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Experiences

Experiences
Investors give Airbnb Q3 result positive review
Airbnb shares rose in after-market trading after the online accommodation marketplace reported flat profits for the third quarter of the 2025 financial year (Q3 FY25). The company said net income was US$1.374 billion ($2.11 billion) in the three months ended 30 September 2025, compared with $1.368 billion in the previous corresponding period (pcp). Revenue increased 10% to $4.095 billion due mainly to solid growth in nights stayed and a modest increase in the average daily rate (ADR). Net income was stable as higher revenue was offset by investments in growth and policy initiatives, and a $213 million valuation allowance against deferred tax assets related to Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax credits. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) soared more than 50% to a quarterly record of $2.0 billion. Gross booking value increased 14% while nights and seats booked rose by 9%.Source: Airbnb“Our Q3 2025 results demonstrate our continued focus on driving faster growth, as year-over-year growth of nights booked accelerated relative to Q2 2025,” the company said in a letter to shareholders. Demand remained strong in October despite more difficult year-over-year comparisons. Airb
Experiences
JTB completes acquisition of Northstar Travel Group
Japanese travel agency and travel solutions provider, JTB, has completed its acquisition of BTN’s parent company, Northstar Travel Group. Following the acquisition, Northstar will continue to operate as a wholly owned independent subsidiary of JTB and keep its existing management team, including CEO Jason Young. Young said the company is excited to become part of JTB and reach new demographics. “Partnering with JTB opens up new opportunities for collaboration and growth, particularly as we expand our reach in the Asia Pacific region,” he said. “With our shared values and vision, we look forward to working closely with JTB to deliver even greater value to our customers around the world.” The transaction was initially announced in August and will allow Northstar to continue its current operations and service offerings. Northstar also owns several publications, including SportsTravel, Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, Travel Pulse and Phocuswright Northstar was previously owned by investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital and its investors.
Experiences
Kensington launches expeditions with space travel option
Kensington, a private guided travel company, has unveiled Kensington Expeditions, a new collection of bespoke journeys that combine luxury with immersive adventure across land, sea, air and space. The programme’s centrepiece is the promise of curated visits to commercial space stations, part of the world’s first orbiting private outposts currently under development. These experiences, expected to launch in May 2026, will give guests the opportunity to engage directly with “the final frontier”, offering a foundation for long-term living beyond Earth. Beyond space, Kensington Expeditions features journeys guided by leading scientists, marine biologists, cultural experts and explorers. Each trip integrates hands-on conservation and field research with exclusive cultural encounters, granting access to locations and activities far beyond the reach of traditional travellers. Guests can participate in initiatives such as marine biodiversity monitoring, ecological studies and community-driven conservation projects, while enjoying tailored experiences led by private guides and specialists. Sample itineraries include:A 12-day private superyacht voyage from Patagonia to Antarctica, complete with submersible dives, kayaking
Experiences
Marriott auctioning unique experiences through Sotheby's
The Luxury Group by Marriott International announced its latest phase with Sotheby’s, where it will auction two luxury experiences. The auctions will take place during Sotheby’s Luxury Sales Week in Hong Kong, where collectors can bid on the “destination-led” travel lots. “The iconic partnership between Luxury Group and Sotheby’s exemplifies the immersive and nuanced approach to luxury that we are bringing to Asia Pacific,” said George Hammer, Global Head of Luxury Marketing, Marriott International. The first lot being auctioned is a luxury escape to Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Tibetan Plateau. The journey will begin in Chengdu with a night in a suite at W Chengdu, followed by a private limousine ride on a scenic five-and-a-half-hour drive to Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The guests will spend three nights there in the Rissai Villa, with an infinity pool mirroring the surrounding sanctuary. "China, particularly the extremely high vineyards of Yunnan province, is becoming an emerging force as a fine wine producing region, led by the likes of Domaine Muxin, Miao Lu, and Ao Yun, amongst others," said George Lacey, Head of Wine, Sotheby's Asia. The second lot up for auction is a five-d
Experiences
Flight Centre Travel Group slips amid lower demand
Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX: FLT) shares fell 3% by 12:40 pm AEST (2:40 am GMT) on Wednesday after the company's profits were dragged down by tensions in the Middle East and fewer visits to the United States during the final quarter of 2025. While the travel agency’s underlying profit before tax for FY2025 was in line with guidance at A$289.1 million, this represents a 9.8% decrease from the previous year, with statutory profit before tax also declining 3% to A$213 million. The company’s underlying profit had been tracking to surpass the prior year in the third quarter but dipped in the final months of fiscal 2025. Flight Centre attributed this to growing turmoil in the Middle East, non-recurring costs in Asia and fewer Australians travelling to the U.S. “This temporary volatility disrupted booking patterns during Flight Centre’s peak trading period – some customers either booked closer-to-home overseas holidays or delayed finalising plans – and saw the global leisure business’s underlying profit before tax dip below its strong FY24 profit,” it said. Despite Qantas adding more inbound flights for travellers from the U.S., Flight Centre’s numbers tell a different story. “In Australia, bookings to the US decrea

Experiences
Apple introduces new features for travellers
Apple are adding new features for travellers in the iOS 26 update, including a digital passport. The new update will allow U.S. users to save a digital version of their passport to their Apple Wallet. According to Apple, this will be secure and private and compliant with the USA’s Real IS standard, which allows for Real ID-compliant forms of identification to be used for air travel. “Like all IDs in Apple Wallet, this new solution takes advantage of the privacy and security features already built into iPhone and Apple Watch,” a 10 June release from Apple said. The iPhone’s digital passport will be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration for TSA Precheck or Clear checkpoints in more than 250 domestic airports ahead of the flights. While the passports will be valid for domestic flights in the U.S., travellers will still need their physical passports for international trips or land border crossings. Apple’s digital passports are similar to those that can already be created on Android phones using Google Wallet. Alongside the digital passports, Apple also plans to improve boarding passes in the Apple Wallet. This includes new functionality, such as real-time flight updates that can be shared with
Experiences
Expedia posts Q2 beat, guides to higher FY outlook
Shares in Expedia (NASDAQ: EXPE) traded 15% higher overnight to US$217.90 after the online travel agency’s second-quarter results beat expectations on the back of its strengthening enterprise business and improving demand from U.S. consumers. After revenue and gross bookings in the second quarter beat Wall Street’s estimates - rising 6% to $3.79 billion and 5% to $30.41 billion, respectively – the travel giant raised its full-year annual revenue target by 3% to 5%, up from a previous guidance of 2% to 4%. Guidance for gross bookings is also expected to grow between 3% to 5%. During the quarter, the company completed the buyback of $627 million of shares and declared a dividend of $0.40 per share. Expedia is looking for earnings margin expansion for the full year of 100 basis points, an increase from the previous 75 to 100 basis points. After investing in its B2B travel platform, which powers travel bookings for partners including airlines, banks, and loyalty programs, the Seattle-based company’s B2B gross bookings rose 17% year-over-year — outpacing the 1% growth in its consumer (B2C) business. Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, told the market the company had delivered a solid second quarter, surpassing our top
Experiences
Airbnb tops Q2 estimates, expects slower growth
Airbnb reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, with both revenue and profit beating market estimates, as bookings continued to rise and the company unveiled new services aimed at long-term growth. Revenue climbed 13% year-on-year to US$3.1 billion, up from $2.75 billion a year ago, exceeding analysts’ forecasts of $3.04 billion. Net income rose to $642 million, or $1.03 per share, compared with $555 million, or 86 cents per share, in the same period last year. Analysts had expected earnings per share of 93 cents. “We had a strong Q2, exceeding expectations across our key metrics, which reflects the progress we’ve made against our priorities, including unveiling Airbnb’s next chapter,” said Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky. “We’re excited by the early momentum behind the launch of Airbnb services and reimagined Airbnb experiences, and believe both will be key contributors to long-term growth.” Airbnb said it recorded 134.4 million nights and experiences booked in the quarter, up 7% from a year earlier, while gross booking value rose to $23.5 billion. In its shareholder letter, Airbnb acknowledged the challenging economic environment, noting that “a volatile macroeconomic backdrop,” inc
Experiences
Travel Beyond Group acquires Out and About Travel
Australia’s luxury travel sector is about to transform as Travel Beyond Group acquires Out and About Travel to strengthen its premium offerings and accelerate values-driven growth. This comes of the back of Travel Beyond Group growing 30% in new business, fuelled by a mix of deliberate and organic expansion acquisitions. “This is a perfect synergy,” Travel Beyond Group CEO Tim Lane said. “Both companies are driven by a commitment to service excellence, innovation, and lasting relationships – with our clients and our people. We’re thrilled to welcome Reece Farmilo and his exceptional team into the TBG family.” Under the acquisition, Out and About Travel will place a strong focus on expanding its independent consultant model, empowering experienced luxury advisors with access to industry-leading tools while maintaining autonomy and flexibility. “Our alignment with Travel Beyond Group is a natural fit,” Out and About Travel's founding director, Reece Farmilo, said. “We share a deep commitment to quality, innovation, and team culture. This partnership will open new doors for both advisors and clients, and we can’t wait to grow together.” In the future, Travel Beyond Group also plans to invest in new technologies,