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The White House is planning to send ICE agents to U.S. airports. Marriott could be preparing a 38th brand. And OTA investors are missing how AI is changing travel discovery.

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On April 28-29, Skift Asia Forum brings together the executives shaping the region's next phase of travel growth. Leaders from companies like Hilton, Booking.com, Agoda, and Grab will share how they're scaling demand, navigating disruption, and redefining travel across Asia.

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Airlines

Meghna Maharishi

Airline Reporter

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Image by Tampa International Airport

Trump Administration to Send ICE Agents to Airports

The Trump administration said it will deploy ICE agents to U.S. airports starting Monday to help relieve TSA staffing shortages.

Border czar Tom Homan said that ICE agents would assist at security checkpoints so TSA agents could focus on screenings.
Their presence at U.S. airports could further discourage international travel.
Many U.S. airports have been dealing with long security lines as callouts among TSA agents have spiked due to the partial government shutdown.

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Hotels

Sean O'Neill

Senior Hospitality Editor

image-of-the-lobby-of-the-marriott-headquarters-in-bethesda-maryland-designed-by-gensler (1)

Image by Marriott

Marriott's Next Brand?

Marriott has filed trademarks and registered related web domains for "Matter Hotels by Marriott," a sign the company may be preparing to add another brand to its portfolio.

The trademark filing comes just days after CEO Anthony Capuano identified specific "whitespace" in the group's "brand architecture."
What Marriott is really selling is another on-ramp into its loyalty ecosystem.
Capuano recently identified several "opportunities," including wellness and midscale growth.

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hotels

How Hospitality Brands Are Earning Loyalty Across the Journey

allianz partners

When travel stakes are high, protection becomes hospitality's loyalty driver. We explore how brands can transform protection into a hallmark of modern hospitality - one that safeguards guests' journeys, strengthens relationships, and turns disruption into moments of care.

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Travel Technology

Adriana Lee

Travel Tech Reporter

Image by Skift

Why OTAs Should Still Be Worried About AI

While shares of Expedia and Booking Holdings jumped after OpenAI pulled back from enabling transactions inside ChatGPT, a bigger issue remains for OTAs: how AI is reshaping travel discovery.

Travelers are using AI tools to build itineraries before they ever open a booking site.
That raises a familiar question for the travel industry: What matters most — discovery or bookings?
If travel companies have no role in the discovery process, they may be seen as mere order-takers.

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