✔ Google's Power Grab

 
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The Daily
Friday March 20, 2026

Good morning, readers.

Google is pushing ahead on AI-powered purchasing, even as OpenAI pulls back. Hilton is bringing Yotel into its system through a new partnership model. And the U.S. is adding new barriers for inbound travelers.

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Travel Technology
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Adriana Lee
Travel Tech Reporter
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Image by Google

Google is expanding agentic shopping with new updates to UCP, an open protocol that enables AI to transact, with travel likely to follow later.

  • Google's new capabilities for UCP include cart management and real-time catalog access. 
  • Travel remains excluded from UCP for now, though project documentation lists it under "What's Next." 
  • Developers are working out how the protocol can work for the complexities of travel bookings. 
Get The Full Story On Skift
Hotels
Luke Martin
Luke Martin
Hospitality Reporter
Yotel-Boston-Exterior (1)
Image by Yotel

Hilton has signed a franchise agreement with UK-based hotel chain Yotel, making it the first brand to sit under the new Select by Hilton brand.

  • The deal brings Yotel into Hilton's distribution and commercial systems.
  • Yotel properties will become bookable through Hilton channels in 2026.
  • The arrangement offers Hilton a way to add hotels to its site and app without buying, running a company, or building a brand from scratch.
    Get The Full Story On Skift
    hotels

    Hotel Margins Are Shrinking — Tax Compliance Is Part of the Problem

    Together With
    Avalara
    A new report highlights lodging tax challenges and why they can't be ignored.
    • An inside look at what non-compliance costs hotels in today's environment 
    • How AI is leading efforts for tax compliance efficiency 
    get the full story on skift
    Tourism
    Rashaad Jorden
    Rashaad Jorden
    Associate Editor/Archivist
    30519289304_2a22db5496_k (1)
    Image by Flickr/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

    The Trump administration has added 12 nations to its visa bond policy, bringing the total number to 50. 

    • Travelers from those countries may be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.
    • The expansion of the policy comes at a time when inbound tourism to the U.S. is struggling to make a full recovery.
    • Five African countries on the list have qualified for this year's World Cup, which is expected to draw millions of visitors.
    Get The Full Story On Skift
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