AI Search Could Keep Europe’s Tourists Stuck in the Same Big Cities

Vrbo quietly exempts some listings from losing their legacy subscription plans while most hosts move to a 12% commission, Agoda makes its luxury pitch after doubling its premium hotel supply, and Europe’s push to spread tourists beyond its big cities runs into chatbots that keep recommending the obvious. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Bailey Schulz, Skift’s Global Tourism Reporter, breaks down why Vrbo’s unexplained grandfathering criteria are raising questions among hosts, what Agoda’s Capella deal does and doesn’t reveal about OTA economics for luxury hotels, and why AI search could undercut the efforts of destinations trying to spread visitors beyond the usual hotspots. This episode is brought to you by ZS Articles Referenced:Connect with Bailey SchulzVrbo Exempts Some Properties From Losing Subscription Plans — ScoopAgoda Doubles Premium Hotel Supply as Five-Star Search RisesEurope Wants Tourists Beyond Big Cities. AI Search Stands in the Way. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.