⚽ World Cup Wish List

A new group backed by the U.S. Travel Association is working to prepare the country for a visitor surge ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

View in browser Unsubscribe Tuesday October 28, 2025 Good morning, readers. A U.S. Travel Association-backed coalition is pushing to make sure the U.S. is ready to host the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Wyndham's new loyalty program raises a fundamental question: Can travel companies make subscription economics work? And direct flights connecting India and China resumed recently. Tourism   Bailey Schulz Global Tourism Reporter Image by Wikimedia Commons/SachinDaluja U.S. Travel's New Coalition Following a sluggish year for inbound tourism, the America's Sports & Travel Mega Event Coalition, a new group backed by the U.S. Travel Association, is working to prepare the country for a visitor surge ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Erik Hansen, a U.S. Travel executive, said the group would look to build a more "efficient and modern application process" for international tourists facing long visa wait times.  Hansen added the coalition will be looking for ways to keep visitor visa costs down. It also wants to speed up the arrival process for U.S. citizens by rolling out upgraded biometric technology in more airports.  Get The Full Story On Skift Event | October 29-30 Skift Global Forum East is This Week Skift Global Forum East kicks off this week in Abu Dhabi, beginning with the Opening Reception on Wednesday, October 29. The event spotlights how the Middle East is driving travel's future and shaping the industry's new power centers. Join leaders and innovators as they define the next chapter for global travel. RESERVE YOUR SEAT Hotels   Sean O'Neill Senior Hospitality Editor Image by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Can Hotels Make Subscription Loyalty Programs Work? Wyndham recently launched the $95-a-year Wyndham Rewards Insider, the first major experiment in a paid loyalty program by a U.S.-based hotel group. For $95 a year, Wyndham Rewards Insider gives members discounts that stack on top of promotional rates. The company is pitching the program as being able to pay for itself after just one trip, effectively acknowledging many subscribers won't travel frequently enough to justify ongoing fees. Many frequent travelers already have a travel-based credit card program that offers perks, and may not want to add another recurring fee. Get The Full Story On Skift New Research 5 Ways to Diversify Revenue Growth Together With   ZS Our latest report examines how travel brands must diversify beyond traditional categories to stay competitive amid financial uncertainty and industry consolidation. It introduces ZS's 5As Framework to help companies identify and monetize non-core assets, supported by survey insights and case studies showing both the opportunities and challenges of revenue innovation. Get the Free Report on Skift Airlines   Peden Doma Bhutia Asia Editor Image by IndiGo India-China Flights Take Off Again Direct flights between India and China have resumed after a five-year pause following the pandemic and subsequent border tensions. IndiGo's flight from Kolkata to Guangzhou on Sunday marked the return of nonstop air connectivity between the two countries. China Eastern Airlines recently announced it would resume flights between Shanghai and Delhi from November 9. More routes connecting the two countries could follow, with Air India expected to restart its Delhi-Shanghai flights later this year.  Get The Full Story On Skift Editor's Picks   Rashaad Jorden Associate Editor/Archivist Tourism U.S. to Expand Facial Recognition For International Travelers   Airlines Delta to Fly to Riyadh Starting October 2026 Get More News On Skift   SKIFT PRO       With a subscription to Skift Pro, you get full access to the in-depth reporting, exclusive interviews, and breaking news that the Skift Editorial team produce – as well as the travel industry's premier AI answer engine and Skift Travel 200 stock index. SAVE 20% ON YOUR FIRST YEAR Defining the future of travel. Skift. 35 W 31st St., New York, NY, 10001, USA Follow Us: LinkedIn   |  X   |  Facebook   |  Whatsapp   |  Bluesky   |  Threads 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.