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Skift
21-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Google's New AI Mode, Congress' Favorite Travel Stocks, and Hotels.com's AI Planner
For today's pod we look at some really big AI announcements by Google and a smaller one by We also look at the stocks members of the U.S. congress are trading. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Wednesday, May 21. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Google unveiled a series of travel-related AI upgrades at its developer conference on Tuesday, writes Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes. Dawes reports the upgrades include plans for smart glasses with tools for live voice translation and a connection to Google Maps for real-time navigation. The big Search upgrade comes through AI Mode, which Google made widely available to users in the U.S. on Tuesday. The company said AI Mode is more advanced, meaning that users can perform complicated searches in one go. Google added that its new 'agentic' search capability should enable AI Mode to complete searches across multiple websites on the user's behalf. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, members of Congress are not only helping shape the travel industry, some of them are investing in it. More than three dozen lawmakers and their spouses have traded stocks in travel companies, writes Contributor Dave Levinthal. Federal lawmakers and their spouses have made close to 600 individual travel industry-related stock trades since the 2021-2022 congressional session. That's according to a Skift analysis of congressional financial records. Levinthal notes the purchases and sales of shares are worth well into the millions of dollars. Booking Holdings, Marriott, and Airbnb are the three most frequently traded travel stocks by members of Congress and their spouses. Finally, has unveiled a new chatbot trip planner, and Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes explains how it works. The app got a smart filter meant to allow users to sort property searches with preferences, like a rooftop bar. The app is simple to use, but we also uncovered several errors. Another issue: Since the app doesn't sell flights or experiences, those can't be added to the itinerary.
Time Out
20-05-2025
- Time Out
The UK city break destination that is the most expensive in western Europe (and it's not London)
Think London prices are extortionate? Well, you'd be correct. But a new report has revealed that there's one UK city that actually ranks above the capital as one of the most costly places on the continent for a city break. For its City Costs Barometer 2025, Post Office Travel Money did some number crunching and revealed that the combined cost of different tourist expenses in Edinburgh is higher than any other city in western Europe. The most costly part of staying in the Scottish capital is the accommodation. According to data from the average price for two nights in one of the city centre's three-star hotels is £399. That's for the ten cheapest en-suite rooms available between June 6 and 8. Edinburgh's 48-hour public transport pass is also more expensive than most other European cities at £22, it's 'top tourist heritage attraction' Edinburgh Castle costs £19.50 to enter and a simple filter coffee will set you back £3.50. Add the average price of a glass of wine, a return airport bus, a three course evening meal and a sight-seeing bus tour and in total, a trip to Edinburgh amounts to £601.50. The report also highlighted that costs tend to escalate during peak season, such as when the Edinburgh Fringe is on, and with the city's incoming tourist tax, it could be set to get even more spenny. Across Europe as a whole, Edinburgh emerged as the third most expensive to visit, trumped only by Copenhagen and Oslo. London placed 26th with a total cost of £525.40. and a bunch of affordable places to eat and wallet-friendly hotels, too.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
City break destination most expensive in western Europe - and it's not London
The total average price of accommodation and other typical tourist expenses is higher in the Scottish capital than other cities in the region, according to a new report Edinburgh has been named the priciest city break destination in western Europe, according to a recent report by Post Office Travel Money. The study revealed that the average cost of accommodation and typical tourist expenses is higher in the Scottish capital than other cities in the region. This includes a hefty £399 for a two-night stay in three-star city centre accommodation. The figure was calculated based on the average price of the 10 cheapest ensuite rooms available on for stays from June 6 to 8. Accommodation costs in Edinburgh skyrocket even further during the school summer holidays and the August festivals. Airbnb warned last November that Edinburgh's strict enforcement of new regulations on accommodation is "highly restrictive", causing rents and hotel prices in the city to "soar to record highs". A licensing scheme for short-term let accommodation was introduced across Scotland in October 2023 due to concerns about the impact on long-term rent prices. Other items that are more expensive in Edinburgh than most other tourist destinations include a 48-hour public transport pass (£22), entry to its top tourist heritage attraction, Edinburgh Castle (£19.50), and a cup of filter coffee in a cafe or bar (£3.50). Edinburgh has topped the list as the priciest western European city, beating others even with free entry to its "top museum" and "top art gallery" – the esteemed National Museum of Scotland and National Galleries of Scotland. Shoppers found themselves coughing up an eye-watering £601.50 for a standard basket of goods in Edinburgh. This staggering sum is more than twice as much as one would shell out in Lisbon (£292.27), deemed the most affordable western European city analysed in the study. Significantly, the report didn't factor in the price of travel costs such as flight fares. The comprehensive survey examined prices spanning 38 cities all over Europe, discovering that eastern European destinations offer the best bang for your buck. Leading the way for value was Latvia's capital Riga, with a total spend of just £252.63, closely tailed by Lithuania's capital Vilnius at £254.32. On the flip side, Norway's Oslo was the heftiest hit to the wallet across the whole of Europe, setting you back £636.20. Focusing on the UK, Cardiff emerged as the 17th most costly with expenditure of £374.90, whilst London placed 26th with a total cost of £523.40 and Edinburgh trailed behind at 36th. Laura Plunkett, the head of Post Office Travel Money, advised: "Although city break holidaymakers need to keep a watchful eye on exchange rates, the real challenge will be the cost of accommodation in the cities Britons are considering." Highlighting the unpredictable nature of lodging expenses, she noted how prices tend to see "big swings in hotel costs depending on how many rooms are available in peak months". She continued, saying: "Vilnius lost its top spot in the latest chart because the cost of accommodation has risen by over 9% since last year, while it has fallen over 20% in Riga in the same period." A representative for VisitScotland, the Scottish Government's tourism body, emphasised that Edinburgh boasts "a variety of experiences and accommodation options to suit a range of budgets". The spokesperson pointed out that VisitScotland is actively persuading the tourism sector to "consider the importance of providing great quality services and hospitality that offer value for money". Additionally, she mentioned: "We are currently creating an accommodation monitor using data from tourism and events industry sources. This will help clarify performance and price competitiveness in the accommodation sector going forward." Lowest-priced cities 1. Riga £252.63 2. Vilnius £254.32 3. Warsaw £277.39 4. Podgorica £281.70 5. Lisbon £292.27 6. Lille £293.26 7. Gdansk £297.08 8. Krakow £300.24 9. Porto £304.66 10. Zagreb £310.56 Most expensive cities 1. Oslo £636.20 2. Copenhagen £628.64 3. Edinburgh £601.50 4. Venice £591.12 5. Berlin £587.65 6. Amsterdam £582.79 7. Geneva £570.04 8. Dublin £568.34 Article continues below 9. Barcelona £561.90 10. Florence £561.86
Daily Record
17-05-2025
- Daily Record
Edinburgh is most expensive city break destination in western Europe
Deep pockets are required for the Scottish capital. Edinburgh has been ranked the most expensive major city break destination in western Europe, according to a new report. Analysis by Post Office Travel Money found the total average price of accommodation and other typical tourist expenses is higher in the Scottish capital than other cities in the region. This included £399 for two nights staying in three-star city centre accommodation. The figure was based on the average price of the 10 cheapest ensuite rooms for stays from June 6 to 8, available on booking website Accommodation in Edinburgh is even more expensive during the school summer holidays and the August festivals. Short-term let booking company Airbnb warned in November last year that Edinburgh's enforcement of new regulations on the accommodation is 'highly restrictive' and means rents and hotel prices in the city have 'soared to record highs'. A licensing scheme for short-term let accommodation came into force across Scotland in October 2023 amid concerns about the impact of the accommodation on long-term rent prices. Other items that are more expensive in Edinburgh than most other tourist destinations are a 48-hour public transport pass (£22), entry to its 'top tourist heritage attraction' – Edinburgh Castle (£19.50) – and a cup of filter coffee in a cafe or bar (£3.50). Edinburgh was ranked the most expensive western European city despite admission to its 'top museum' and 'top art gallery' – the National Museum of Scotland and National Galleries of Scotland respectively – being free. The overall price in Edinburgh was found to cost £601.50. That is more than double the cost in Lisbon (£292.27), the cheapest western European city analysed. Travel costs to reach destinations such as flight tickets were not taken into account. The report looked at prices in 38 cities across the whole of the continent, and found eastern European cities have the best value. Latvia's Riga was ranked number one with a total cost of £252.63, followed by Lithuania's Vilnius (£254.32). The most expensive was Norway's Oslo (£636.20). In the UK, Cardiff (£374.90) was ranked 17th, while London (£523.40) was 26th and Edinburgh was 36th. Laura Plunkett, head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: 'Although city break holidaymakers need to keep a watchful eye on exchange rates, the real challenge will be the cost of accommodation in the cities Britons are considering.' She said price analysis often finds 'big swings in hotel costs depending on how many rooms are available in peak months'. She added: 'Vilnius lost its top spot in the latest chart because the cost of accommodation has risen by over 9% since last year, while it has fallen over 20% in Riga in the same period.' A spokesperson for Scottish Government tourism organisation VisitScotland insisted Edinburgh has 'a variety of experiences and accommodation options to suit a range of budgets'. She said VisitScotland is encouraging the tourism industry to 'consider the importance of providing great quality services and hospitality that offer value for money'. She added: 'We are currently creating an accommodation monitor using data from tourism and events industry sources. 'This will help clarify performance and price competitiveness in the accommodation sector going forward.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The National
17-05-2025
- The National
Scottish city most expensive city break in western Europe
Analysis by Post Office Travel Money found the total average price of accommodation and other typical tourist expenses is higher in the Scottish capital than other cities in the region. This included £399 for two nights in three-star city centre accommodation. The figure was based on the average price of the 10 cheapest ensuite rooms for stays from June 6 to 8 available on booking website READ MORE: When was the last hosepipe ban in Scotland and will we see one this year? Accommodation in Edinburgh is even more expensive during the school summer holidays and the August festivals. Short-term let booking company Airbnb warned in November last year that Edinburgh's enforcement of new regulations on the accommodation is 'highly restrictive' and means rents and hotel prices in the city have 'soared to record highs'. A licensing scheme for short-term let accommodation came into force across Scotland in October 2023 amid concerns about the impact of the accommodation on long-term rent prices. Other items that are more expensive in Edinburgh than most other tourist destinations are a 48-hour public transport pass (£22), entry to its 'top tourist heritage attraction' – Edinburgh Castle (£19.50) – and a cup of filter coffee in a cafe or bar (£3.50). Edinburgh was ranked the most expensive western European city despite admission to its 'top museum' and 'top art gallery' – the National Museum of Scotland and National Galleries of Scotland respectively – being free. The overall basket of goods in Edinburgh was found to cost £601.50. That is more than double the cost in Lisbon (£292.27), the cheapest western European city analysed. Travel costs to reach destinations such as flight tickets were not taken into account. The report looked at prices in 38 cities across the whole of the continent, and found eastern European cities have the best value. Latvia's Riga was ranked number one with a total cost of £252.63, followed by Lithuania's Vilnius (£254.32). The most expensive was Norway's Oslo (£636.20). In the UK, Cardiff (£374.90) was ranked 17th, while London (£523.40) was 26th and Edinburgh was 36th. Laura Plunkett, head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: 'Although city break holidaymakers need to keep a watchful eye on exchange rates, the real challenge will be the cost of accommodation in the cities Britons are considering.' She said price analysis often finds 'big swings in hotel costs depending on how many rooms are available in peak months'. READ MORE: Scottish beer garden with 'breath-taking' views named among best in UK She added: 'Vilnius lost its top spot in the latest chart because the cost of accommodation has risen by over 9% since last year, while it has fallen over 20% in Riga in the same period.' A spokesperson for Scottish Government tourism organisation VisitScotland insisted Edinburgh has 'a variety of experiences and accommodation options to suit a range of budgets'. She said VisitScotland is encouraging the tourism industry to 'consider the importance of providing great quality services and hospitality that offer value for money'. She added: 'We are currently creating an accommodation monitor using data from tourism and events industry sources. 'This will help clarify performance and price competitiveness in the accommodation sector going forward.'
