Skift

Air Canada is doubling down on restrictions for basic economy fares while making modest enhancements to its economy comfort offerings. It's a delicate move that could damage its value proposition. https://hubs.li/Q02-qksH0

“With three-quarters of Asian travelers also seeking deals or discounts, brands will need to balance premium offerings with value-driven options like all-inclusive packages or discounted luxury experiences. We’re also seeing an uptick of interest in loyalty programs and personalized services, like multilingual staff and airport transfers to help brands differentiate their offerings and meet traveler expectations.” — Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia Group Explore new research into how Asia’s middle class is shaping global travel today. https://hubs.li/Q02-7Mz00 Sponsored by Expedia Group

One of Hyatt's many business models is to take indie luxury hotels that pride themselves on being boutique-y, providing them the benefits of Hyatt (distribution! marketing! operational support!) and then downplaying any sign of corporate involvement in the eyes of guests. https://hubs.li/Q02-qyj70

In a hearing that became heated, senators expressed frustration that executives wouldn’t reveal what determines the ancillary fees. https://hubs.li/Q02-qq760

The low-cost carrier said it expected less of an impact to its revenue after bookings for November and December beat prior projections.

“One of the biggest challenges a travel manager can face is keeping our travelers happy. As plans change or weather causes disruptions, knowing that Southwest is doing all they can to keep travelers happy by providing great customer service and getting them to their destination makes my job a little easier.” —Heather Martin, Global Travel Process Analyst and Operations Manager at Red Hat, a Southwest Business partner Learn more about Southwest’s hospitality-first approach to business travel. https://hubs.li/Q02-7Ml-0 Sponsored by Southwest Airlines

Marriott sees an opportunity to tap into luxury travel spending by millennials and Gen Z, expected to inherit tens of trillions of dollars worldwide over the next couple of decades. https://hubs.li/Q02-lt0v0

Long criticized for mismanagement, OYO is flipping the script with its company-serviced hotels, focusing on quality and consistency. This shift is a big deal for the brand and could set the stage for its much-anticipated IPO. https://hubs.li/Q02-kc6k0

New Pod 🎧: Curious about the future of travel or how digital ecosystems are shaping it? Wondering how to keep the brand agile in a fiercely competitive market? It all starts with understanding how Gen Z and millennials travel. https://hubs.li/Q02-5NN20

As direct competition from hotels and airlines in the consumer business increases, online travel companies in India are rapidly expanding their presence in the "more profitable" corporate travel segment. https://hubs.li/Q02-5h4l0