The Skift Travel Podcast

Glenn Fogel, the CEO of Booking.com and Booking Holdings, discusses the transformative impact of AI on the travel industry. He shares insights on Booking's evolution and how agentic AI is set to redefine customer experiences. Fogel dives into the company's partnerships with major AI players like ChatGPT, revealing how they aim to enhance the 'connected trip' vision. He also addresses competition with Airbnb, regulatory hurdles in Europe, and the future of pricing transparency, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of travel technology.

Brian Chesky, Co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, shares insights on the company’s evolution in a conversation with Rafat Ali. He discusses Airbnb's expansion beyond home stays into services like in-home chefs and experiences, addressing the demand for integrated travel offerings. Chesky explains how Airbnb plans to tackle slowing growth through enhanced marketing and a renewed focus on hotels and global markets. He also highlights the potential impact of AI on travel, including smarter searches and app interfaces, signaling a transformative era for Airbnb and the industry.

Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, is a luxury hospitality expert with a background at renowned brands like Aman and Belmond. In the conversation, she discusses redefining cruising as 'ocean travel' by positioning ships as floating boutique hotels. Nash highlights the focus on wellness and cuisine, aiming to please both seasoned cruisers and first-timers. She also explores the importance of sustainability, unique itineraries, and how emotional experiences shape modern luxury travel. Explore the innovative approach to creating memorable journeys at sea!

This week on the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko return from the Skift Global Forum in New York City with their biggest takeaways from the industry’s “Super Bowl.” They break down Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky’s remarks about the company “getting serious” about hotels, examine Expedia’s latest moves in artificial intelligence under Ariane Gorin, and reflect on how the forum’s conversations revealed broader trends shaping the future of travel. From loyalty programs to the shifting balance between short-term rentals and hotels, Sarah and Seth unpack the key insights and the moments that defined the week for travel leaders. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta joins Skift CEO/Founder Rafat Ali for a candid conversation about leadership, culture, and navigating nearly two decades at the top of one of the world’s largest hotel companies. Nassetta reflects on how his personal approach to hospitality — from cooking dinner for large groups of family and friends to leading a company of more than 7,000 properties — shapes Hilton’s culture and strategy. The discussion covers the demands of consistent global expansion, the role of technology in guest experience, and why leadership in hospitality is about more than numbers on a balance sheet. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this discussion, Seth Borko, a Skift analyst, joins founding editor Dennis Schaal to dive into the impact of AI on travel. They explore how AI is reshaping trip planning and customer service while looking at the tense competition between OTAs and direct bookings. Dennis reflects on past Skift Global Forums and forecasts future discussions on industry shifts, loyalty innovations, and regulatory challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing technology with human connection in the evolving travel landscape.

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is on, and New York–New Jersey is set to host the world’s biggest stage — including the final at MetLife Stadium. Seth Borko and Sarah Kopit sit down with Bettina Garibaldi, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NYNJ Host Committee, to unpack how the region is preparing for an event expected to bring $3.3 billion in economic impact. From transit and mobility challenges to fan festivals and local business engagement, Bettina shares how the World Cup could transform the region’s hospitality landscape and leave a long-term tourism legacy. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠. Takeaways: New York–New Jersey will host eight matches and the final, expected to attract global audiences on par with 13 Super Bowls. The event is projected to deliver $3.3 billion in economic impact and support more than 26,000 jobs. Mobility and operations are top priorities, with agencies preparing for 80,000+ fans per match. Local businesses are encouraged to creatively engage visitors with thematic experiences, even without FIFA IP rights. The official FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park will run all 39 days of the tournament. Beyond 2026, the tournament is seen as a chance to strengthen the region’s long-term tourism and hospitality brand. Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this engaging conversation, Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda, shares insights on transforming Bangkok into a thriving tech hub, likening it to 'Silicon Valley in Bangkok.' He discusses Agoda's significant focus on artificial intelligence, revealing its potential to enhance engineering and customer service. Morgenshtern highlights the balance of global expertise and local talent in building a robust workforce. Additionally, he addresses the current limitations of generative AI, which, while promising, is still evolving in the travel sector.

On this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, co-hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko return from their summer break with a high-speed conversation featuring Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl. Scholl shares how Boom is working to make three-hour transatlantic flights a reality by the end of the decade, why Concorde failed to scale, and how Boom’s technology could silence the dreaded sonic boom. From regulatory wins in Washington to airline pre-orders from United and American, Scholl lays out how supersonic travel could reshape global tourism, business, and culture. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠EF World Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Shai Zelering, Global Head of Hospitality Investments at Brookfield Real Estate, makes his first podcast appearance, sharing insights on billion-dollar strategies and the future of hospitality. He discusses Brookfield's significant investments in Europe and India, the quirks of aligning brands with owners, and the rise of affordable travel with Generator hostels. Zelering believes technology can revolutionize the industry, addressing the challenges of the U.S. labor market and the need for unique lodging concepts in a commoditized landscape.