which the FAA has previously said could last until the 2030s.  Elon Musk, who is leading efforts to cut government spending, sent out an appeal on X on Thursday for retired air traffic controllers to return to their former positions. Get the Full Story on Skift

Airlines Qantas Targets 2027 Debut for Flights to New York and London From Sydney

Image by Unsplash/Dan Freeman

Qantas aims to debut nonstop flights from New York and London to Sydney in 2027. Airlines Editor Gordon Smith has more on Qantas' plans: Qantas' plans to connect Australia's East Coast with North America and Europe are part of its "Project Sunrise," a name that hints at the two sunrises that many travelers will see during those long-haul flights.  Qantas is working with Airbus to develop a specially modified version of its popular A350 plane.  The A350-1000ULR, which would be able to fly further than any other civil aircraft and bring key Qantas destinations into nonstop reach, is currently in development. Get the Full Story on Skift

More From Skift

Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO on Middle East and Russia, Taxes, and New Private Island Behind Flywire's $330 Million Acquisition of Sertifi – and What's Next Wynn Resorts Confirms Two Gaming Areas at UAE's First Casino Resort European Travel in 2025: Where Budgets Are Rising, Falling & Shifting Exclusive: Abercrombie & Kent Unveils Rebrand and Luxury Travel Magazine How Gen Z in India Travel: Spontaneous Yet Budget-Conscious

Skift Travel 200: Top Movers

Booking Holdings 4,918.13 -2.31%

Airbnb 139.45 -3.18%

Marriott International 277.21 -1.53%

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.

Today's Calendar

Amadeus earnings Sphere Entertainment earnings  International Airlines Group (IAG) earnings

Don't Miss Out

We love feedback here at The Skift Daily. If you've got thoughts, we want to hear from you. Drop us a line at thedaily@skift.com   Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Click here to cut out the middle person.

Defining the future of travel. Follow us: LinkedIn  |   X  |   Facebook  |   Whatsapp  |   Bluesky  |   Threads 35 W 31st St.,  New York,  NY,  10001,  USA You received this because you are subscribed to Newsletter | The Daily from Skift. For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.

If you'd like to unsubscribe from this email, click here If you'd like to receive fewer emails, click here If someone shared this email with you and you would like to subscribe, visit our newsletters page on Skift