The Skift Podcast

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, recorded live in New York City at our recent Megatrends event. Seth Borko sits down with Thomas Reiner from Altimeter Capital to discuss the transformative impact of AI on the travel industry. They cover the shift from traditional keyword searches to conversational AI, the importance of trust in AI-driven travel planning, and the implications for online travel agencies and direct bookings. The conversation also explores the role of user-generated content and voice technology in enhancing the travel experience. Takeaways AI agents will significantly change how travel is planned. The travel industry is moving towards conversational AI. Trust in AI is crucial for travel planning. Direct bookings will increase as AI evolves. User-generated content will play a key role in travel decisions. Voice AI will enhance user experience in travel. The traditional OTA model may face challenges from AI. Personalization will be a major focus for AI in trave