DirectBooker, a startup backed by former Tripadvisor CEO Steve Kaufer and ex-Google Travel head Richard Holden, wants to feed hotel listings directly into AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini — challenging the role of online travel agencies like Booking.com. “The default behavior is going to be for the OTAs to win again,” said Sanjay Vakil, […]
The U.S. Embassy in India issued a new advisory on Wednesday, warning that it can cancel visas if a person commits theft, assault, or similar crimes in the United States. The advisory followed a viral video showing a woman, who says she is an Indian tourist, being detained by the police for allegedly stealing over
U.S. Embassy in India Warns Theft Can Get Visa Cancelled After Viral Shoplifting Video Read More »
ITC Hotels on Wednesday said its board has approved a capital expenditure of INR 32.8 billion ($381.5 million) for construction of a hotel in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh. The 200-room hotel is expected to be completed by 2029 and will be the first ITC Hotels-owned property in the city. The hotel company already manages two
ITC Hotels Gets Board Nod for $381 Million Vizag Hotel Read More »
Online travel company Ixigo’s quarterly results were strong, but during an earnings call Wednesday, Group Co-CEO Rajnish Kumar spent much of his time talking about AI. And he’s especially focused on revenue per employee as a key metric to measure whether the company’s efforts to embed the tech throughout the organization are working. For the
Ixigo’s AI Mindset: Use Tech Instead of ‘Just Hiring More People’ Read More »
It’s no longer just institutional capital flowing into Indian travel startups. Celebrities are now showing up on cap tables, not just as brand ambassadors or endorsers, but as financial backers. From actors and radio hosts to cricket icons, high-profile Indians are betting on travel platforms, reflecting a broader shift in how India’s startup ecosystem is
The Oyo Connection You Didn’t Know Shah Rukh Khan’s Family Has Read More »
Avelo Airlines, which recently sparked controversy for its decision to fly deportation flights for ICE, is shutting down operations out of Hollywood Burbank Airport — one of its major bases. The ultra-low-cost startup carrier said it would reduce operations at Burbank to just one aircraft before fully exiting the airport on December 2. Avelo said part
Avelo to Shut Down West Coast Operations, Says ICE-Flights Backlash Not a Factor Read More »
IndiGo has introduced its first co-branded credit card tied to its year-old loyalty program, BluChip, marking another step in its push to evolve from a budget domestic airline to a global player. The airline is launching the credit card in partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank. The card lets customers earn extra loyalty points on both
IndiGo Launches Co-Branded Credit Card to Boost Loyalty Program Read More »
Key Points Delta Air Lines is testing the creation of different tiers within its premium business class cabins to better segment its offerings. Premium revenues for Delta have grown faster than main cabin revenues, prompting a greater focus on premium travelers. Other major airlines, including United and American, are also introducing new or segmented business
Basic Business? Delta to Consider Creating Different Tiers of Premium Read More »
Skift’s coverage of the Air India crash is offered free to all readers. An unexplained fuel supply cutoff caused both engines of Air India Flight AI117 to shut down seconds after takeoff, according to a preliminary report released Saturday by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The 15-page document reveals that just 32 seconds into
Air India Crash: Engines Shut Down Seconds After Takeoff, Report Finds Read More »
Bad Bunny kicks off his Puerto Rico residency Friday, with a 30-night concert series in San Juan that promises to supercharge the islandâs economy. The Puerto Rican native will perform at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico each weekend between July 11 and September 14. âAs soon as the residency was announced, we saw an immense
Puerto Rico Gets Its Own 'Taylor Swift Effect' — Thanks to Bad Bunny Read More »
