Southwest Airlines Tries to Blunt Impact of Boeing Delivery Delays With MAX 8 Orders

It's nice to have a backup plan, and the Max 8 is filling that role for Southwest until delayed Max 7 orders arrive. -Dennis Schaal

How Important Is Google Travel to Google?

From political challenges to internal reassessments, Google Travel is clearly going through a transition. -Jason Clampet

I took my mum to Venice – it was instantly special

We both like to be busy and are good at holidaying together as long as no one else comes with us My mum is not a sun bunny. She likes active holidays: walking about interesting towns, gazing at historical things (churches, art, gardens), plus non-spicy food and, possibly, some water to paddle in. When my brother and I were young, our summers involved much traipsing through National Trust properties and banging seaside windbreaks into blustery British beaches. Before that, my parents travelled quite a bit: they drove round Europe in a Mini, even making it to Russia. But my dad can’t really manage a holiday these days, so my mum’s options are more limited. Day outings with her book group, occasionally further afield with a friend. And sometimes she goes on holiday just with me. Continue reading...

Wyndham Sees Budget Hotel Enthusiasm Cooling

Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks closer at Wyndham’s earnings, Google’s travel priorities, and Royal Caribbean’s encouraging quarter. -Rashaad Jorden

‘Chat, countryside, laughing and love’: readers’ favourite family holidays

Readers reveal favourite places for family trips in the UK and mainland Europe. Scroll down to see the winner Last year, we hired a lovely property sleeping eight two miles from Lake Garda. It was in a hamlet with two gorgeous Italian restaurants and a shop selling seemingly everything. We drove from Lincolnshire with our two dogs, in our motorhome. Our three grown-up children and their partners joined us there. The property owner arranged a pasta cooking day with local wine, meat and cheeses. We barely left the villa and the time spent just talking and playing games was priceless. Having nothing but time to chill and talk proved to be our best holiday. Cath Delsignore Continue reading...

How to enjoy an outdoor adventure – in the Lake District and beyond

With festivals, clubs and courses galore it’s a great time to try your hand at an open-air activity or sport – from rock climbing to canoeing or birdwatching It happened at an indoor wall for the sport of “bouldering”. I was standing watching some athletic young men conquer a tricky route that was beyond my abilities, half-listening to their banter, when I suddenly understood what they were discussing. A proposal to climb outdoors. They had never done it. They dreamed of it, but were uncertain how to go about it. It’s not only rock-climbing that has this issue. Throughout the UK, there is fresh, unused kit sitting under beds, in lofts and in garden sheds, a testament to thwarted dreams. I am guilty myself. The fishing kayak that has never been wet hangs from the shed roof where I winched it on ratchet straps. I was apprehensive about using that impulsive lockdown purchase. Continue reading...

Travel firms flying tourists to Rhodes are ‘profiteering’, senior Tory says

Alicia Kearns backs calls for the government to advise against travel to the Greek island Travel firms that continue to fly tourists to Rhodes have been accused of “profiteering” by a senior Conservative, as ministers faced pressure over official travel advice for the island, where 10,000 British tourists have been stranded. As flights rescuing holidaymakers began arriving in the UK on Monday, calls continued for a change in the Foreign Office’s stance on the categorisation of Rhodes to enable tourists to get a refund for their trips through their travel insurance. Continue reading...

Share your best discoveries in France – you could win a holiday voucher

An endless bounty of riches awaits travellers in France. Tell us about your favourite places – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break With so much to explore, every trip to France brings new pleasures. There are so many ancient towns and cities to enjoy as well as countryside ranging from stunning peaks to great beaches – a fresh discovery lies around every corner for the inquisitive traveller. Please share details of your favourite – it could be a cafe, cycle route, mountain hike, museum, secret cove or restaurant … whatever it was that makes you want to share it with others. Places that are less frequented by tourists are more likely to make the shortlist. Continue reading...

Parisian panache: six of the most spectacular Paris Métro stations

Grand designs will feature in a major expansion of the Paris Métro, but there is plenty of theatricality, beauty and swagger on show at existing stations One aspect of the Paris Métro is minimalism. Most stations are simply white subterranean vaults with no surface building to sully the beauty of the streets. Sometimes, a station entrance is indicated by art nouveau iron flowers of no known genus (except possibly triffid), and these – the creations of Hector Guimard in the early 1900s – signify the flamboyance that coexists with the minimalism. The sheer theatricality of some stations reflects a society that accords engineers a high status (the UK has no real equivalent of the elite engineering school École Polytechnique) and encourages them to make bold statements. This kind of swagger is evident in the Eiffel Tower and the Pompidou Centre. It will also be manifest in the huge new stations of the Grand Paris Express scheme which, between now and 2030, will double Métro mileage. But here are some fine examples on the existing network. Continue reading...

Simple pleasures: great getaways on the Isle of Wight

Queen Victoria loved it there, and so have generations of seaside holiday-makers ever since If picturesque cycling, coastal walks and simple seaside pleasures float your boat, make the Isle of Wight your first port of call. Home to Queen Victoria’s summer retreat, Osborne House, the island has 20 beaches and a series of unspoilt coves. A network of cycle and walking trails covers 17 miles of coastline and countryside. Famous for the Cowes sailing regatta in July and August, the 147-square-mile island also offers every water sport going, from kayak surfing and windsurfing to paddle-boarding and parasailing. We explored by bike, our wheels borrowed from Foresters Hall, an impeccable, 14-bedroom Grade II-listed boutique hotel. Situated on a cobbled street in Cowes old town, Foresters is a five-minute walk from the Red Jet terminal – the journey to East Cowes from Southampton Quay takes 28 minutes. Continue reading...

Adventure Tourism in Darien Gap With Migrant Crisis Raises Ethical Questions

In a world of extreme disparities of wealth and opportunity, travelers face these questions every day. But they are especially pronounced in this area where at least 137 migrants have died or gone missing. -Lex Haris

‘The coast is vast and the skies overwhelming’: readers’ choose their favourite UK coastlines

Our tipsters revel in stretches of coast from Shetland to Cornwall offering wilderness, history and nostalgia For low-tide loveliness, the coastline between Alnmouth and Cresswell in Northumberland takes some beating. With the tide out the beaches and skies are overwhelming, especially on a sunny day. The coast is vast, so if you like solitude you’ll find it here. You have the bonus of a wander into the beautiful village of Warkworth and the small town of Amble. Access to public transport in this area is pretty good too, considering its remoteness. Barry Peaden Continue reading...

Free Airline Wi-Fi for Loyal Passengers Only

Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks closer at the state of travel, Wi-Fi on planes, and Mondees’ new AI tools. -Rashaad Jorden

Sleep tourism is booming. Here’s why | Arwa Mahdawi

The world is stressful, so an adventure holiday is the last thing you need. Instead, hotels are offering fancy sleep suites and AI-powered beds As my wife – and all my exes – will attest, I’m really good (at staying) in bed. I’m not one of those weirdos who jumps out from under the sheets at the crack of dawn, ready to seize the day: my modus operandi has always been to remain horizontal for as long as possible, screeching “five more minutes” to anyone who tries to rouse me. Some may call it laziness; I call it self-care. After all, sleep is restorative. Quality sleep adds years to your life and is great for your mental health. Why wouldn’t you snooze for as long as you can? Because you have a job that requires you to get up early, that’s why. Or because you have anxiety-induced insomnia. Or because you have a child who won’t let you sleep a minute past 6.49am. As I have come to realise, sleep is a luxury item. I used to take slumbering for granted, but now that I’m the mother of a hyperactive toddler (is there any other kind of toddler?), sleep is something I would pay a pretty penny for. Continue reading...

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ Brands, Explained

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest franchisor of hotels. We run through the brands that have helped it become one of the most successful hospitality businesses. -Joey Tyson

Port of Dover warns of two-and-half-hour waits this weekend

Post-Brexit passport checks will significantly lengthen delays as peak holiday season gets under way Cross-Channel ferry passengers will face waits of up to two and a half hours at Dover this weekend, the port has warned, as the peak holiday season gets under way. Post-Brexit passport checks will significantly lengthen delays as holidaymakers head for France, despite a number of mitigation measures put in place by the port. Continue reading...

India Races to Ready Budget Hotels Ahead of Cricket World Cup

Opening its arms and homes, and greeting “Namaste” to the world is a nation whose unofficial religion is cricket. -Amrita Ghosh

Behind the Source of the Viral ‘Airbnb Collapse’ Data

Who came out looking bad here? Nick Gerli and AllTheRooms, in particular, as well as the media that took him at his word about the source of the data. -Dennis Schaal

Delta’s Revenue Bump Is Thanks to International Travelers

Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks closer at Delta’s international support, the Grand Canyon’s green efforts, and India’s travel tax problems. -Rashaad Jorden

‘There are even surfing lessons for pooches’: readers’ favourite dog-friendly places in the UK

These tips on the country’s best dog-friendly beaches, hotels, bars and country parks will get plenty of tails wagging Woolacombe Beach is where soft sand meets the wild Atlantic and is perfect for our pooches. It consists of a wide, three-mile long sandy stretch from Barricane Beach down to Baggy Point, but dogs are restricted in certain areas. Parts of it are surfing areas and some kiosks even offered boards and lessons for dogs, though I didn’t want to embarrass Bob and Bertrand – our lovely Beagles – by insisting they try. Other pet owners were not so bashful. There are lots of dog bins and the cafes have bowls of water for four-legged friends. The Barricane Beach cafe is run by animal lovers, has great coffee and great-value curry nights. Gayle Continue reading...

Ryanair Exits ‘Talking Shop’ UK Aviation Council

There is often a lag between industry bodies' ambitious goals and what they actually deliver. Perhaps this will take a while before it can be fixed. -Amrita Ghosh

Cornwall unveils new walking route linking its north and south coasts

The 87-mile trail follows the River Tamar and links with other routes to create circular walk around whole county Following the banks of one of the UK’s great rivers, a new walking way has been unveiled linking the north and south coasts of Cornwall and for the first time creating a circular walk around the whole of the county. The 87-mile (140km) Tamara Coast to Coast Way broadly tracks the River Tamar, which forms most of the border between Cornwall and Devon, taking in landscapes ranging from wooded valley to rolling farmland, heather-covered moors and areas shaped by the region’s mining history. Continue reading...

Salmon, saunas and sopranos: Finland’s opera festival with a difference

Each July Savonlinna’s 15th-century fortress rings with song as music fans descend on this beautiful, lake-filled corner of south-east Finland Approaching the castle, we felt as if we were joining a medieval procession. Ushers were guiding opera-goers down the cobbled streets and over the bridge which earlier that afternoon had swung open to allow us to sail into Savonlinna. This is one of the world’s most unique music festivals. It takes place every July in the 15th-century Olavinlinna fortress on an island in Finland’s south-eastern lake district. Continue reading...

A River Thames walk to a great pub: The Oiler, London Docklands

Fossils and geology stretching back millions of years are revealed on this fascinating route by river mudflats and ancient woods Near the start of his book Otherlands, palaeobiologist Thomas Halliday sketches the London landscape 50 million years ago: swampy forest and tropical waters filled with crocodiles, sea turtles, mangroves and huge lily pads. Otherlands is a compelling recreation of vanished ecosystems and the ways in which they can help predict possible outcomes of the changing climate. I meet the author for a riverside walk to explore modern London and its traces of past landscapes, and to look at what the future might hold. My temporal adventure starts, before we meet, in Lesnes Abbey Woods, easy to reach on the new Elizabeth Line. With its 12th-century abbey ruins, bronze age tumulus and ancient mossy forests, walking in this area has always felt like time-travelling. Squirrels and squawking green parakeets flash through the trees as I follow signs to a fossil bed, a sandy area where anyone can come and search for 50-million-year-old shells and sharks’ teeth. A wooden coryphodon, an extinct semi-aquatic mammal whose remains have been found here, guards the entrance. Continue reading...

Sweden’s Biosphere Trail: ‘Everything is clean and fresh and uncomplicated’

A gentle land of forest and water is revealed on an 85-mile walking route in south-west Sweden The English language has spawned some cracking opening lines, from Jane Austen’s “a truth universally acknowledged” to Orwell’s “clocks striking thirteen”. And now another has been added to the canon: the opening gambit of an info board on Sweden’s Biosphere Trail. “Every village,” it declares, “was required by law to dig its own wolf trap.” It was only our second day on the trail, but we’d already been so enchanted by the scenery – the placid lake, the bright welcoming woods, the picturesque rural cottages – that it came as no real surprise to find we’d stumbled into a fairytale. Opened last summer, the 85-mile Biosphere Trail skirts the southern shores of Lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest and Europe’s third largest lake. The route is named after the Lake Vänern Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, designated by Unesco in 2010. I confess I’d not really come across biosphere reserves before but there are 738 of them worldwide, all promoting “solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use”. There was certainly a good deal of conservation going on, for we seemed to be continually entering one nature reserve or other. And we’d arrived by train from the UK (a pleasant trundle through France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark), which we hoped would bolster the “sustainable use” bit. We started our walk at Mariestad, the town that marks the trail’s eastern extremity. It possesses one of Sweden’s best-preserved historic districts, so we had a wander through streets of what looked like giant doll’s houses, all decked out in bright pastel shades. After a shufti round a cathedral with fossils embedded in its stone floor, we set off along the shore, armed with maps that the frequent waymarkers made all but redundant. Very soon we saw our first wildlife: a statuesque heron, a rather busier woodpecker, followed by kestrels, butterflies, deer and lapwings. Lake Vänern is so large (about quarter the size of Wales) that where the trail runs along the shore it seems more like a coastal path – an impression reinforced by the appealing sandy coves we come across. We discovered that south-west Sweden can get quite warm in August, so by the time we reached our first night’s lodgings, we were somewhat parched. Äppelgården B&B is a perfectly preserved 19th-century farmhouse, full of pleasingly esoteric period antiques. It’s also far from the nearest off-licence so I asked co-owner Diedrich if we could buy some beer from him to accompany the meal we were about to cook in the kitchen. A few minutes later he was plying us with four bottles of a local brew for which he refused any payment. He replied to our protests with a wink and a laugh. “Don’t worry,” he said, “I’ve just stolen them from my son.” So began five days of gentle rambling through woodland and farmland, meadows and hamlets. While the route is mostly rural, there was always a shop or cafe en route where we could buy lunch. And this being Sweden, everything was extremely clean and fresh and uncomplicated. The only major town we encountered was Lidköping, a town that found fame and fortune as a producer of porcelain, and where we ate dinner at Mellbygatans restaurant. The owner, Emil, told us that running the restaurant was “all about having fun”. It seems a successful strategy since in Mellbygatans’ first year it entered the prestigious White Guide with ratings on a par with some Michelin-starred restaurants. Continue reading...

Stockholm on a shoestring

A short break in Sweden’s capital with live music and cheap pints proves a tonic for this adventurer with only a few krona to his name Last summer I took a cruise of the Baltic. I wanted to know if a millennial could cruise independently and still have a laugh. (They can. Just.) I was writing a book about fun at the time, and fancied that two weeks of shuffleboard and Nordic stop-offs might prove a decent source of the f-stuff. And so it proved. Though I could have done with more than an hour in Stockholm. Which is why I’m back in Sweden’s capital: to get a better look at the place, while spending as little as possible. I get off to a flyer (economically speaking) by proceeding to my accommodation on foot. The route I take from the central station to the island of Södermalm is a circuitous one – and fruitful therefore. Continue reading...

UK’s Jet2 Sees More Demand for Summer Package Holidays as Cost-Crunch Hits

The UK's Jet2 appears positioned to keep its holiday-package market lead over TUI in the region, as the rising cost of living continues to impact the decisions of cost-conscious consumers. -Selene Brophy

Effective Hotel Marketing in the Digital Age: New Skift Research

Get a preview of our latest output from our Hotel Tech Benchmark data product. In this update, Skift Research looks closely at the best uses of digital marketing and advertising tools. -Saniya Zanpure

The Hotel Wellness Strategies That Work

Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks closer at hotels and wellness profits, Viator and GetYourGuide comps, and evolving in-flight entertainment. -Rashaad Jorden

‘More work in fewer hours’: LA’s hotel workers detail backbreaking conditions

Striking employees, who accuse the hotels of cutting staff levels and increasing workloads, want an immediate $5 hourly raise Thousands of southern California hotel workers have gone on strike over the holiday weekend, pushing for better wages in one of the most expensive metro areas in the US. About 15,000 cleaners, cooks, cloakroom attendants, front desk agents, bellmen, servers and dishwashers were picketing across Los Angeles and Orange counties. During one of the busiest tourist weekends in the region, workers are demanding wage increases amid a spiraling cost-of-living crisis in the region. Continue reading...

ASEAN Summit Boosts Foreign Tourism to Indonesia

There is increasing competition in Southeast Asia to attract foreign visitors to its shores. While the Philippines is actively embracing the belief that love is a driving force in the world as it faces increasing competition in the tourism industry, Indonesia saw a 9.21% increase in foreign visitors compared to the previous month. -Srividya Kalyanaraman

Coves, cobblestones and pastry shops: a walking tour of north-western Sicily

A self-guided holiday across this wild, beguiling corner of the island offers up a subtropical landscape, incredible old buildings and crystal-clear waters There’s something immensely satisfying about being able to see the point you’re aiming for on a long hike. Far below Erice, a hilltop town in north-west Sicily, I can make out the arc of Trapani on the coast – my target, three hours away by foot. Paths wind down the hillside, past wild flowers and giant cacti, the city looming ever larger, its buildings a palette of pastel pinks and greys that blend into the surrounding salt flats and ocean. I’d come to explore north-western Sicily on a self-guided walking holiday, staying in small, family-run hotels and covering an average of 10km a day. Closer to north Africa than the Italian mainland, it’s a starkly beautiful and wild region, with multi-layered history thanks to myriad invaders over the centuries. Continue reading...

10 of the best hotels and inns in Wales

From dramatic Snowdonia to a vineyard in Glamorgan, the best places to stay on a Welsh weekend away Often overlooked for the Pembrokeshire coastline, the Gower boasts some of the UK’s most spectacular beaches, including Rhossili, Oxwich and Three Cliffs Bay. The King Arthur is set inland, but has a fantastic position overlooking the village green, with locals and visitors massing on sunny days to create an almost festival atmosphere. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with hearty portions of pies, burgers and chilli as perfect post-walk or post-swim fuel, and an excellent selection of real ales and Welsh liqueurs. Doubles from £85 B&B; kingarthurhotel.co.uk Continue reading...

Hotels See Minibar Profits in Beauty Products

The hotel minibar is becoming a stale concept. So substituting beer and chips for self-care alternatives has a promising trajectory. -Sean O'Neill

‘Everyone I met was lovely’: readers’ favourite student trips

Our winning tipster splashes out in Berlin, while road trips in the Balkans and Canada provide great student travel memories It has to be Berlin. During a month-long summer trip in the late noughties, I fell in love with Kreuzberg’s €2 kebabs, cheap pilsner and vibrant street art. I strolled through leafy Prenzlauer Berg, home to endless coffee, cake and culture. This city has whatever food you could possibly want (currywurst is a must – meat, veggie or otherwise, big and budget-friendly). But the highlight was taking a train out to the stunning lake Wannsee. We packed a picnic, stripped off, sank our toes in the sand and swam, swam, swam until the canalside clubs began calling our name. Jessica Cole Continue reading...