Airbnb Expands Services, Southwest Joins Priceline and Choice Looks Abroad

For today’s pod, we look at Airbnb‘s updated experiences, Southwest new deal with Priceline, and Choice Hotels’ growth options.

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Airbnb shared early trends and updates on its relaunched Experiences product and new Services segment, writes Executive Editor Dennis Schaal.

The company said it processed 60,000 host applications for Experiences and Airbnb Services, where guests can order everything from private chefs to hair styling at a property. In addition, people who have booked Airbnb Experiences and Services gave those products higher reviews on average than stays.

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Chief Financial Officer Ellie Mertz said Airbnb will be marketing stays, Services, and Experiences as one brand.

Next, Southwest Airlines will now be available to book on Priceline, making it the second online travel agency to partner with the carrier, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.

Maharishi reports that Southwest flights will also be available across other Booking Holdings platforms, including Booking.com and Agoda. Southwest’s deal with Priceline comes after it announced a partnership with Expedia in February to host the carrier’s flights.

Southwest had previously resisted online travel agencies and encouraged direct bookings as a way to build loyalty and reduce distribution costs.

Finally, Choice Hotels said it’s focusing on global growth as business in the U.S. softens, writes Hospitality Reporter Luke Martin.

Choice executives said the company opened 15% more rooms internationally during the second quarter than it did last year, a higher figure than in the U.S. And Choice recently reached deals that would see the company grow in France and China.

Choice’s revenue per available room in the U.S. fell nearly 3%, and the company lowered its 2025 forecast. It now expects growth to land between flat and a decline of 3%.

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