In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko sit down with Steve Hafner, CEO of Kayak, in New York City to discuss this year’s travel Megatrends. They start with Skift’s lead Megatrend for 2025: The growing impact of live tourism on travel trends, highlighting how major events like Formula 1 races and Taylor Swift concerts drive significant travel demand, especially in smaller markets. To capitalize on this, Kayak is using AI to anticipate major travel events by creating targeted landing pages that help users easily find relevant travel options. While these events generate substantial interest, Hafner acknowledged the challenge of effectively monetizing event-driven travel and noted that Kayak is still working on fully integrating ticketing with travel planning, including partnerships with platforms like SeatGeek. Another notable trend is the rise of pet-friendly travel, with 6% of Kayak’s searches including pet-friendly filters, showing that travelers are increasingly factoring in their pets when planning trips. Similarly, social media and influencer marketing are becoming critical tools for travel discovery. Kayak is working on a model where influencers can earn commissions when their followers book travel through their recommendations, turning social media into a performance marketing channel. Hafner also addressed the rise of AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT and Gemini, which present both challenges and opportunities for Kayak. As AI increasingly helps users find travel options without visiting traditional search engines, Kayak is working to integrate its services into AI models while maintaining direct user engagement. He noted that Google's shift toward AI-driven search results is reducing organic visibility for travel companies, forcing Kayak to invest more in paid advertising and alternative marketing strategies. International travel demand is also increasing, particularly to Asia (notably Japan), as travelers seek more diverse experiences beyond the U.S. Hafner attributed this trend largely to social media influence, where platforms like TikTok inspire travelers with visually appealing destinations. Despite concerns over crime and Airbnb restrictions, New York City remains a top travel destination, with high demand driving hotel prices up. Looking ahead, Hafner emphasized that Kayak is focusing on improving its mobile app and adapting to AI-driven search trends to stay competitive in an evolving travel landscape. He believes that AI will play a major role in travel booking, with agentic AI potentially automating travel planning and purchases in the near future. As the industry evolves, Kayak is striving to remain a key player by leveraging technology, enhancing user experience, and staying ahead of shifting consumer behaviors.Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko discuss their travel predictions for 2025, reflecting on holiday experiences and the need for a return to routine. They explore consumer spending trends, regional differences in travel priorities, and the impact of social media on travel bookings. The conversation also covers growth in the online travel sector, the hotel industry's revenue projections, and insights from consumer surveys that reveal a strong desire for exploration and travel as a top discretionary expense.Takeaways Travel remains a top priority for consumers in 2025. A consumer survey indicated a 9% increase in travel spending. India shows the highest expected growth in travel spending at 14%. Social media is becoming a trusted platform for travel bookings. The online travel sector is projected to grow significantly in 2025. The hotel industry is on track to reach nearly a trillion dollars in revenue. Airlines are expected to see steady growth, with a focus on premium services. Consumer optimism about travel spending is high despite economic uncertainties. Exploring new destinations is a key travel goal for 2025. The travel industry is adapting to changing consumer preferences and behaviors.

In a captivating conversation, Sarah Kopit, Editor-in-Chief of Skift, shares her insightful travel philosophy shaped by her upbringing in a travel-loving family. She discusses her shift from hectic business trips to serene, family-focused vacations. Minimalism in packing and sustainable travel practices are key themes. Sarah reflects on blending adventure with relaxation while traveling with kids, the shift in priorities and experiences post-parenthood, and the significance of meaningful souvenirs that foster cultural connections.

Jason Clampet, Skift’s Chief Product Officer, shares his insights on travel with Rafat Ali. They discuss the importance of a relaxed travel mindset and balancing local with international trips. Jason's pet peeves about hotel usability spark interesting debates, especially regarding practical bathroom features. They cover culinary experiences, emphasizing the joy of local dining. The conversation also delves into the evolution of travel habits and the value of souvenirs, with tips for navigating new destinations and staying fit on the road.

Join seasoned travel writer Colin Nagy, known for his insightful views on authentic hospitality, as he dives deep into the essence of meaningful travel. He shares how travel shapes personal growth, emphasizing the importance of genuine experiences over influencer aesthetics. The chat covers his love for culinary delights and vibrant airport adventures, navigating luxury travel, and the charm of cities like Hong Kong. Colin also discusses overcoming language barriers and the art of traveling light, making every journey more enriching.

Explore the fascinating evolution of travel trends for 2025. Discover the surge in demand for pet-friendly accommodations and the changing landscape of influencer marketing, focusing on authenticity. Delve into the appeal of cooler climates and unique destinations while addressing the impact of AI on travel experiences. Finally, uncover how luxury travel is transforming towards 'quiet luxury,' emphasizing personal experiences over traditional extravagance. Prepare for a future of travel that prioritizes connection, authenticity, and innovation!

In this insightful talk, Meghna Maharishi, an airline reporter at Skift, unpacks the evolving landscape of airline loyalty programs. She discusses the frustrations travelers face with complex booking systems and high mileage requirements, as well as the growing scrutiny from regulators on transparency. The discussion also covers the competition among airport lounges and the luxurious experiences airlines are creating to attract customers. Ultimately, Meghna reveals how these programs are redefining traveler loyalty and airline profitability.

Pranavi Agarwal, a Senior Research Analyst at Skift Research, dives into the shifting landscape of hotel bookings. She discusses how technology is leveling the playing field, with platforms like Google helping boost direct bookings. The rise of post-pandemic consumer preferences emphasizes trust and personalization, reshaping loyalty programs. Agarwal also highlights increased competition as OTAs falter against wholesalers and corporate agents, while independent hotels find new opportunities through social media and strategic partnerships.

Alexa Lopez, Head of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs at the TSA, shares insights on holiday travel challenges as the agency prepares for its busiest season. She discusses innovative strategies like humor in social media to enhance public perception and new technologies such as facial recognition to streamline security. The conversation highlights the TSA’s commitment to improving customer experience and employee morale through fair compensation, ultimately aiming to create a safer and more efficient travel environment.

This special edition of the Skift Travel Podcast looks at Airbnb's future strategic direction and its ambitions to diversify its offerings beyond short-term rentals. Skift CEO Rafat Ali is joined by AirDNA Chief Economist Jamie Lane to discuss Airbnb's plans to create billion-dollar businesses annually, reintroduce and scale experiences, explore new markets, and build innovative services for hosts and guests. They also examine the broader implications of these moves, such as leveraging technology, AI, and trust systems to enhance the platform, while maintaining a focus on customer experience and loyalty.Three Key Takeaways:Diversification Beyond Accommodations: Airbnb aims to launch billion-dollar ventures annually, expanding into services like co-hosting, guest experiences (e.g., in-unit chefs, local experiences), and possibly adjacent sectors like car, plane, or equipment rentals. The company is leveraging its existing trust ecosystem and large user base to scale these initiatives organically.Revamping Experiences and Loyalty Programs: The relaunch of Airbnb Experiences in 2025 will test the company's ability to engage guests with curated, memorable activities while exploring an Amazon Prime-like loyalty model to enhance customer retention through benefits such as discounted fees, gym memberships, and co-working space access.Leveraging Data and AI for Personalization: Airbnb plans to use AI and user profiles to personalize travel recommendations, improve matchmaking between hosts and guests, and potentially offer targeted ads. This could position Airbnb as a central hub for travel and services, analogous to Amazon's dominance in retail.Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/X: https://twitter.com/skiftFacebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.