Skift hold

Today’s podcast looks at AI travel agents, Hilton’s highest room addition, and Boeing’s latest hurdle.

Rashaad Jordan

Hello from Skift. It’s Thursday October 24, 2024 and here’s what you need to know about the travel industry today.

Listen now

🎧 Subscribe

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS

Episode Notes

Anthropic, a generative AI startup, has unveiled new technology that outlines what an AI-powered travel agent would look like, writes travel technology journalist Justin Dawes.

Anthropic recently released three demonstrations of this technology, one of which was intended for developing travel plans. A more advanced version of the technology could eliminate the hassle of manually navigating options, comparing prices and booking. Additionally, Dawes notes that users could bypass online travel agencies like Booking.com to rely on AI to find the best deals on their behalf.

Hilton reported record room growth in the third quarter. But the company has cut its annual forecast for hotel revenue due to signs of slowing domestic travel demand, writes senior hospitality editor Sean O’Neill.

Hilton announced Wednesday that it added 6,000 rooms to its portfolio in the third quarter, the highest quarterly room addition in its history. The company also opened 531 hotels during the same period. However, Hilton also said it now expects its revenue per available room to increase between 2% and 2.5% this year, down slightly from its projections in April and April. ‘august.

Finally, Boeing has had a rough year so far, and its struggles include a $6 billion loss in the third quarter, writes Airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged that the aircraft maker was at a crossroads, adding that confidence in the company had eroded. Ortberg said he believes the company’s problems, including lapses in its performance, have disappointed many of its customers. He told staff earlier this month that Boeing would delay first deliveries of the 777X to 2026.