The Skift Podcast

This week’s conversation takes a small turn to our recent Megatrends event in London. Guest host Gordon Smith, who you can hear on the Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast, is joined by Hannah Bennett, head of travel at TikTok, to talk about how TikTok has transformed the travel industry. They discuss how the platform is used not only for inspiration but also for actual travel planning and bookings. The discussion touches on real-world examples of brands successfully leveraging TikTok, the importance of authentic and behind‑the‑scenes content, evolving audience demographics, emerging travel ad products, and even regulatory challenges that TikTok faces. Takeaways TikTok as a Travel Discovery Engine: TikTok is now a primary platform for travel inspiration, where users go beyond glossy images to experience authentic, full-journey travel content.  Authenticity and Creator Influence: TikTok creators share genuine, behind‑the‑scenes travel experiences that resonate with viewers, making their recommendations highly trus