The Skift Travel Podcast

As the year comes to a close, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko unpack Skift Megatrends 2026 and what the next phase of global travel could look like. The conversation spans some of the industry’s most consequential shifts, from declining alcohol consumption and its surprising upside for hospitality, to the growing dominance of luxury travel and whether it represents a lasting structural change or a fragile bubble. They also explore mounting friction around international travel to the U.S., including new border screening proposals and what they could mean for inbound demand ahead of the World Cup. Along the way, the hosts dig into hotel loyalty’s rising costs, why travelers are increasingly “loyalty mercenaries,” and how personalization and AI are reshaping the competitive landscape. The episode closes with a look at emerging aviation innovations, winners and losers of the week, and a final bet on whether U.S. inbound travel can break its losing streak heading into 2026. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising.amazon.com⁠⁠⁠ 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.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko sit down with Warren Fields, CEO of Pyramid Global Hospitality, one of the largest hotel management companies in the world. Fields offers a rare inside look at how hotel operators really think, from the economics of rising costs and stagnant revenues to the ongoing talent challenges reshaping hospitality. The conversation spans the full landscape of hotel operations: why management companies are in the “value creation business,” how Pyramid negotiates healthcare, insurance, and labor efficiencies at scale, and why personalization is becoming the new standard for both branded and independent hotels. Fields also shares his views on AI’s practical role in hotel operations, the future of non-alcoholic beverage trends, and the generational shift reshaping hotel jobs and workplace expectations. Plus, he gives candid advice to travelers on how to get better service, reflects on the industry’s most outdated habits, and explains what truly makes a hotel stay feel memorable. A sharp, behind-the-scenes look at the business of running hotels today. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon!⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising.amazon.com⁠⁠ 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.

On this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko sit down with Ken Cruse, CEO and Co-Founder of Soul Community Planet, one of hospitality’s most unconventional emerging brands. Cruse, whose background spans Marriott, Host Hotels, and Sunstone Hotel Investors, walks us through why he left the traditional hotel playbook behind to build a vertically integrated company centered on conscious living. Ken breaks down the philosophy that drove SCP’s creation, from its biophilic design and wellness-driven experiences to its “fair trade pricing” model that lets guests decide what they believe their stay was worth. He also talks candidly about the inefficiencies he sees across the industry, how AI and automation are reshaping hotel operations, the surprising demographics of the so-called “mindful traveler,” and how SCP raised 210 million dollars in venture capital for an asset-heavy hospitality concept. If you want a fresh perspective on what the next generation of hospitality brands might look like, why premium pricing doesn’t scare off today’s traveler, or how a hotel can blend community, wellness, and sustainability without losing financial discipline, this conversation offers a rare inside look. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠Amazon!⁠⁠⁠ To learn more, go to ⁠⁠⁠advertising.amazon.com⁠ 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.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko unpack one of the biggest stories in global tourism right now: Saudi Arabia’s explosive push to become a world travel hub. Fresh off a reporting trip to Riyadh, Sarah shares on-the-ground insights from Tourise—including the scale of development, the country’s prestige mega-projects, and the challenges of turning early momentum into mass-market appeal. Seth analyzes Saudi’s real tourism numbers and what they reveal about the nation’s long-term strategy. The episode also breaks down Google’s latest move into AI-powered travel booking and what it could mean for OTAs like Expedia and Booking. Plus, the hosts revisit the Marriott and Sonder fallout, debate a controversial bet tied to the Epstein files, and wrap the show with their weekly winners and losers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

In this airline-deep-dive edition of the Skift Travel Podcast, Head of Research Seth Borko teams up with Airline Editor Gordon Smith to unpack one of the most puzzling trends in global aviation: why ultra-low-cost carriers soar in Europe while their U.S. counterparts continue to stumble. Drawing on fresh analysis and industry reporting, they break down the cost pressures reshaping the American market, the rise of basic economy among network carriers, and why loyalty programs work so differently across continents. The conversation ranges from Ryanair’s viral social strategy to Frontier’s push for premium seating, the economics behind airport infrastructure, and the surprising ways geography shapes airline profitability. It’s a fast, highly informed tour through the forces redefining modern air travel. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko unpack a big week in travel and politics. Fresh off Skift Global Forum East in Abu Dhabi, they discuss how the center of gravity in global tourism is moving eastward and what it means for destinations across the Middle East and Asia. Then, they share exclusive insights from Skift’s interview with New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who reveals plans to boost the city’s tourism budget, tackle Airbnb regulation, and appoint a “tourism czar” ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The conversation wraps with highlights from Abu Dhabi’s aviation boom, TripAdvisor’s restructuring, and a surprising “winner of the week” involving pampered falcons. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko are joined by aviation attorney Jennifer Trock, a partner at Morgan Lewis and one of the leading legal minds in global aviation. Together, they unpack what the latest U.S. aviation legislation means for travelers — from a $12.5 billion overhaul of air traffic control to the slow path toward airport privatization. The conversation also explores the rise of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the regulatory hurdles ahead, and how the race toward flying taxis could redefine short-haul travel by 2028. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko unpack the transatlantic slowdown — why over a million European tourists are skipping the U.S. and what it means for global travel. Fresh off Skift’s first-ever Transatlantic Summit, they dive into the data behind the world’s most important travel corridor, exploring how politics, sustainability, and shifting traveler behavior are reshaping cross-Atlantic tourism. They also share insights from airline and rail leaders, debate the economics of sustainability, and launch a new rapid-fire format featuring predictions, myths, and travel tips. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

In this Skift Travel Podcast live session from Skift Global Forum, Skift’s Founding Editor Dennis Schaal sits down with Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking.com and Booking Holdings, for a wide-ranging discussion on how technology is reshaping online travel. Fogel reflects on Booking’s evolution from the dot-com era to the dawn of agentic AI, sharing how the company is using new tools to enhance customer experience, unify its connected trip vision, and expand its B2B partnerships. He also weighs in on competition with Airbnb, regulation challenges in Europe, and the future of distribution through large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini — offering an insider’s perspective on what it takes to stay ahead in an increasingly AI-driven travel landscape. Presented by ⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠. 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.

In this special Skift Travel Podcast live session from Skift Global Forum, Skift CEO and Founder Rafat Ali sits down with Brian Chesky, CEO and Founder of Airbnb, for an in-depth conversation about the company’s evolution and what’s next for one of the world’s most influential travel brands. Chesky discusses Airbnb’s bold expansion beyond stays into services and experiences, its renewed focus on hotels and global markets, and how the company is preparing for a new era of AI-powered travel. From addressing slowing growth to redefining how travelers book and experience trips, this wide-ranging discussion offers an unfiltered look into Airbnb’s future and the broader shifts shaping travel and technology. Presented by ⁠EF World Journeys⁠. 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.

Luxury hospitality veteran Anna Nash, now President of Explora Journeys, joins Skift’s Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko to unpack how the brand is reframing the cruise experience as “ocean travel.” From positioning ships as floating boutique hotels to balancing wellness, cuisine, and destination immersion, Nash shares how Explora Journeys is targeting both longtime cruisers and first-time travelers. The conversation explores challenges in standing out in a crowded luxury market, shifting booking behaviors, and the role of sustainability and community-building at sea. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

This week on the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko return from the Skift Global Forum in New York City with their biggest takeaways from the industry’s “Super Bowl.” They break down Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky’s remarks about the company “getting serious” about hotels, examine Expedia’s latest moves in artificial intelligence under Ariane Gorin, and reflect on how the forum’s conversations revealed broader trends shaping the future of travel. From loyalty programs to the shifting balance between short-term rentals and hotels, Sarah and Seth unpack the key insights and the moments that defined the week for travel leaders. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta joins Skift CEO/Founder Rafat Ali for a candid conversation about leadership, culture, and navigating nearly two decades at the top of one of the world’s largest hotel companies. Nassetta reflects on how his personal approach to hospitality — from cooking dinner for large groups of family and friends to leading a company of more than 7,000 properties — shapes Hilton’s culture and strategy. The discussion covers the demands of consistent global expansion, the role of technology in guest experience, and why leadership in hospitality is about more than numbers on a balance sheet. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

As Skift gears up for Global Forum in New York, this week’s podcast features a replay of our recent webinar, Online Travel in Flux. Seth Borko and Sarah Kopit join founding editor Dennis Schaal to explore the forces transforming online travel. From the rise of AI in trip planning to the latest OTA strategies, loyalty innovations, and regulatory pressures, the conversation provides a timely look at how the industry is evolving. Dennis also brings in perspective from past Skift Global Forums, where industry-shaping announcements have taken place, and offers a preview of the discussions likely to unfold on stage this year. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Key Takeaways: How AI adoption is influencing both consumers and travel companies The shifting balance between direct bookings, OTAs, and challenger platforms The outlook for RevPAR and what “RevPAR Zero” means for hotels The rise of B2B as a growth engine for online travel companies Talent, loyalty, and the long-term impact of AI on the travel workforce Regulation and its potential to shape the competitive landscape 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.

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is on, and New York–New Jersey is set to host the world’s biggest stage — including the final at MetLife Stadium. Seth Borko and Sarah Kopit sit down with Bettina Garibaldi, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NYNJ Host Committee, to unpack how the region is preparing for an event expected to bring $3.3 billion in economic impact. From transit and mobility challenges to fan festivals and local business engagement, Bettina shares how the World Cup could transform the region’s hospitality landscape and leave a long-term tourism legacy. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠. Takeaways: New York–New Jersey will host eight matches and the final, expected to attract global audiences on par with 13 Super Bowls. The event is projected to deliver $3.3 billion in economic impact and support more than 26,000 jobs. Mobility and operations are top priorities, with agencies preparing for 80,000+ fans per match. Local businesses are encouraged to creatively engage visitors with thematic experiences, even without FIFA IP rights. The official FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park will run all 39 days of the tournament. Beyond 2026, the tournament is seen as a chance to strengthen the region’s long-term tourism and hospitality brand. 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.

Throughout the summer, Skift CEO Rafat Ali has been sitting down with travel leaders around the world for wide-ranging conversations about real estate, artificial intelligence, emerging destinations, independent hotels, and more.  For the last episode in this series, Ali sits down with Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern to talk about the evolution of Agoda over the last 20 years, with a particular focus on technology, artificial intelligence, and talent strategy. Morgenshtern discusses Agoda’s role within Booking Holdings, the company’s growth in Asia, and how it’s turning Bangkok into a tech hub by importing global talent and cultivating local engineers. The discussion dives deep into the real-world applications and limitations of generative AI – especially in enterprise settings – and how Agoda is integrating it across engineering, customer service, and product development. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠. Takeaways 1. Agoda Is Betting Big on AI—But Real Impact Takes Time: While generative AI has changed how engineers work, Morgenshtern says it’s not yet delivering the 5X or 10X productivity promised. Its true power lies in accelerating velocity and enabling new product features. 2. Bangkok as a Tech Hub Is No Accident: Agoda’s 50/50 model—pairing experienced global engineers with top local graduates—has transformed the Thai capital into what Morgenshtern calls “Silicon Valley in Bangkok.” 3. Customer Support Is the First Real AI Win: From translation to tone-matching to faster case resolution, generative AI is already improving customer experience and agent efficiency at scale. 4. Fintech Is the Next Loyalty Layer: Morgenshtern sees Agoda’s future in providing financial services to both consumers and partners, turning travel companies into banks and loyalty programs into financial ecosystems. 5. Vietnam’s Strategy Is a Tourism Case Study: While many markets are growing, Vietnam stands out for its deliberate, long-term approach to tourism development—including air routes, visa policy, and infrastructure investment. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

On this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, co-hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko return from their summer break with a high-speed conversation featuring Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl. Scholl shares how Boom is working to make three-hour transatlantic flights a reality by the end of the decade, why Concorde failed to scale, and how Boom’s technology could silence the dreaded sonic boom. From regulatory wins in Washington to airline pre-orders from United and American, Scholl lays out how supersonic travel could reshape global tourism, business, and culture. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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.

In this rare first-ever podcast appearance, Shai Zelering, Global Head of Hospitality Investments at Brookfield Real Estate, sits down with Skift CEO Rafat Ali to discuss how one of the world’s largest real estate investors is shaping the future of travel and hospitality. From billion-dollar acquisitions in Europe to long-term plays in India, Shai shares how Brookfield balances real estate fundamentals with operational excellence to build—not just extract—value in hospitality. They explore Brookfield’s strategy across markets, the challenges of aligning brands and owners, the rise of affordable travel solutions like Generator hostels, and the cultural edge of brands like Leela. The conversation also dives into Europe’s niche lodging products, the U.S. hospitality labor crunch, and why Zelering believes AI and better tech adoption could unleash a new golden era of hospitality service. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠. Key Themes: Brookfield’s $1B Generator hostels deal and Europe’s affordable travel market Long-term investment strategy in India: 10 years before the first deal Leela’s growth story, its IPO, and the challenge of exporting Indian luxury brands abroad Why niche lodging models like Center Parcs and Locke extended-stay are outperforming Differentiation vs. commoditization: why Brookfield avoids cookie-cutter hotels How traveler sentiment and credit card data guide investment decisions The misalignment between hotel brands and real estate owners in the U.S. What America can learn from India, Europe, and Latin America about hospitality as culture Technology adoption vs. technology creation: the industry’s Achilles’ heel Why AI could push hospitality to refocus on EQ and human connection

While Seth Borko and Sarah Kopit are taking a short summer break, we’re sharing another episode from our show, Good Morning Hospitality. If you caught the first crossover episode earlier this month, you heard from the Monday short-term rental crew. Today, we’re featuring the Wednesday hotel crew—⁠Sarah Dandashy and ⁠Steve Turk⁠—who cover hotels, travel, airlines, and the broader shifts shaping the hospitality industry. The episode you're hearing today was broadcast on August 8th, 2025. In this episode, they break down Marriott Hotels’ flat Q2 performance, a dip in U.S. hotel occupancy, and highlight new inclusive hiring programs where hotels are employing individuals with intellectual disabilities. On the travel front, they unpack the TSA’s potential rollback of the 3.4-ounce liquid rule, why Delta Air Lines is refusing to use AI for customer targeting, and the debate around a new U.S. visa bond proposal. The conversation is dynamic, with live audience participation from LinkedIn and YouTube shaping the discussion in real time. We’d love to hear what you think about these crossover episodes—email us at podcasts@skift.com with your feedback. Follow the Hosts: Steve Turk – ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sarah Dandashy –⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Skift CEO Rafat Ali talks with Euan McGlashan, Global Co-Founder, CEO, and Owner of Valor Hospitality Partners, about what’s broken—and what’s still worth rebuilding—in U.S. hospitality. With a presence in 20 countries and nearly 100 properties, Valor is redefining what hotel management looks like, from talent pipelines to franchise relationships to frontline culture.Ali opens with a provocation — that U.S. hospitality has, in many ways, lost the plot. McGlashan doesn’t disagree, but brings a global lens to the conversation, arguing that much of what’s broken can be traced back to culture, misaligned incentives, and outdated management models.McGlashan shares how Valor has grown by focusing on culture, purpose, and performance—not just scale. He breaks down what’s behind the industry’s worsening labor shortages and how emotional intelligence training has become core to Valor’s model. With a blunt take on the limits of brand-led loyalty and the traditional third-party operator model, McGlashan offers a vision for a more human, more effective version of hotel leadership.The discussion also covers Valor’s global growth strategy, how it balances working with big brands while protecting team identity, and why “doing the simple things brilliantly” is still the fastest way to win guest loyalty. Presented by ⁠EF World Journeys⁠.Key Themes What’s broken in U.S. hospitality and what it will take to fix it Reframing frontline hospitality roles as emotionally complex, high-value work Why culture, not branding, drives loyalty and performance Emotional intelligence training as a competitive advantage Redefining third-party management with purpose and commercial discipline How Valor grows globally while protecting team culture locally Why innovation means revolution, not imitation Building owner trust by running great hotels, not chasing headlines 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.