The Skift Podcast

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Skift CEO Rafat Ali interviews Ian Di Tullio, the global chief commercial officer of Minor Hotels. They discuss the growth and strategy of Minor Hotels, the impact of recent events like earthquakes on the hospitality industry, and the evolving landscape of loyalty programs. Ian shares insights on market dynamics, forward bookings, and the influence of popular culture, particularly the White Lotus series, on hotel bookings and brand visibility. They discuss the impact of cinematography on hotel bookings – particularly in locations like Thailand and Sicily. He elaborates on the development of a film tourism strategy and the importance of emerging markets such as India and the Middle East. The discussion also covers the diversification of source markets, the dynamics of the luxury market in China, and the niche positioning of hotels in the U.S. Additionally, Di Tullio highlights the transformative impact of AI on operations and the company's technology acquisition