GOOD DAY, READERS. |
Expedia Group is preparing to launch a B2B Model Context Protocol server, which will allow AI agents to connect directly to travel inventory — lodging, flights, cars, and activities. It's part of a broader "Intelligent Experience Platform" designed to make it easier for partners to build new AI-powered travel experiences under their own brands. |
Expedia's chief product and technology officer Karen Bolda said the solution is going live "in the coming months," but pilot partners and commercial terms remain undisclosed. |
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Women Leading Travel Forum |
What actually changes when 350 senior women in travel are in the same room. |
Executives from Marriott, Hilton, American Airlines, Carnival, and more. Three days in New Orleans, June 8-10. |
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WEX + SKIFT |
Airlines' payment infrastructure is becoming a key growth bottleneck. Without updating it, airlines risk falling behind on global expansion and digital retail ambitions. |
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SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK |
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Gulf Travelers Are Searching but Not Booking, and Brand USA Wants Canadians Back |
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Gulf travelers are flooding search engines but holding off on bookings as the Iran war reshapes travel demand, Brand USA launches a charm offensive to win back Canadian visitors, and Expedia reveals the next big piece of its AI roadmap for B2B partners. |
On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the Gulf's search-to-booking gap signals a demand delay rather than a demand collapse, how Brand USA is rebuilding its Canadian strategy from scratch on a dramatically reduced budget, and why Expedia's new MCP server is the unglamorous infrastructure play that could quietly reshape how AI books travel. |
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PEOPLE MOVES |
This week's people moves shaping the industry. Let us know about a move. |
Robert Fritz was named executive chairman of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Founder Isadore Sharp moves to Chairman Emeritus after more than six decades leading the brand. Fritz, a longtime executive with majority shareholder Cascade Investment, has served on the Four Seasons board since 2022. Larry Shack was appointed by Flair Airlines as Vice President, Airports. He has more than four decades of experience across airline and airport operations, including senior roles at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Skyservice Airlines. Dan Cockerell was appointed President of Operations at Boyne Resorts, another newly created position, effective August 1. Will report directly to President and CEO Stephen Kircher. Linh Banh named CFO at Viking Holdings, stepping up from EVP of Finance following Leah Talactac's promotion to CEO. Banh has been with Viking since 2006 alongside Talactac. Pat Pacious departed as CEO of Choice Hotels International after leading the company through the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas. A permanent successor has not yet been announced; the interim CEO is Dominic Dragisich, previously Chief Growth and Strategy Officer. Joe Schott was promoted to President of Walt Disney World Resort, succeeding Jeff Vahle who retires after 36 years. Natacha Rafalski steps up to lead Disney Signature Experiences and Christophe Murphy takes over as President of Disneyland Paris — all three effective end of July. Jan Hutton was appointed CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, effective July 1, following the departure of Tracy Berkeley. Hutton brings 20+ years across destination marketing roles spanning the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific including CMO stints at South African Tourism and Destination NSW. Eyal Amzallag was appointed Chief Operating and Commercial Officer and Executive Board member at The Social Hub. Previously, he led Selina's USD 1.2 billion Nasdaq IPO.
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Skift Executive Search connects travel-related companies with top-tier talent, ensuring the right leadership is in place to drive innovation and growth. See our case studies. |
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SKIFT TRAVEL 200 |
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How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to understand global market movements. Paid subscribers get full access here. |
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See more essential travel news in your search results. |
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