Cathay Pacific has scrapped its much-heralded plush and spacious cabanas in its first class lounge at Hong Kong International. The replacement says a lot about the evolving needs of long-haul travelers. The Retreat consists of seven massage booths designed to get the traveler in prime shape for arrival and that all-important business meeting on the day’s schedule. Shake off that jet lag and get ready for the day. In other words, decadence gives way to strategic wellness. And that says something about where luxury and business travel are heading.
WUNDERKIND + SKIFT
Most travel brands can’t identify the majority of their audience. A new guide explains why fixing that gap is now critical to performance.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Expedia on Track for $350 Million Acquisition of CarTrawler: Scoop
May 17, 2026
Expedia's outgoing chief financial officer said during its most recent earnings call that investments in its B2B unit could pressure margins near term. First Tiqets, and now CarTrawler, could be the investments he had in mind.
Uber CEO Says Travel Rivals Like Expedia Can’t Match Its On-the-Ground Edge
May 4, 2026
Khosrowshahi said there's the usual tension with partners about Uber's travel ambitions, and he obliquely cited Expedia's shortcomings post-booking. If Uber gains traction in travel, you can expect Khosrowshahi to one day step away from the Expedia board, and all of those conflicts to get exacerbated.
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SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK
April CPI came in at 3.8% but travel costs are running at roughly double the rate of inflation. Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down what surging fuel prices mean for hospitality this summer: from drive-to destinations feeling the pain at the pump, to airline ticket prices spiking since the war in Iran began and the Strait of Hormuz still closed.
With gas averaging over $4.50 a gallon and potential jet fuel shortages looming over Europe, the GMH crew warns this travel season could get worse before it gets better.
SKIFT TRAVEL 200
How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to know to understand the market. Paid subscribers get full access here.
