Expedia is opening 2026 with another round of layoffs, signaling a continued shift toward consolidation, automation, and leaner operations even as labor shortages persist across the hotel sector.
The (Maybe Not So) Slow Death of Metasearch
As AI reshapes travel discovery, metasearch players like Trivago, TripAdvisor, and Kayak face mounting pressure, raising questions about whether the traditional comparison engine is becoming an expensive middle layer.
Turns Out Ron Was Right
TBO’s acquisition of Classic Vacations revives a storied wholesale brand, underscoring the enduring value of high-touch advisor relationships and the challenges traditional operators face when folded into digital-first travel giants.
2025 Was a Step Back. 2026 Looks Like a Grind
U.S. hotel performance slipped in 2025, with occupancy and RevPAR down for the first time since 2020, and 2026 is shaping up as a grind marked by uneven market performance, rising supply, and tighter margins.
Resort Fees Banned! – Don’t Believe the Headlines… Except Ours.
Despite headlines, New York City hasn’t banned resort fees, only reinforced upfront price disclosure, but as total-price transparency becomes the norm, the economic advantage of resort fees may be quietly disappearing.
Airbnb and Hotels: We’ve Heard This Before. This Time Might Be Different.
Airbnb is reviving its hotel push as short-term rental rules tighten, elevating hotel listings in key markets, hiring Booking.com veteran Lou Zameryka to lead global hotels, and signaling a major AI-driven distribution play.
The Passport Gap: Easy Out, Hard In.
The 2026 Henley Passport Index shows a widening global mobility gap: Singapore leads with 192 visa-free destinations, the U.S. still ranks strong at 179, but remains far less open to inbound travelers, while China is rapidly expanding visa-free access as a competitive travel lever.
Different Cities, Same Math: NYC vs. Hawai’i
New York City’s strict short-term rental rules remain intact, tightening visitor supply and lifting hotel rates, while recent Manhattan ground-lease land pricing offers a striking comparison to Waikīkī’s underlying land value.
Hyatt, Playa, and the Asset-Light Playbook
Hyatt’s Playa deal is a fresh example of the asset-light model: sell the real estate, keep the brands and management contracts, and grow rooms and fee income while owners take the capital risk.
New York Times Story That Should Get the Industry’s Attention
A recent New York Times analysis warns U.S. international travel is slipping into 2026, with fewer visits and lower spending driven by fees, visa delays, and border friction, risks that hit Hawaiʻi hard given its reliance on Canada and Japan.
