Travel

Updates on travel industry trends, tourism, and economic impact.

Travel
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
Travel
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,
Travel
US to require some tourists to pay US$15k bond for visa
The United States could require travellers from some countries to post bonds of up to US$15,000 to receive a visa, under a new pilot program. Visitors applying for U.S. tourism or business visas from countries with high overstay rates would need to pay a refundable bond, according to a draft of the new rule. The 12-month pilot program is set to begin later this month. “The Pilot Program will enable the [State] Department to assess the operational feasibility of posting, processing, and discharging visa bonds, in coordination with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security, and to inform any future decision concerning the possible use of visa bonds to ensure nonimmigrants using these visa categories comply with the terms and conditions of their visas and timely depart the United States,” the draft rule says. “Visa bonds may be required from certain applicants for B-1/B-2 visas who are nationals of countries identified by the Department of State as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient or, Citizenship by Investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement.” The State Department has yet to announce which countries wo
Travel
Seabourn to launch cruise from Arctic to Antarctica
Seabourn Cruise Line will launch a 94-day ‘Pole to Pole’ cruise from the Arctic to Antarctica, part of its expedition travel offerings. The route will visit 14 countries and territories across 20,500 nautical miles, including Iceland, Greenland, Barbados, and Brazil. Passengers will take part in nature and wildlife experiences led by scientists and naturalists. “Our Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition is unlike anything we've ever offered and is a once-in-a-lifetime journey designed for travellers who dream of exploring the ends of the Earth in total comfort and luxury,” said Seabourn president Mark Tamis. “From the High Arctic to Antarctica, guests will sail through some of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth, all while enjoying the hallmarks of Seabourn's luxury experience. It is an extraordinary voyage that only Seabourn can deliver.” Tickets will be available to the public from 13 August, with prices not yet announced. The cruise will set sail in August 2027. An 82-day expedition route is also available, which will depart 12 days later. The cruise will be held aboard the Seabourn Venture, an expedition ship that accommodates 264 passengers. The Venture includes two submarines, and has previously sailed
Travel
Air travel demand growth slows down to 2.6%: IATA
Demand for air travel in June fell, experiencing just a 2.6% year-over-year increase in travellers. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general, Willie Walsh, attributes this slowdown to geopolitical issues. “[2.6% is] a slower pace than we have seen in previous months and reflects disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East,” Walsh said. “With demand growth lagging the 3.4% capacity expansion, load factors dipped 0.6 percentage points from their all-time record-high levels.” However, load factors remain strong with an 84.4% increase. Walsh also said he doesn’t expect any slowdown in growth during August. “With a modest 1.8% capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the Northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs,” he said. International growth reached 3.2% year-on-year; however, load factors fell across all regions as capacity growth outstripped demand. Middle East airlines saw the steepest decline, with demand falling by 0.4% year-over-year amid conflicts in the region that especially impacted travel on North American and European routes. Airlines in the Asia Pacific region saw the largest increase, with demand grow

Travel
Virgin pet cabin service on track, pilot holds final say
Virgin Australia has confirmed its plan to allow small pets in the cabin is on track to launch by the end of 2025, marking a first for Australian commercial aviation. The airline received regulatory approval from Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) to amend some food safety rules that previously classified aircraft as restaurants, thereby prohibiting animals onboard. CEO Dave Emerson cited this exemption as a key milestone, enabling pets like cats and dogs to travel on airline-approved carriers stowed under the seat on select domestic routes. Under the new policy, pets must weigh no more than 8kg (including a carrier), remain contained at all times, and be restricted to designated rows separate from general seating. While demand is reportedly strong, Virgin has not confirmed whether passengers can opt out of sitting near animals. Importantly, final approval for pet carriage on any flight rests with the pilot in command, as per Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules. Pilots retain discretion to deny animals onboard if safety or operational integrity is at risk. Virgin’s move aligns with practices in North America and Europe, where carriers like Delta and United allow small pets in cabins for a f
Travel
United Airlines flight attendants vote down contract
United Airlines' flight attendants have voted down a new contract that would lead to raises of at least 26% and other quality of life improvements. Their union, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) represents 28,000 flight attendants and with 92% of eligible members casting a ballot 71% voted not to ratify the agreement. The last time flight attendants received a raise was in 2020 and president of the AFA United Airlines chapter, Ken Diaz, said flight attendants need improvements as soon as possible. “United Flight Attendants today voted to send a strong message to United Airlines management by rejecting a tentative agreement that didn’t go far enough to address the years of sacrifice and hard work to make the airline the success it is today,” Diaz said. “This is democracy in action.” Diaz said he would survey members about key improvements they wanted in another contract. This comes after the airline had reached a tentative agreement in May that included 40% of total economic improvements in the first year and retroactive pay, a singing bonus and other quality of life improvements. It also follows years of flight attendants pushing for wage increases. Other airlines have created new labour deals wit
Travel
Royal Caribbean lifts guidance, passenger numbers surge
Royal Caribbean Group has lifted its full-year guidance, after posting major growth in passengers, revenue, and earnings per share. Revenue was US$4.54 billion, up 10.4% year-over-year but below LSEG estimates of $4.55 billion. Adjusted earnings per share were $4.38, rising from $3.21 one year ago and above estimates of $4.09. “Demand for our portfolio of brands and our industry-leading experiences continues to accelerate. Grounded in our mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, we remain keenly focused on delivering exceptional value for our guests and shareholders — not just by executing today, but by staying ahead of where demand is going,” said Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty. “We are well on our way to achieving our Perfecta financial targets by the end of 2027. As we look beyond 2027, we see another step change in growth as we deepen our moat with a powerful pipeline of incredible new ships, the ramp-up of our highly differentiated new destinations and river cruising, and continued investments in disruptive technology, personalization and loyalty.” The company served 2.3 million guests last quarter, up 10% year-over-year. Its capacity increased by 5.8%, and occupancy levels reached 110.3% as mor
Travel
SIA Group delivers resilient Q1 amid profit decline
Singapore Airlines Group (SIA) posted a resilient operating profit of $405 million for Q1 FY2025/26, despite macroeconomic headwinds and rising costs. Total revenue rose 1.5% year-on-year to $4.79 billion, buoyed by record passenger volumes of 10.3 million across Singapore Airlines and Scoot. However, operating profit fell 13.8%, and net profit plunged 58.8% to $186 million, largely due to lower interest income and losses from associates, including its stake in Air India. “In addition to the lower operating profit, the reduction in net profit was largely attributable to a lower interest income on the back of lower cash balances and interest rate cuts, and the Group recording a share of losses of associated companies compared to a share of profits for the same quarter last year,” SIA said in its earnings statement. The SIA stock dropped more than 8% and logged its biggest intra-day decline since August 2024.Credit: SIA GroupPassenger yields declined amid industry-wide capacity growth, while non-fuel costs surged 8.5% due to inflation and expanded operations. The Group’s balance sheet remains robust, with shareholder equity rising to $15.8 billion and total debt reduced by $1.4 billion, improving its debt-equity ratio