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Best Western Hotels & Resorts is unique in that it runs through a non-profit membership model. Here, we look at the 18 member brands that form its portfolio, breaking them all down by type, cost, and room count. https://hubs.li/Q03VvVHv0

Incentive trips to far-flung destinations are no longer a given as companies tighten their budgets and rethink their level of risk aversion. Destinations like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are poised to fill the gap, as are the Caribbean, Mexico, and Continental U.S. resort destinations. “Cost and uncertainty have moved into the top tier of short-term challenges for North American buyers, and that is tempering long-haul, higher-risk international choices and nudging more programs toward short-haul, ‘easier’ options,” said Annette Gregg, CEO of the SITE - Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). https://hubs.li/Q03Vntrt0

For the second year in a row, the UN climate negotiations gave tourism dedicated space, with COP30 Brazil allocating two full days to a sector responsible for nearly 9% of global emissions. Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism opened discussions by acknowledging the sector’s climate impact and urging deeper private-sector engagement alongside government action. “We are aware that transformation isn’t only driven by public policy,” said Ana Carolina Farvero, head of tourism sustainability at the ministry. “The private sector is a crucial ally — from hotels and tourism operators to digital platforms and airlines.” https://hubs.li/Q03Vntc-0

Start your new year off right with Skift's NYC Megatrends event on January 22, 2026.

“We realize that hotels are not just places to stay, but places to connect and be inspired. I like to say that Pullman is one plus one equals something new. Whether people travel for business or leisure, they want to connect with something bigger than themselves.” —Benoît Racle, Global Brand President, Premium, Accor Discover how Accor is bringing new life to Pullman, its longest-running brand, while honoring a legacy that began in 1859. Get the full story: https://hubs.li/Q03T_rTC0 Sponsored by Pullman Hotels & Resorts

Low fares still matter, and travelers want choices that elevate the journey. Ahead of his session at the Skift Aviation Forum, Allegiant CEO and President Greg Anderson shares why demand for “premium within value” is rising among leisure flyers. He highlights how customers are willing to pay for comfort and control, how digital habits are shaping smarter personalization, and why this moment is a major opportunity for low-cost airlines. 📰 Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03Vh3nm0 💺 Reserve your seat: https://hubs.li/Q03Vh1Rg0

Brand USA edges closer to restored funding, airlines brace for an uncertain 2026, and Peek makes a major play in the fast-growing experiences sector. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, ⁠Sarah Dandashy⁠ breaks down the bipartisan effort to revive U.S. tourism marketing, the industry outlook heading into the next cycle, and how Peek’s new acquisitions and funding round signal a broader digital shift in tours and activities. Articles Referenced: ⁠⁠⁠⁠🔗 Brand USA Funding Would Be Restored After 80% Cut Under New Bipartisan Bill⁠⁠: https://lnkd.in/gAmuhpBJ 🔗 Airlines in 2026: Flying into Trouble, or Still Holding Altitude?⁠⁠: https://lnkd.in/ggdJgCFX 🔗 Experiences Company Peek Announces Two Acquisitions, $70 Million in Funding⁠: https://lnkd.in/gXvkWYFi

Jennifer Hsieh, who headed Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy, said Marriott International made “a fairly quick decision” to make guests aware of Sonder’s demise so they wouldn’t abruptly lose access to their rooms. Speaking on a panel at the Phocuswright conference in San Diego on Thursday, Hsieh said Sonder was facing a severe liquidity crisis. Sonder’s properties became bookable on Marriott channels in mid-June, but on November 9, Marriott emailed guests staying at Sonder locations, instructing them to vacate by the next morning. Sonder officially shut down the following day. https://hubs.li/Q03VmMZN0

🚀 The travel industry’s biggest forecast is back. Join us this January for Skift Megatrends, where 200+ leaders gather for bold insights, futurecasting, and networking with the people shaping 2026. Don’t miss your front-row seat to the future of travel.

Google’s work on an agentic AI tool for booking flights and hotels has raised fresh questions about competition, distribution, and the future of online travel agencies, including Booking.com and Expedia Group. The tool is being developed with those OTAs, as well as hotel groups such as Choice Hotels International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Development. In a follow-up with Skift, Julie Farago, Google’s vice president of engineering for Travel and Local, sought to clarify the company’s intentions. “Google has no intention of becoming an online travel agency,” she said. https://hubs.li/Q03Vknzm0