Good Morning Hospitality
Good Morning Hospitality is a podcast that covers the latest news and trends in the hospitality industry. Each episode features insights from industry experts, with new episodes released twice weekly on Monday and Wednesday mornings. The show is presented by Bilt, Cloudbeds, and StayFi, and is part of the Skift media brand.
Episodes
GMH Hotels: Why an Airline Just Bought a Hotel Company for $843 Million.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Steve Turk and guest host Katie Cline break down a week where consolidation is happening at every layer of the hotel industry at once.
The conversation opens with NORWEGIAN AIR UK LIMITED's $843 million bet to acquire Nordic Leisure Travel Group AB Group and own the entire travel value chain from flights to hotels.
The nu
The World Cup Surge Isn't Here Yet. Here's What STR Operators Need to Know.
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane break down where STR demand is actually coming from right now and who controls the guest relationship as platforms make their next big bets.
The conversation opens with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States booking story every operator in a host market needs to hear.
GMH Hotels: Hotel AI Is Cutting Costs. It Should Be Making Money.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down why hotel AI is stuck on the wrong side of the ledger and what it will take to flip it.
The conversation opens with Mews founder Richard Valtr making the case at Skift's Data and AI Summit that fragmented hotel data is the reason AI keeps cutting costs instead of driving revenue.
F
Your Hotel's AI Problem Is Actually a Data Problem
Independent hoteliers are under pressure from every direction, and now there's an AI mandate on top of it all.
Wil sits down with Adam Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, to cut through the noise. Adam's argument: most operators aren't failing because they lack effort or the right tools.
They're failing because they haven't defined the problem, and they're sitting on fragmented data that ma
AI Is Breaking Travel's Search Economics.
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane break down what AI is actually doing to travel economics and operations right now.
The conversation opens with a story that stops you in your tracks: one traveler used Claude to run 881,076 searches on Etihad Airways to find one flight. The infrastructure cost of that search exceeded the commi
GMH Hotels: Two Billionaires Just Bought the Las Vegas Strip.
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a week where ownership, distribution, brand strategy, and climate risk all moved at the same time.
The conversation opens with two billionaires making moves on the Las Vegas Strip in the same week. Tilman Fertitta agreed to buy Caesars Entertainment for $5.7 billion while assuming
Scammers Now Know Your Guests' Exact Booking Details.
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane break down a week where the infrastructure of hospitality is being stress-tested from every direction.
The conversation opens with a sobering security story: scammers are using real guest reservation data to launch highly targeted phishing attacks, with at least 350 hotels and vacation rentals
GMH Hotels: Airbnb Just Got Serious About Hotels
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a week where three big stories all pointed at the same shift: the distribution, loyalty, and infrastructure layers of hospitality are all getting reshuffled at once.
The conversation opens with Airbnb naming Andrea D'Amico, an 18-year Booking.com veteran, as its new VP of Hotels, an
What “AI-Bookable” Actually Means for Hotels & STRs
On this special holiday episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Brandy Canaley and Michael Goldin unpack one of the biggest shifts happening in travel right now: AI-powered booking. Joined by Jason Cincotta, founder of Kismet, the conversation breaks down Google’s new push into agentic hotel booking, what it means to become “AI-bookable,” and why independent hotels and vacation rentals may need to re
BONUS: Jamie Lane Interviews Airbnb’s Chief Business Officer
In this special GMH Bonus episode, Jamie Lane sits down live in San Francisco with Airbnb Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson following Airbnb’s 2026 Summer Release event.
The conversation breaks down Airbnb’s biggest updates, including expanded hotel distribution, new AI-powered search and personalization tools, rental cars, airport pickups, grocery delivery partnerships, and the continued p
GMH Hotels: The NYC Labor Deal Every Hotel Operator Should Watch
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a question every operator is quietly asking right now: how do you build a real edge when there is no moat?
They open with the NYC labor deal that just reset the national benchmark, with housekeeper pay crossing $100K a year by 2034, and Hotel and Gaming Trades Council now setting the
Every App Wants Your Booking. Nobody's Cracked It Yet.
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down why Airbnb, Uber, and TikTok are all making the same bet at the same time and what it actually means for operators. Plus: travel costs are running double inflation, and most hotel brands have more than one Gen Z problem.
This episode is presented by Plusgrade
GMH Hotels: Is Hospitality More Fragile Than It Looks?
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a growing debate across the hotel industry: are brands mistaking temporary strength for long-term stability? From luxury demand and premium travel to pricing power and loyalty, the industry may be more vulnerable than executives want to admit.
They also explore why Hilton and Marriot
Airbnb’s New Design Is Really a Bet on the AI Era
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down what Airbnb’s latest product and earnings commentary reveal about the future of travel platforms.
The conversation centers on Brian Chesky’s push toward blending hotels, homes, services, and experiences into a more adaptive marketplace, signaling how Airbnb is positio
GMH Hotels: Hotel Earnings Split & Accor’s Silent Power Play
On today’s GMH Hotels, Katie Cline and Steve Turk unpack mixed earnings from Hyatt, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and Choice Hotels International, plus growing concerns that World Cup hotel demand is falling short of expectations in host cities.
They also discuss Accor’s mysterious activist investor situation and what the $6.3B Amex GBT acquisition says about the next wave of travel consolidation.
Does Ubers Move Into Hotels Change Everything?
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, and Brandreth Canaley celebrate the show’s 500th episode and break down how travel platforms are expanding beyond booking and competing for the full traveler relationship.
The team starts with Uber adding hotel booking through a new partnership with Expedia Group, with Vrbo rentals expected to follow, marking Ub
GMH Hotels: Hilton’s Platform Play What It Means for Hotels
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down Hilton’s latest push into AI with its upcoming ChatGPT app and evolving “Select” deals strategy, and how the company is positioning itself more like a platform that controls pricing, distribution, and guest engagement.
They also explore Hilton’s continued expansion of lifestyle and l
The Middle of STR Is Dying And Luxury Is Taking Over
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Wil Slickers are joined by Sean O'Neill, Senior Hospitality Editor at Skift, to break down a major strategic shift in the short-term rental space.
onefinestay is pulling back from hundreds of urban rentals to focus on ultra-luxury homes and high-end leisure destinations, signaling a broader
GMH Bonus: Vrbo’s Tim Rosolio on AI, Supply Boom, and the End of Easy Money in STRs
In this Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast Bonus episode, Brandreth Canaley and Michael Goldin sit down with Tim Rosolio, VP of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Vrbo/Expedia Group, from a standout “Vacation Rental of the Year” property in New Hampshire.
Tim breaks down what actually drives performance on Vrbo today, from must-have amenities and pricing strategies to the growing importance o
GMH Hotels: Hyatt Goes All In on AI What This Means for Hotels
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down Hyatt’s rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise across the company and what it signals about AI moving from experimentation to real operational impact in hospitality.
They also explore rising travel costs tied to the upcoming World Cup, where higher prices for tickets, hotels, and transportati
AI Is Exposing Travel’s Weak Spots — Not Fixing Them
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down how AI is putting pressure on every corner of the travel industry. The conversation starts with Mews’ founder calling out hotels for taking a surface-level approach to AI, focusing on chatbots instead of meaningful improvements to operations and guest experience.
They
GMH Hotels: Are Hotels Losing the Booking Battle to AI?
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk are live from Seatrade Cruise Global, breaking down how AI is reshaping the way travelers discover and book hotels and whether brands are starting to lose control of the funnel.
Expedia Group data shows that only a small percentage of bookings are currently driven by AI, but the shift in disco
$250M STR Deal Signals a Shift in Travel Profits
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down a $250 million deal as TowneBank sells its vacation rental management business, signaling continued investor appetite for scaled STR operations even as the market evolves.
The team also unpacks mixed demand signals, from softer-than-expected travel spending despite ris
GMH Hotels: Is $7 Billion in Hotel Points a Problem?
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down the growing loyalty balance at Marriott Hotels and Hilton, and what nearly $7 billion in outstanding points really means for the industry. Is it a liability or one of the most powerful tools in hospitality?
They also cover the race to expand midscale brands, Delta Air Lines raising b
Airbnb Eyes Flights as Alexa and Policy Reshape Travel
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down Airbnb’s next big move and what it means for control of the traveler journey.
With Airbnb exploring how flights could fit into its expansion strategy, the conversation centers on whether the company can truly evolve into a full end-to-end travel platform and what that
GMH Hotels: Is Marriott Going Too Far With 39 Brands?
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down Marriott Hotels’ launch of its 39th brand: a wellness-focused concept in Italy, and ask whether hyper-segmentation is a smart strategy or brand overload. During this part of the discussion, Sean O'Neill will be joining us to share his insights.
They also explore the rise of food-led
AI Won’t Replace Travel Booking But It’s Changing Everything Else
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down where AI is actually reshaping travel and why booking may not be the biggest battleground.
From new Google translation tools removing friction on the ground to early signals around AI-driven pricing frameworks, the conversation centers on how AI is embedding itself in
GMH Hotels: Is Hyatt About to Beat OTAs With AI?
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: GMH Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and guest host Katie Cline, host of Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality, a Skift Podcast, break down Hyatt’s latest AI push and whether hotel brands can finally compete with OTAs by capturing travelers earlier in the booking journey.
They also explore Hilton’s new YOTEL partnership and what it signals a
Tripadvisor Shakeup, Loyalty Myths & AI’s Real OTA Threat
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin and Jamie Lane break down the latest headlines shaping online travel and platform strategy. The team starts with leadership changes at Tripadvisor, where longtime chairman Greg Maffei is stepping down as activist investor Starboard Value pushes for greater control and strategic changes at the company.
They then unpack a new ana
GMH Hotels: Hyatt’s Midscale Push, Delta Demand & Plane Drama
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk unpack Hyatt’s push into non-luxury brands and smaller markets as the company works to expand beyond its traditional luxury footprint.
They also explore how United Airlines and Marriott Hotels are turning planes and hotel rooms into advertising platforms, why Delta Air Lines says travel demand
World Cup STR Shift, AI Limits & Arizona Rental Bill
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down the latest headlines shaping short-term rentals and travel strategy.
The team starts with how Airbnb is seeing weaker-than-expected FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States demand in New York City while nearby New Jersey markets are benefiting from
GMH Hotels: Hilton’s AI Planner, Airline Fare Risk & Mouse Mid-Flight
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down how AI is quickly becoming a bigger part of hotel strategy, from Hilton’s new AI travel planner to analysts predicting that years of hotel tech investments could finally start delivering real earnings gains.
They also examine how rising oil prices could push airline fares higher and
GMH Bonus: The Roami Exit — Founders Reflect on Selling the Company
In this special GMH Bonus episode, Brandy Canaley sits down with Roami co-founders Andreas King-Geovanis and Iskander Karimov following the official sale of the Roami brand to CozySuites.
After nearly a decade building one of the largest apart-hotel operators in South Florida and New Orleans, the founders reflect on the journey from startup to exit. The conversation explores how Roami scaled quic
ChatGPT Checkout Retreat, Expedia Reset & UAE STR Cancellations
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down the latest headlines shaping travel and short-term rentals.
They start with OpenAI walking back plans for in-chat checkout in ChatGPT, a move that shifts the platform back toward discovery rather than transactions and eases pressure on OTAs like Expedia Group and Booking Holdings
Jeremy Gall on Breezeway’s New Investment, AI Hype, and the Future of Hospitality Ops
Breezeway just announced a new strategic investment led by Resurgens Technology Partners, and in this GMH Exclusive, Wil Slickers sits down with founder Jeremy Gall to break down what it actually means.
Jeremy shares why Breezeway chose Resurgens, how the partnership changes the company’s next chapter, and what they’re prioritizing in product development. They also get real about AI in hospitalit
GMH Hotels: Canada’s Costly Oversight, AI Agents & Travel Tech Shakeups
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk dive into the latest forces shaping travel and hospitality in 2026.
They begin with a closer look at why ignoring the Canadian travel market is starting to carry real economic consequences for brands and destinations. From there, they explore the state of AI in travel, including why many travel
Airport Pickups, OTA Metrics & Mexico Travel Disruptions
On today’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane and Wil Slickers revisit Vrbo’s weather refund product now officially rolling out after earlier tests, and they unpack Airbnb’s airport-pickup experiment, a sign of the company pushing into broader travel services beyond stays.
They also look at why analysts say the industry needs a new way to rea
GMH Hotels: Tariff Risk, Vegas Decline & Kettle Chaos
On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk unpack mounting industry pressure — from hoteliers navigating U.S. tariff risk and airlines suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta, to TSA PreCheck stability and a sharp dip in Las Vegas tourism.
They also examine broader structural strain across hospitality before closing with a viral video of
Fundraising Uptick, Airbnb Strategy Shifts & OTA Headwinds
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dig into the latest headlines shaping online travel, short-term rentals, and platform strategy.
Otamiser has secured $2M in fresh capital to scale its AI-driven revenue platform for hotels and STR operators, highlighting continued investor interest in tech that boosts OTA visibi
GMH Hotels: Travel Anxiety, Brand Boom & In-Flight Brawls
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk explore how the travel industry is turning anxiety into profit — from insurance add-ons to premium flexibility — and what that means for modern travelers.
They also break down IHG Hotels & Resorts’s launch of its 21st brand, Noted Collection by IHG, and the continued expansion of hotel bran
Airbnb AI Flex, STR Demand Data & Casago Shakeup
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Jamie Lane, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin dive into the latest shifts across short-term rentals and online travel.
They start with Brian Chesky dismissing rivals’ chatbots and arguing that Airbnb’s AI advantage is rooted in its marketplace and community data, then unpack Airbnb’s new report positioning STRs
GMH Hotels: Marriott’s Card Boom, Vegas Solar & 30K Sandwiches
On today’s episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down Marriott International’s credit card surge and what it signals for loyalty-driven revenue.
They also examine MGM Resorts International powering its Las Vegas Strip properties with solar energy, and why the 2026 Winter Olympics are shaping up to be a logistical stress test for travelers and ho
Home Swapping Heats Up, World Cup Costs & OTA AI Anxiety
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, a Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Wil Slickers break down the latest headlines shaping short-term rentals and online travel — from new funding bets to investor jitters around AI.
They start with Kindred’s $125 million funding round, unpacking why investors are backing home swapping as a lower-cost, lower-friction alternative
GMH Hotels: Disney’s CEO Shift, Marriott’s AI Push & Ryanair Drama
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, hosts Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down the latest power shifts, brand battles, and cultural moments shaping travel and hospitality.
The discussion opens with The Walt Disney Company tapping parks chief Josh D’Amaro as CEO, signaling a growing emphasis on experiences, operations, and guest loyalty. Sarah and Steve then unpack Ma
Lost Opportunity for Intl Travel, Booking Site Lawsuits & STR Headaches
On Monday’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down the latest headlines shaping travel and lodging.
They cover concerns that the U.S. is missing a major opportunity for international tourism growth, a new lawsuit targeting major booking platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, and Expedia Group’s latest round of layoffs.
The ep
GMH Hotels: Capital One Travel’s Card Push, Public Hotels Growth & Travel Turmoil
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down the latest moves and disruptions in travel and hospitality.
They start with Capital One Travel’s decision to open its platform to Discover cardholders in a bid to challenge Chase and American Express on points, perks, and travel spend. Then they discuss iconic hotelier Ian Schrager’s partnershi
New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping the Travel Industry
We’re sharing a preview of a new podcast from Skift called Skift Take Sessions.
Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global travel industry. Each episode features candid interviews with CEOs and senior leaders across airlines, hotels, and travel platforms, recorded live at Skift events and expanded with context around why
Weather-Guarantee Funding, Winter Chaos, Airbnb Meals & Skift Megatrends
On this morning’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers is joined by Michael Goldin and Jamie Lane for a quick-hit look at the stories shaping travel and hospitality to start the week.
The team covers WeatherPromise’s latest funding round, the massive winter storm disrupting U.S. flights, and what it could mean for short-term rental demand, and Airbnb’s newest services push wit
Why Mews Raised $300M and Thinks Hotel Tech Has Been Built Wrong for 30 Years
Mews just raised $300 million in a Series D, valuing the company at $2.5 billion — one of the largest hotel tech raises ever. But this conversation isn’t about hype.
In this GMH exclusive, Wil Slickers sits down for a third time with Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews, to unpack what this funding actually unlocks and why Richard believes much of hospitality technology has been built on the wrong assu
GMH Hotels: Hotels, AI Travel Tools, Extended Stay Deals & More!
On this episode of GMH Hotels with Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk, as they break down four major developments shaping where lodging and travel are headed in 2026.
They start with Outsite’s new private-equity backing, a big vote of confidence in social extended stays and flexible work-travel lifestyles. Then they explore Google’s latest push into AI-powered travel planning and how big tech continu
Hotels vs Airbnb 2.0: Innovation Fatigue & the Fight Back
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane unpack the idea that the thrill is gone for Airbnb and short-term rentals, a growing conversation about innovation, product fatigue, and where the sector goes from here.
Then they look at Hilton’s latest strategic move with the launch of Apartment Collection by Hilton, it
Breaking News: Kasa CEO on Acquiring Mint House After Sonder’s Collapse
Kasa has acquired Mint House at a moment when much of the urban apart-hotel sector has collapsed. In this GMH special, Wil Slickers sits down with Kasa Founder and CEO Roman Pedan to break down how the deal came together, why Mint House chose Kasa, and what this acquisition signals about the future of urban short-term rentals and apart-hotels.
With Sonder now gone and capital having pulled back f
GMH Hotels: Slumping Inbound Travel, Airline M&A, AI Bookings
On today’s GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk cover the latest shifts shaping travel and hospitality in early 2026.
They break down continued weakness in overseas travel to the U.S., the Sun Country Airlines–Allegiant airline merger, Google’s move toward agentic AI checkout, and Marriott International’s expanding loyalty strategy tied to global cricket events.
The episode wraps with thi
GMH Special: Kayak Almost Went Private and No One Was Supposed to Know
In this GMH Special, Wil Slickers sits down with Skift Founding Editor Dennis Schaal to unpack one of the most surprising travel tech stories of the year: Kayak’s CEO quietly attempted to take the company private.
They walk through what actually happened, why the move was explored, and what it reveals about the pressure facing travel platforms in a world being reshaped by AI, Google, and shifting
Credit Card Rewards vs Loyalty, Kayak Buyout Drama & Trump’s Home Rule
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dig into three stories shaping travel and lodging as 2026 gets underway.
They start with how credit card rewards are now rivaling traditional airline and hotel loyalty programs, reshaping how travelers earn, redeem, and choose where to stay.
The team discusses a major de
GMH Hotels: 2026 Predictions: What’s Ahead for Hotels This Year
On January 7th, GMH Hotels returns with one of the show’s annual traditions 🔮Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk share their predictions for 2026, breaking down what they expect to shape the hotel industry in the year ahead.
From demand and pricing to labor, loyalty, technology, and guest experience, they lay out the trends they believe will matter most — and the assumptions worth questioning as the y
GMH: 2026 Predictions: What Comes Next for Hospitality? 🔮
Welcome back to Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, and the first episode of 2026! Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane kick off the year by sharing their predictions for what lies ahead across travel and hospitality.
From demand and pricing to distribution, technology, and guest behavior, the crew lays out the trends they believe will define 2026, along with th
GMH Hotels: The Year Ends With Pressure, Power Shifts, and New Rules
On the final GMH Hotels episode of 2025, Sarah Dandashy is joined by Katie Cline to break down the forces closing out the year in hospitality and travel.
They explore the “ugly new math” pressuring hotel margins, a wave of airline CEO changes signaling deeper industry shifts, and how luxury travel is being redefined beyond passports and borders.
The episode also looks at New York City’s newly a
GMH: 2025 Predictions Revisited
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane revisit the predictions they made at the beginning of 2025 to see how the year actually played out.
With a full year of data, headlines, and hindsight behind them, the crew breaks down what they got right, where they missed the mark, and which trends caught them completely off guard.
Fro
GMH Hotels: 2025 Predictions Review: What We Hit & Missed
On this episode of GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk bring back one of the show’s favorite traditions: the annual predictions review.
At the start of the year, they each made bold calls about the trends, challenges, and opportunities that would shape hotels and travel in 2025.
Now, with December here, they’re revisiting every forecast to see what actually happened, what completely surp
World Cup Update, Startup Slowdown & the Vanishing Middle-Class Hotel
On today’s Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Jamie Lane, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin dig into the trends shaping the start of the week across travel and lodging. Jamie brings fresh World Cup host-city data with early demand and pricing signals, along with his top takeaways from the DARM conference.
The team then looks at the slowdown in travel startup funding and how tighter capit
Expedia’s AI Game, TSA Fees, Loyalty Reinvented & Hotel Capital Moves
On this episode of GMH Hotels, Wil Slickers and Steve Turk cover a busy week in travel!
Expedia Group taps former Google AI leader Xavier (Xavi) Amatriain as its first Chief AI and Data Officer, TSA introduces a new $45 fee for travelers without a Real ID or passport, hotel loyalty programs undergo a major reinvention, and Marriott International expands into branded residences with its Ambar Orl
Evolve’s Big Buy, Luxury Escapes & the Future of Vacation Rentals
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Jamie Lane, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin dive into some of the biggest moves in short-term rentals and travel.
First, they unpack the recent deal where Evolve acquired 1,000 owner contracts from Casago, a bold consolidation that could reshape supply and operator models.
Then they explore why Luxury Escapes is
Hopper Heads to Capital One, Apple & Delta Tracking, CitizenM’s Big Loan
On this episode of GMH Hotels, Wil Slickers and Sarah Dandashy are joined by guest-host Dennis Schaal, Founding Editor at Skift, for an exclusive 10-minute segment on the newly announced deal: Capital One’s planned acquisition of Hopper. They’ll dive into the implications for hotel tech, travel finance, and how key engineering and hotel talent will shift with the deal.
Then, Sarah and Wil break d
Google’s AI Booking Move and World Cup Demand Signals for STRs
On today’s Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Jamie Lane, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin break down Google’s latest step into agentic travel planning. This system can build, price, and coordinate full itineraries, yet insists it has "no intention" of becoming an OTA. The crew explores what this means for hotels, short-term rentals, platforms, and anyone competing for consumer discovery
GMH Hotels: Loyalty Reset, Talent Crunch, Travel AI & That Outrageous Travel Story
On this episode of GMH, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down a lineup of stories shaping the hotel and travel landscape. 🎙️
They start with Hilton’s major loyalty overhaul, a new top-tier status, and lowered thresholds that could reshape how travelers climb the elite ladder.
They then look at how both Hilton and Marriott International are responding to the hotel industry’s ongoing talent cr
Airbnb/Expedia Earnings & Discount-Driven Growth
Today on Good Morning Hospitality, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane break down the latest earnings results from Airbnb and Expedia Group.
A quarter defined by discounting, flexible payment options, and a surge in “reserve now, pay later” bookings.
They examine how these strategies helped drive strong performance for both platforms and raise the big question hanging over the in
GMH Hotels: Accor’s Luxury Bet, AI Kitchens, Expedia’s B2B Power & Grounded
This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk explore four stories that capture the shifting landscape of hospitality and travel.
They begin with Accor’s newest luxury soft brand, created to attract independent hotel owners seeking the reach of a global chain while maintaining local character.
Next, they look at how hotels are turning to AI tools and smaller-plate strategies to cut fo
Marriott Ends Deal With Sonder Before Company Shuts Down
Update: This episode was recorded just an hour before Sonder published its official notice of shutting down operations. Read more here.
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, and Brandreth Canaley are joined by Skift Senior Hospitality Reporter Sean O'Neill to unpack the breaking story of Marriott Bonvoy ending its licensing agreement with Sond
GMH Hotels: Shutdown Impact, Marriott’s 2026 Outlook & Soil Carbon Credits
This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk are joined by Skift Airlines Reporter, Meghna Maharishi, to kick off the show with updates on how the government shutdown has impacted the airline industry and what ripple effects it’s had on Marriott’s business performance.
After Meghna’s segment, Sarah and Steve dive into Marriott International’s 2026 outlook, unpacking the company’s plans
Has Airbnb Peaked? All-Inclusive Boom & Vrbo’s ‘Loved by Guests’ Push
This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Michael Goldin unpack three big stories shaping travel.
Has Airbnb hit its ceiling as growth slows and regulations tighten? Why are luxury all-inclusives becoming the go-to for high-end travelers? And how is Vrbo’s new “Loved by Guests” program using trust and transparency to win over travelers?
From platforms to guest exp
GMH Hotels: Bar-First Hotels, Domestic First Class & the New Playbook for Hotel Growth
In this episode of GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk tackle the latest strategic moves re-shaping travel and hospitality. We start with how Death & Co. is disrupting hotel design by introducing a bar-first hotel brand that fuses nightlife and stay experiences.
Next, we examine why airlines are moving to premium, with JetBlue announcing a domestic first-class cabin in 2026 and what that s
AI Agents Rise, Airbnb Gets Social, and Travel Feels the Shutdown
This morning on Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane explore three major forces reshaping travel and hospitality.
First, they examine how the rise of agentic AI could transform OTAs into passive order-takers. Next, they dive into the new social-features rollout on Airbnb Experiences that aim to deepen guest-to-guest connection and engagement.
Finally, wit
GMH Hotels: Luxury Takes Private, Cloud Cracks, & Waymo for Business
On this week’s episode of GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk unpack five major developments reshaping the hospitality and travel ecosystem.
First, the luxury-hotelier Mandarin Oriental Oriental is being taken private in a deal valued at $4.2 billion. Then they examine the ripple effects of a major Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage that disrupted travel operators and highlighted infrastruct
GMH Turns 5: Amex Travel Boom, United’s AI Cuts, Airbnb’s Political Push
Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Wil Slickers celebrate five years of Good Morning Hospitality by diving into this week’s biggest industry stories — from American Express Travel’s record bookings and Capital One’s new 5x points on short-term rentals, to United Airlines cutting 4% of management roles due to AI, and Airbnb launching a political organization in Arizona.
Presented by Lodgify
GMH Hotels: Loyalty Rankings, Squatter Fears, and Rebuilding Reefs
Join Steve Turk and guest-host Katie Cline as they dive into this week’s biggest stories in the world of travel. They’ll unpack the latest hotel loyalty rankings and what they mean for loyalty programs, a brewing squatter scare for short-term rental hosts in France, and evolving rules for travel to Europe. Then, they’ll explore Delta Air Lines' strategic push toward affluent travelers via their Am
Expedia/Booking Apps on OpenAI, AI-PMS Funding, & Delta Delays
This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin, Brandy Canaley, and Jamie Lane put OpenAI’s integrations with Expedia and Booking.com to the test — planning full trips through ChatGPT. The crew compares notes on how the AI handled flights, hotels, and recommendations, and where it still falls short of replacing the human touch in travel planning.
Then, they unpack how AI is transforming op
GMH Hotels: Hilton Adds 25th Brand, Numa Expands, & Longevity Travel Rises
This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk cover a packed lineup shaping the global hotel landscape. Hilton unveils its 25th brand, Outset Collection, aimed at boutique conversions, while Numa introduces a premium lodging brand redefining urban stays across Europe.
They also discuss softer-than-expected U.S. RevPAR, rising sick calls among air traffic controllers, and a growing trend
Airbnb Host Summit, Expedia & Perplexity, Plus the Government Shutdown
In this episode of GMH, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down the biggest currents rippling through travel right now.
First, they dig into Airbnb’s Host Summit and its proposed shift to business profiles for property managers. Then, they pivot to Expedia Group’s evolving role and what the new Comet–Expedia partnership may mean for distribution and competition.
Finally, w
GMH Hotels: Adventure Lodging, Clean-Fuel Debates & Experience Platforms
Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk explore how travel and hospitality are adapting to shifting demands.
From Marriott International’s new outdoor-focused soft brand to Viking’s warning about cruise fuels, the conversation spans sustainability, policy challenges like a possible U.S. government shutdown, Eurostar’s push for fairness against airlines, and Booking.com’s move into attractions.
The episo
