The Skift Travel Podcast
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Today we feature a discussion that took place on stage at the inaugural Skift India Summit this month in New Delhi, India. In this conversation Eric Garcetti, United States Ambassador to the Republic of India, speaks with Rafat Ali, Founder & CEO of Skift, about "Bridging the U.S. and India in the Decade Ahead". For more like this, visit live.skift.com to learn how you can attend our next industry defining live event.
Today we feature a discussion that took place on stage at the inaugural Skift India Summit this week in New Delhi, India. In this conversation Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson speaks with Skift Asia editor Peden Bhutia about "Connecting India to the World". For more like this, visit live.skift.com to learn how you can attend our next industry defining live event.
Last week, as the world came together to celebrate International Women's Day, news that a Brazilian tourist had accused seven men of gang rape in a remote region of India, prompted Skift Asia Editor Peden Bhutia to ask in her headline reporting on the story: “Is India Safe for Female Travelers?” In this episode, Peden and Skift Research Analyst Saniya Zanpure, both based in India, join Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit to discuss the case, its effects, their experiences as women in India, and why, ultimately, the answer to Peden’s question is: yes, everyone should visit India. Visit skift.com for continuing coverage of this story and all the latest travel news and research.
In our fifth and final episode covering Skift’s Megatrends for 2024, Editor-in-chief Sarah Kopit is joined by Skift Founder and CEO Rafat Ali to discuss two megatrends centered around technology, demographics, and the future of the human condition. You can see all of Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 right now at Skift.com/megatrends.
Pranavi Agarwal, Senior Research Analyst for Skift Research, speaks with Trip.com Group General Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Andy Washington, in a session titled “Reaching the Emerging Traveler”. This is a previously unreleased discussion from our Skift Megatrends event in London last month. You can read Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 right now at Skift.com/megatrends.
Our Megatrends series continues today as Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit is joined by Skift Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes, and Colin Nagy, a Skift contributor and host of The Skift Ideas Podcast, to tackle three of Skift's Megatrends for 2024 that deal with: artificial intelligence, the Ozempic era and "extreme wellness". They discuss how the travel business is being transformed by these advancements. You can see all of Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 right now at Skift.com/megatrends.
Continuing our series on Skift’s Megatrends for 2024, today we feature a conversation focused on developments reshaping India, the Middle East, and by extension, the whole of the global travel business. Up for discussion are Megatrends on the growing Indian middle class, a potential short-term rental boom in the Middle East, and whether “Made in Dubai” will be next global brand. To explore these topics Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit is joined by two members of Skift’s editorial team well versed in these regions: India-based Asia Editor Peden Domo Bhutia, and Dubai-based Middle East Reporter Josh Corder. You can see all of Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 right now at Skift.com/megatrends.
On our second episode exploring Skift’s Megatrends for 2024, Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit is joined by Managing Editor Lex Harris, Airlines Editor and Reporter Gordon Smith, and Airline Weekly Senior Analyst Jay Shabat, to discuss our three most "problematic" Megatrends. They cover: the current uproar over Junk Fees, the continuing supply chain issues faced by the aviation sector, and the impacts of the burgeoning climate crisis on the business of travel. You can see all of Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 right now at Skift.com/megatrends.
Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 were released at the beginning of the year, our 12th annual reporting on the trends defining the travel industry. Today, we’re proud to present the first episode in a series highlighting these Megatrends featuring Skift’s editor-in-chief Sarah Kopit and Skift Hotel Editor Sean O’Neil. They discuss the Megatrend that Sean himself penned, entitled “How Hotels will Seduce the Middle Class Traveler”, where Sean explains how a growing global middle class and ample opportunity in mid-market hospitality should result in continued and increasing investment in so-called select service hotels. Sean spoke with Wyndham Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Checchio at the Megatrends release event in New York last week and he relates how Wyndham and other major hotel players, such as Hyatt and Hilton, are approaching this focus on Midscale. Sarah and Sean also discuss other Megatrends related to: the growing Indian middle class, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the controversy surrounding hotel junk fees. You can read the Skift Megatrends for 2024 right now at skift.com/megatrends
One year ago, on January 8 2023, China began reopening to tourism. In our first dispatch of 2024, Skift founder and CEO, Rafat Ali, talks with Check-In Asia director, Gary Bowerman, to discuss the state of Chinese tourism. It is a wide-ranging conversation covering the evolution of the Chinese reopening, how China is addressing the "3 pillars" of travel and tourism, visas, the importance of travel influencers in China, and much more. If you enjoy this conversation visit skift.com for breaking travel news, the latest research, and industry-defining events.
Today we feature Hany Abdelkawi, Head of Travel Sales for Google, in conversation with Skift CEO and Founder, Rafat Ali, on stage in Dubai at Skift Global Forum East this December. They spoke on the topic of "Connections in the Age of AI". Visit live.skift.com to learn more about how you can attend or view our next industry defining event.
Today we feature Kerzner Internaltional CEO, Philippe Zuber, in conversation with Skift Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Kopit, on stage in Dubai at Skift Global Forum last week. They spoke on the topic of "Inspiring Innovation in the Age of AI". Visit live.skift.com to learn more about how you can attend or view our next industry defining event.
This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast is a rebroadcast of a session that took place at Skift Global Forum East in December of last year: His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism, speaks with Rafat Ali, Founder & CEO of Skift, on the topic of "Bringing Travel into the Future". As we prepare to return to Dubai on December 12-14, we're revisiting a few of the most popular sessions. Visit live.skift.com for info on how to attend or view Skift Global Forum East 2023.
This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast is a rebroadcast of a session that took place at Skift Global Forum East in December of last year. As we prepare to return to Dubai on December 12-14, we're revisiting a few of the most popular sessions. Visit live.skift.com for info on how to attend or view Skift Global Forum East 2023.
In anticipation of Skift Global Forum East, happening in Dubai December 12-14, I wanted to sit down with both our Middle East Report, Josh Corder, and Twenty31 Consulting (now Skift Advisory) Managing Director, Joe Naaman, to discuss a big picture view on growth and dynamics in the Middle East. In 45 minutes, we were able to just scratch the surface of our 25+ full speaker lineup and topic discussions slated for our Forum in December. If you haven’t secured your pass, get yours today as you don’t want to miss it. In this podcast, we discuss: How is the conflict in Israel being felt on the ground in the region? What is the anticipated impact for COP28 and did the World Cup deliver? How are countries planning ahead for Indian outbound travelers? What important changes have happened for China as a source market? The status of a GCC unified visa and what this means for tourism in the gulf. Supply and oversupply: how has the hospitality mix shifted and is it working? How has Dubai captured the market and what are other countries doing to compete? Listen in to this exciting discussion and join us at Skift Global Forum East this December as we gather representatives from the world’s leading brands who are eager to delve into the transformative global, economic, and technological trends shaping the travel industry. From aviation and hospitality to technology and online booking (and everything in between), this event is a unique opportunity to expand your industry knowledge and be inspired by the region and influential decision-makers in this space.
Today on the podcast we feature Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in conversation with Skift Founder and CEO Rafat Ali onstage at Skift Global Forum in New York City last month. Among a litany of subjects, Khosrowshahi discusses Uber’s high burn rate, its use of artificial intelligence, upcoming product releases like Uber Teens, Uber becoming a super app, and how essential the delivery service (Uber Eats) is to the business today. Visit live.skift.com to learn how you can attend our next industry defining live event. Up next is the Skift Aviation Forum, coming to Ft Worth, Texas on November 1.
This week Choice Hotels publicly offered to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts following months of private discussions between the two companies. This was pretty exciting in itself, with the last major M&A deal in the hotel industry being the Starwood-Marriott merger in 2015. However, later that day, more news broke that Wyndham had rejected Choice’s offer and saw its stock being halted on the NYSE. All of this drama had Skift's team asking: Are we covering Twitter here or the relatively stable hotel industry? In this episode Pranavi Agarwal, senior analyst at Skift Research, Skift senior hospitality editor, Sean O’Neill, and Alan Woinski, editor of the Daily Lodging Report, talk us through the details of the deal, what might be motivating each side's actions, and what the story tells us about the current state of the hospitality landscape.
Today, we’re happy to share the latest episode of The Skift Ideas Podcast, which recently returned with its fifth episode. In it, host Colin Nagy is joined by Harsha L'Acqua, Founder and CEO of Saira Hospitality. Together, they delve into the past and future of hospitality, and the undeniable importance of unlocking opportunities within communities. If you like what you hear, be sure to sure follow The Skift Ideas podcast for more candid conversations on the innovations and ideas powering the future of travel.
Today on the show, we play a rousing session from the recent 10th Annual Skift Global Forum that was held in New York City late last month. The session, titled "Travel's Future as AI Reshapes The World," features tech entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host, Jason Calacanis, along with Brad Gerstner, founder and CEO of Silicon Valley investment firm Altimeter, in discussion with Skift Founder and CEO Rafat Ali about the coming days when generative AI will become reliable and have a real effect on how the world operates. And they believe that could be the case in some areas in as soon as a year. If you enjoy this insightful and, at times, provocative conversation, learn about how to attend our next next Skift Live event by visiting Live.Skift.com. You can also find full video recordings of this session and many others at skift.com and on the official Skift News YouTube channel.
Skift Editorial Director of Events, Brian Quinn, and Research Director, Seth Borko, preview the topics and speakers of next week's Skift Global Forum. Happening September 26-28 in New York City, the momentous 10th annual Skift Global will explore the theme of "Connection in The age of AI" and feature leaders from throughout travel, deciphering the big trends facing the industry. Visit https://live.skift.com for information on speakers, schedules, and how to attend.
We’re back from our late summer break with a special live streamed panel discussion conducted by Skift's editorial team last week on September 5, the very day that New York City’s short-term rental crackdown went into effect. Skift Hospitality editor Sean O'Neill was joined on the panel by Executive editor Dennis Schaal, Travel Tech Reporter Justin Dawes, and Short-term rental reporter Srividya Kalyanaraman to discuss the details of the new regulations and how they effect hosts, travelers, hotels, the city, and the industry at large. Since this panel, Skift has reported that Airbnb—the brand synonymous with short-terms rentals—has lost 77% of its New York City listings over a three-month period. For this reporting and all of the latest news in the business of travel, visit Skift.com. And if you haven’t already, check out live.skift.com for information on how to attend the 10th annual Skift Global Forum in New York City this September 26–28, where we’ll feature leaders from throughout the travel industry on stage, including Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, who will no doubt have some comment to offer on the challenges posed by these regulations to Airbnb and other short-term rental players. Enjoy the conversation.
Today on the program, Skift Lead Producer Jose Marmolejos speaks with Miguel Neves, Editor-in-Chief of Skift Meetings and host of the Skift Meetings Podcast. This week, Miguel has been covering the sale of the core business of virtual event company Hopin—the pandemic era unicorn founded in 2019 that rose to a valuation of nearly $8 billion by August of 2021, but that by the following February had started laying off employees, culminating in its sale last week to cloud-based communications company RingCentral for a mere $15 million. As Miguel points out in his reporting: “That is billion with a b and million with an m.” In this conversation Miguel details the raise and decline of Hopin, how the established players in events never really had incentive to pursue virtual events outside of pandemic era lock downs, and the implications of the Hopin fire sale for the broader events industry. Check out Skift Meetings to find Miguel’s reporting, along with the latest guidance and inspiration for business event professionals, at meetings.skift.com.
Today we feature audio from a livestream presentation done this week by Skift research analysts Seth Borko, Pranavi Agarwal and Varsha Arora, where they discuss some key takeaways and stories from The State of Travel 2023, the comprehensive report that was just released by Skift research. Download the report at https://skift.com/insight/state-of-travel/ You can also head to research.skift.com to find this report as well as all of Skift Research’s in depth analysis of the global travel industry.
As we look ahead to the landmark 10th Skift Global Forum happening this September in New York City, today we take a look back at a panel session from Skift Global Forum 2016 correctly billed as "Legends of Online Travel". On the panel were: Brad Gerstner, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Altimeter Capital; Rich Barton, co founder and, at the time, Executive chairman of Zillow Group (he is currently CEO); Dara Khosrowshahi, then the President and CEO of Expedia (he is currently the CEO of Uber); Jay Walker, Founder of Priceline and CEO of Upside; and moderator Dennis Schaal, Skift’s Founding and Executive editor, who earlier that year had released the "Definitive Oral History of Online Travel", the authoritative account of the rise of the online travel agency. We revisit this session from nearly 7 years ago to assess just how prescient these esteemed speakers were as they discussed the future of online travel as seen from that far away time, still 3+ years before the onset of the global covid pandemic, and 6+ years from the broad release of ChatGPT, the widely-used generative AI tool that has sparked imaginations throughout the world and travel industry. As the panelists in this session point out, many of their predictions have been around since the 1990s ".com" boom and before, so what makes now the moment? The prognostications you’ll hear in this session give us some insight into the answer, and we can be certain that this question will loom large at the coming Skift Global Forum as our sessions look to tackle the theme of “Connection in the Age of AI”.
On Wednesday of last week, Skift broke the bombshell news that Expedia Group—the world’s leading Online Travel Agent—had decided to end its longstanding partnership with Hopper, a rival OTA that Expedia had nonetheless been providing hotel and vacation rental inventory for many years. What’s more, Expedia used their announcement to voice concerns about several practices employed by Hopper that they perceived to be detrimental to consumers. On this episode of the podcast Skift's Lead Producer Jose Marmolejos speaks with Skift's Founding Editor and Executive Editor Dennis Schaal (the journalist who broke that story), as well as Skift Research Analyst Pranavi Agarwal (who recently published the definitive deep dive report on Hopper’s business model and performance), about why this business relationship fell apart so suddenly and dramatically. They listen back to some clips from Dennis’ interview with Hopper CEO Frederic Lalonde at the Skift Global Forum this past September, get some unique insights from Pranavi’s unprecedented access to Hopper’s business while she authored her report, and dig into what this rupture could mean for Hopper, Expedia, and the entire online travel industry.
Skift Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia interviews Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam about the series of articles he's written recently for Skift.com that detail the plight of U.S. cities, how they are coping, and what they are doing to encourage both domestic and international tourists to return in the wake of the pandemic. You can find all of the articles referenced in this episode, as well as Dawit's continued reporting on the subject at Skift’s tourism hub.
Senior hospitality editor Sean O'Neill interviews travel tech reporter Justin Dawes about his experience on the floor of the Hospitality Industry Technology Expo and Conference, better known as HITEC. The conference bills itself as "the world's largest hospitality technology show," and Justin was there in Toronto last week covering it for Skift. In this interview, Justin talks about what he saw and heard at the conference from presenters and industry leaders, the current state of tech in the industry, and why—even amidst all the talk of AI, holograms and even robots—many hoteliers are talking about focusing on what matters: bringing their operations squarely into the 21st century, versus investing in tech for tech's sake. You can find all of Justin's reporting from HITEC at Skift.com, including comments from industry executives and videos of the cutting edge technology that was on display.
In late May, the Skift team returned from our annual retreat, which was held this year in Iceland. Still buzzing with the energy and lessons from that experience, we decided to share our insights in a special edition of the Skift podcast. CFO Michael Cunniff, Senior Director of Events Regina Yuen, and Human Resources head Mariana Ruiz joined CEO Rafat Ali to discuss their learnings about company retreats and the business of travel. As the conversation unfolded, they delved into the logistics and budgeting challenges of organizing company retreats. Cunniff and Yuen shared how coordinating flights, accommodations, and venues required careful planning and attention to detail, especially in a destination like Iceland with its unique logistical challenges. These Skift leaders reflected on the company’s growth and the increasing number of employees attending the retreats. They discussed how the retreats fostered a sense of connection and collaboration, both within teams and across the entire company. Ruiz emphasized how the retreats deepened personal connections and ultimately enhanced work synergy among staffers.
The short-term rental industry has experienced a major boom coming out of the pandemic, driven in large part by the surge in remote work. But what does the future hold, especially since the sector’s enormous recent growth may not be sustainable? Executives speaking at Skift’s Short-Term Rental Summit offered their thoughts about what comes next. To go deeper into short-term rentals, you can watch highlights from our June event or subscribe to the Skift Short-Term Rental Report.
In this special episode of the Skift Travel Podcast we introduce listeners to our newest show, the Skift Ideas podcast. Join travel industry thought leaders Rafat Ali and Colin Nagy on the new Skift Ideas podcast. On the Skift Ideas podcast we will immerse listeners in discussions regarding the latest innovations within the industry, focussing on the key topics of design, marketing, sustainability, experience and so much more. This first episode looks at the current state of creativity and innovation within the travel industry, and what ideas are already transforming the way we look at travel.
