The Skift Podcast

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/skif

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:

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:

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.ins

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.threa

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 Subsc

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:

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

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 im

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 encour

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. Takeaways 1. Agoda Is Betting Big on AI—But Real Impact Takes Time: While generative AI has changed how engineers work, Morgenshtern sa

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. 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

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 trave

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

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-par

Wil Slickers here again, and I’m closing out our summer break by sharing one of my favorite episodes from Slick Talk — a deep, future-focused conversation with Richard Valtr, founder of Mews. Richard and I go beyond operations to explore what it means to think theologically about hospitality: why the real competition isn’t other hotels but the hours outside of a guest’s sleep, how technology should drive growth instead of just cutting costs, and what it takes to turn a property into a lifestyle brand. We talk about Mews’ journey from serving independents to winning enterprise clients, the role of acquisitions like Nomi Travel, and how AI, personalization, and a richer 24-hour guest experience could redefine our industry. This one’s for anyone who wants to think bigger about what hospitality can be. Follow the Hosts: Wil Slickers – ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠htt

Join industry leaders Rafat Ali, CEO & Co-Founder of Skift, and Siradej "Champ" Donavanik, Vice President Development (Global), of Dusit International, as they explore how Asian hospitality brands are carving out a unique identity amid global competition. From managing villas across continents to expanding beyond Thailand, they discuss the importance of cultural authenticity, personalized guest experiences, and balancing technology with the human touch. Dive into the challenges and opportunities facing Southeast Asia’s booming travel markets, the impact of geopolitical shifts on tourism, and how Dusit leverages bespoke hospitality and strategic partnerships to grow in diverse markets, including India, China, Japan, and Europe. Learn how innovation, tradition, and education intersect to redefine what hospitality means in an increasingly connected world. Presented by EF World Journeys. Key Themes:- Managing and marketing villas across 20+ countries on four continents- Diversifying beyond Thailand: growth

While Sarah and Seth are on a summer break, we are taking the opportunity to introduce listeners to new shows. Today that is a Suite Success episode. Host Katie Cline sits down with Top Chef judge and culinary storyteller Gail Simmons to talk travel, taste, and the unexpected power of a good meal. From her early days in food media to two decades on Top Chef, Gail reflects on how curiosity—and a few bold leaps—shaped her career. She shares how food became her lens for understanding people and places, and why the best bites often come from the most surprising cities. Whether you’re building a brand, booking a trip, or dreaming up your next dinner party, Gail’s insights will leave you hungry for more. Presented by EF World Journeys. Connect with Gail: Gail's Instagram – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gail's Website – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gail's Substack – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with

This is a special crossover episode between Good Morning Hospitality and the Skift Travel Podcast. Following the recent acquisition of Good Morning Hospitality and Hospitality.FM by Skift, we’re sharing this episode to introduce Skift listeners to the voices, format, and perspective that power one of the industry’s most dynamic live podcasts. Good Morning Hospitality is a live, twice-weekly podcast covering the latest in short-term rentals, hotels, guest experience, and travel industry trends — hosted by a team of operators, analysts, and creators who are in it every day. In this crossover episode, hosts Wil Slickers (Skift’s new Director of Audio and Video Strategy), Brandy Canaley (COO at Roami), Jamie Lane (Chief Economist at AirDNA), and Michael Goldin (COO/Co-Founder of Nook) share their top predictions for hospitality in 2025 — from STR performance and pricing shifts to hotel tech, guest expectations, and the impact of AI across the industry. Whether you're new to GMH or already a listener, this con

Skift CEO Rafat Ali talks with Chris Kelsey, President of Dart Interests, about how the firm is pushing the boundaries of what a resort can be. At the heart of the conversation is Evermore Orlando, Dart’s $2.5 billion destination next to Disney World that blends managed vacation rentals with luxury hotels, all designed with families and groups in mind. Kelsey breaks down why the traditional split between short-term rentals and hotels no longer works for modern travelers and how Evermore aims to fill that gap. He also shares how loyalty plays a central role in Dart’s strategy, especially through its alignment with Hilton Honors, and why they’ve embraced what he calls an “anti-theme park” philosophy when it comes to design. The discussion spans the evolution of Evermore, Dart’s growing portfolio across mountain and beach markets, and how the company is rethinking fundamentals like food and beverage, landscaping, and labor models. It's a deep dive into what happens when long-term vision, intentional design, an