** Travel stocks are surging on Thurs after Delta Air Lines DAL.N forecasted a brighter profit outlook for coming quarters, fueling optimism about a rebound in tourism

** Rival U.S.-based carriers United Airlines UAL.O and American Airlines AAL.O surging ~12%; Alaska Air Group ALK.N up almost 9%

** Delta forecasted 2025 profit above estimates and said it expects lower seating capacity to lift ticket prices

** Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war dented consumer and business confidence, hitting travel bookings

** Car rental co Hertz Global HTZ.O soaring 13%, with rival Avis Budget CAR.O up ~7%

** Cruiseline co Norwegian Cruise Line NCLH.N jumping 4.5% and peer Carnival Corp CCL.N up ~2%

** Tripadvisor TRIP.O and Expedia EXPE.O both up >4%, Las Vegas Sands LVS.N up 1.3%, Airbnb ABNB.O up 0.9%

(Reporting by Noel Randewich)

((noel.randewich@thomsonreuters.com))