The Skift Travel Podcast

Dave Stephenson, Chief Business Officer at Airbnb, dives into the company's ambitious expansion strategy that integrates age-old travel services like private chefs and local activities directly into the app. He reveals how Airbnb is evolving into a full-trip platform aimed at enhancing user experiences across 250 cities. Stephenson also shares insights on the influence of pop culture and events on travel trends, explaining how local offerings and collaborations are tailored to meet the unique demands of travelers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), shares insights from his 21 years leading the largest alliance of independent hotel brands. He discusses the pivotal role of GHA's Discovery loyalty program, emphasizing how simplicity and innovative strategies drive guest loyalty and direct bookings. The conversation highlights the shift from traditional rewards systems to the 'Discovery Dollars' approach, the importance of collaboration among smaller hotels, and the growing need to adapt loyalty models to ever-changing travel preferences.

This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast features an in-depth conversation with Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants. Host Sarah Kopit and Nelson discuss the challenges flight attendants face amid record-breaking summer travel, ongoing labor negotiations, and the evolving political landscape. Topics include aviation safety, contract bargaining, staffing, public perception, and the global solidarity among flight crews in a rapidly changing world. Record summer travel is overwhelming flight crews, with high passenger volumes, weather disruptions, and minimal staffing stretching flight attendants to their limits. Union President Sara Nelson warns of federal instability, citing workforce cuts at key agencies like the National Weather Service and TSA as safety risks. Despite political turmoil, Nelson praises Transportation Secretary Duffy for advancing FAA modernization and stabilizing air traffic operations. Contract negotiations are reshaping the industry, with major wins on boarding pay and healthcare at United Airlines and organizing momentum growing at Delta. Passenger aggression remains elevated, but public support for flight attendants is stronger than ever, fueling optimism for broader labor solidarity. 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.

Jess Conroy, founder and CEO of ROH, a fintech startup focused on payment management for hospitality, shares her insights on the intersection of AI and payment systems. She emphasizes the critical role of payment infrastructure in enhancing the guest experience, revealing how streamlined processes can improve hotel operations. Conroy discusses the challenges of integrating AI, the importance of balancing automation with human interaction, and her recent funding success, highlighting the future of travel tech and the need for robust, efficient payment solutions.

Host Sarah Kopit is joined by Skift’s Climate Reporter Darin Graham to discuss the extreme heat that is dominating summer travel. Kopit and Graham give a brief perspective on the changing nature of summer travel before presenting Graham’s podcast about a NetZero hotel in England that positions itself as a way to improve upon the travel industry’s carbon footprint. Graham’s episode of GreenShift centers on a visit to Radisson’s first Net Zero Hotel, located in Manchester. He tours the property with Radisson’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Inge Huberts, who explains how the hotel minimizes emissions through renewable energy and rooftop heat pumps. The hotel also revamped its food menu to reduce carbon impact. Graham discusses the broader challenge of scaling these efforts across Radisson’s global portfolio as part of its 2050 net zero goal. The episode blends technical solutions with strategic business insights, making it relevant across the travel sector. Listen to GreenShift here. 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, RateGain Founder Bhanu Chopra joins Rafat Ali to explore how the company is helping shape the infrastructure of modern travel. From AI-powered pricing to real-time distribution and demand insights, Bhanu breaks down how RateGain is evolving to meet the needs of a more connected and volatile travel landscape. The conversation spans AI innovation, global market shifts, and the role of empathy in tech leadership. With a growing portfolio of tools, new executive hires, and a bullish outlook for the future, Bhanu offers a wide-angle perspective on how travel companies can stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. RateGain evolved from a pricing data provider to a full-stack travel tech platform. AI is accelerating innovation, enabling faster, cheaper product development. The company aims for $1B in revenue, entering its "10 to 100" growth phase. AI co-pilots are being built for roles like revenue, marketing, and campaign managers. Internal AI tools like an HR bot and hiring assistant are streamlining operations. Stock dips reflect internal execution, not just market conditions. M&A remains selective, with focus on strategic, revenue-generating assets. India is a leader in AI application, especially in building strong "wrapper" products. Bhanu sees India as a global startup hub, no longer just outsourcing. Legacy mindset is evolving, but Bhanu’s focus remains on impact, not titles. 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.

Join Marilyn Markham, VP of AI & Automation Strategy at American Express Global Business Travel, and Rodrigo Acuna Agost, Head of Research and AI Center of Excellence at Amadeus, as they dive into the transformative power of agentic AI in business travel. They discuss how this cutting-edge technology goes beyond just providing information, emphasizing its role in enhancing productivity and customer engagement. The duo also tackles concerns about job security, the need for ethical AI development, and the challenges of integrating AI into travel management.

Max Niederhofer, a Partner at Heartcore Capital, and Gilad Berenstein, Founder of Brook Bay Capital, dive deep into the future of travel investments. They discuss the essential traits startup founders need in 2025, like intelligence and charisma, as AI takes center stage. The duo explores investment criteria, emphasizing founder market fit and adaptability, while dissecting the hurdles within the AI startup landscape. They also highlight AI's potential to transform the travel industry, balancing efficiency with the need for human connection in experiences.

Kevin Tsang, Managing Director at Amex Ventures, shares insights into the future of travel technology and investment trends. He highlights how AI is reshaping consumer experiences and making travel planning more efficient. Tsang discusses the innovative MindTrip platform and the integration of food into travel decisions. The conversation also delves into the unique challenges of aviation and the strategic partnerships essential for startup success. Investors are looking for strong value propositions amid a competitive landscape, emphasizing specialized solutions in travel.

Join Matt Goldberg, CEO of Tripadvisor and expert in travel experiences, as he shares insights on the platform's 25-year journey from a small idea to a global powerhouse. He discusses the shifting focus towards immersive local experiences and the vital role of AI in enhancing user engagement. Goldberg highlights the importance of consumer trust in the travel industry and how Tripadvisor is adapting to remain competitive against giants like Airbnb. Explore trends of sustainable travel and the company's exciting marketplace growth strategy!