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PODCAST

The Skift Travel Podcast

Get the latest from the most-trusted travel industry news source. Skift sits down with creatives, executives, and entrepreneurs from across travel to discuss their insights and perspectives on the hows and whys of travelers’ habits, industry patterns, and the seismic changes happening across the industry. Listen for exclusive conversations with travel leaders and Skift"s own in-house editors and analysts. Presented by EF World Journeys. Read the latest news every day at skift.com/news

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All Episodes

25:36

AI and the Future of Travel Startup Investment

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/06/26

What do travel investors really think about AI, startups, and the future of travel? In this unscripted Ask Me Anything session, three top venture experts answer real questions from the audience – no slides, no pitches, just sharp takes and honest insights.Host Sarah Kopit was joined for this conversation by Cara Whitehill (Vice President, Thayer Investment Partners), Gilad Berenstein (Founder, Brook Bay Capital), and Max Niederhofer (Partner, Heartcore Capital) at Skift Data+AI Summit earlier this

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39:27

What Travel Startup Investors Are Looking for Now

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/06/19

Hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko are joined on today's Skift Travel Podcast with Kevin Tsang, Managing Director at Amex Ventures. They discuss the future of travel, the impact of AI, and investment strategies in the travel sector through the lens of venture investment. They explore the role of technology in enhancing travel experiences, the potential of AI startups, and the importance of specialization in a competitive market. The conversation also touches on consumer pain points in aviation and how

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45:57

Tripadvisor Is Turning 25. Here’s What Its CEO Says...

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/06/12

Travel review brand Tripadvisor is turning 25. So for today's episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko host Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg. They discuss the evolution of Tripadvisor from its humble beginnings above a pizza shop to becoming a leading travel resource for at least a generation. Goldberg shares insights on the competitive landscape, the role of AI in enhancing user experience, and the importance of consumer trust in the travel industry. The conversation

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44:30

The Private Sector’s Role in Saudi’s Travel Ambitions

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/06/11

For this bonus episode, Skift CEO Rafat Ali is joined by Almosafer CEO Muzzammil Ahussain to discuss the evolution of the travel industry in Saudi Arabia, the significance of Saudi travelers on the global stage, and the impact of recent changes in visa regimes. Ahussain shares his personal journey from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia, the growth of Almosafer, and the company's upcoming IPO plans. The discussion also touches on the effects of COVID-19 on domestic travel and the dynamics between online and

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42:27

The New Era of Solo Women Travelers

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/06/05

This week Sarah Kopit and Seth Bork’s are joined by JourneyWoman’s (https://journeywoman.com/author/carolyn-ray/) Carolyn Ray and Intrepid Travel’s (https://www.intrepidtravel.com/) Leigh Barnes to discuss the growing trend of solo women travelers over 50. They explore the challenges and opportunities within the travel industry, highlighting a recent survey that shows a significant percentage of women feel ignored. The conversation dives into the importance of safety, empowerment, and authentic

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44:59

What’s Next for Short-Term Rentals: Regulations,...

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/05/29

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko speak with Vered Raviv-Schwarz, the president and COO of Guesty (https://www.guesty.com/), to explore the evolving landscape of short-term rentals and travel tech. They discuss the current state of the market, the role of Guesty in property management, investor perspectives on travel tech, and the impact of Airbnb's new experience services. The conversation highlights trends in travel, the blending of hospitality and technology,

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47:00

Rewiring Hotel Tech for Humans

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/05/23

Seth Borko sat down with Richard Valtr, founder of cloud-PMS provider Mews, during the Mews Unfold conference in Amsterdam. Valtr explains this company's long-standing vision: strip away check-in bureaucracy so staff can greet guests as people, not reservations – a problem that still demands modern tech such as AI, computer vision and open APIs. He traces the company’s 13-year path from “just” building a PMS to a broader guest- and profit-management platform, describes competing with legacy giants

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48:55

French-Waiter Engineers? Inside Palantir’s...

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/05/15

Rather than just sell travel brands what they think they want, Palantir's employees have opinions about what they really need. Skift Travel Podcast hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko sat down with Breno Helfstein Moura, the Head of Hospitality at Palantir. Moura discusses how Palantir leverages data and AI to solve complex problems in travel, including partnerships with major companies like Airbus and luxury hotels. The conversation explores the challenges of data integration, the unique approach

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28:59

Marriott CEO on Next-Gen Loyalty and Market Volatility

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/05/10

In March, Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano sat down with Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit for a session at Skift Forum India. In a wide-ranging conversation, Capuano highlighted the strength and evolution of the Bonvoy loyalty program, which now appeals beyond business travelers to include leisure guests by offering diverse and accessible rewards. He emphasized India's strategic importance, citing Marriott’s expanding footprint, a growing pipeline of hotels, and deeper localization efforts, including

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39:22

The Brand That Set The Standard for Lifestyle Hotels

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/05/08

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko talk lifestyle hotels with Amar Lalvani, Executive Vice President, President & Creative Director, Lifestyle at Hyatt. They explore the evolution of The Standard brand following Lalvani's acquisition of it in 2013, its unique offerings, and how it has set the benchmark for lifestyle hotels. Lalvani shares insights on modern consumer expectations, the integration of food and beverage in hotel experiences, and the future of

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37:53

AlUla and the New 7,000-Year-Old Tourist Destination

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/05/01

In today’s episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko engage with Phillip Jones, CEO of AlUla, to discuss the ambitious plans for transforming AlUla into a premier tourism destination in Saudi Arabia. With a budget of $50 billion over ten years, AlUla aims to create a unique tourism ecosystem that highlights its rich history and cultural heritage. Takeaways Alula is a unique destination with 7,000 years of history. $50 billion is being invested over ten years for

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52:16

Southeast Asia's Tourism Recovery: A Deep Dive

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/04/24

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, guest host and Skift CEO Rafat Ali discusses the current state of tourism in Southeast Asia with experts Gary Bowerman and Hannah Pearson – hosts of The South East Asia Travel Show. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on the region's tourism recovery, the significance of Chinese travelers, pricing trends in the travel industry, and the emerging markets of India and the Middle East. The conversation also delves into the unique position of Singapore in the

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54:10

Minor Hotels and Strategizing for Film Tourism Success

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/04/17

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

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58:42

White Lotus, Artificial Intelligence and the New...

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/04/10

Today Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko are joined by Tom Marchant from Black Tomato to delve into the evolving landscape of luxury travel. They discuss the definition of luxury, the importance of emotional connections in travel experiences, and how travel advisors play a crucial role in understanding customer needs. The conversation also touches on innovative travel experiences, partnerships, and the balance between curated and spontaneous travel. In this conversation Marchant discusses the profound

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29:23

Borders, Bans, and Bookings: Navigating U.S. Travel...

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/04/03

This conversation with Skift Editors and the head of Skift Research explores the intricate relationship between economic policies, particularly those of the Trump administration, and their impact on the travel industry. The discussion delves into various factors such as travel bans, tariffs, and consumer sentiment, highlighting how these elements shape travel decisions and the overall market. The speakers analyze the current economic climate, emphasizing the uncertainty that affects consumer

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37:22

The Next Generation of Golden Visas

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/03/27

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko discuss the emerging trend of golden visas, particularly in light of U.S. President Trump's recent announcement regarding a new program in the U.S. They explore the market for these visas, the motivations behind them, and the potential risks involved. Max Tremaine, CEO of Sherpa, provides insights into the various golden visa programs available globally, their economic implications, and the role of technology in navigating visa

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44:51

Unlocking the Secrets of Travel Rewards and Loyalty

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/03/20

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko explore the complex world of travel loyalty programs, focusing on the evolution of these systems, the role of credit cards, and how consumers can maximize their points. Guest Tiffany Funk, President and co-founder of Point.me, shares insights on the challenges consumers face in redeeming points and the importance of understanding personal travel goals. The conversation also delves into the impact of credit card companies on

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41:29

Bollywood: The Strongest Currency in Indian Tourism

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/03/13

Today Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko discuss the significant influence of Bollywood on Indian culture and its impact on the travel industry. They’re joined by Rishi Singh, CMO of MakeMyTrip, who shares insights on how Bollywood shapes travel aspirations and marketing strategies. The conversation explores the evolution of India's travel market, driven by rising affluence, improved infrastructure, and social media. This week’s episode also delves into the growing trend of spiritual tourism among the

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24:59

The TikTok Travel Discovery Engine

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/03/07

This week’s conversation takes a small turn. 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,

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43:13

Tourism Australia's $230 Billion by 2030 Goal

The Skift Travel Podcast ·

2025/02/27

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko discuss the significance of tourism in Australia with Pip Harrison, the Managing Director of Tourism Australia. They explore personal experiences in Australia, the economic impact of tourism, sustainable growth strategies, and the challenges of over-tourism. The conversation also delves into the growing importance of Asian markets, the effects of geopolitics on travel, aviation strategies for enhancing connectivity, and the

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197 results

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