How to follow all AI in travel topics

First things first

Like many others who follow innovation in technology, we’ve been covering developments in how the companies we cover are creating AI. To bring all of our coverage together, this week we launched a new weekly newsletter that delivers all of our AI stories to subscribers’ inboxes every Friday. You can read more about the newsletter and also subscribe here.

We’ve recently released the Skift Future of Lodging forum on YouTube, where you can watch full videos of all sessions for free. We’ll be returning to in-person experiences in New York City in early June. Change short term rental meeting. We sold out of early-bird tickets last week, but regular price tickets remain, as well as discounted group tickets. Learn more here. Skift Pro subscribers get discounts or watch the live stream for free.

The main news

Peru’s Machu Picchu Solution: Tour Operators Developing New Trekking Region

With over 25,000 miles of Inca Trail to explore, alternative routes to the world-famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu are being explored. And it’s out of date.

New American Airlines strategy leaves agencies with dramatically higher airfares

Within three days of the airline’s ticket shake-up, travel agencies are seeing huge gaps in ticket prices. They have been warned, but it seems that other issues are on the horizon.

Expedia releases ChatGPT-Powered AI Chatbot on mobile app

Expedia Group has officially released a chatbot tool powered by ChatGPT, the biggest player in travel. This is just the beginning, and if anyone has the resources to see what this technology can do for travel, it will be companies like Expedia.

Ireland’s Doyle Group renews its luxury hotel strategy

Admittedly, the Doyle Collection, a family-run luxury hotel group, is a bit of a player. But the strategy of new CEO Gordon Drake, who previously sold Six Senses to IHG and Fairmont Raffles to Accor, highlights what indie brands are thinking now.

Alloggio takes a private equity exit to combat short-term rentals

For some short-term rental companies, a private equity restructuring may be welcome — even if it means a change in management, potential problems and cutting parts of the business. Analysts warn against a write-off on the industry as a whole, but demand remains strong.

Zooey Deschanel is the new girl to promote direct booking of Choice Hotels

Although Choice Hotels doesn’t see celebrities as mandatory in marketing campaigns, it doesn’t hesitate to turn to star power to sell the benefits of using the website.

Delta, United, JetBlue, American to cut New York flights this summer

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways and American Airlines have all announced they will cut flights to the New York City area this summer.

What the cancellation of E3 means for the convention industry.

65,000 attendees, 4,000 jobs and $88 million in revenue won’t be coming to Los Angeles in June, as the leading video-game-industry trade show E3 has been canceled for 2023. It was meant to be the first in-person show since 2019.

Listen here

Skift CEO Rafaat Ali from Glasgow Caledonian University, Professor Michael J. You can listen below or download it from your podcast platform of choice.

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Chart of the week: Hotel tech investment priorities

Our new Skift Research report: Registration Engines, Website Builders and Direct Registration Tools provides an overview of these technology categories, their market size and growth potential. Globally, 64% of hotels (76% of global segment supply) use booking software, and 45% of hotels (60% of global segment supply) use website builders and direct booking tools. Read more.