The Skift Travel Podcast

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!

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 offline booking methods. Ali and Ahussain walk through the evolving landscape of travel in Saudi Arabia, highlighting trends such as last-minute bookings, the growth of religious tourism, and the challenges of talent retention in a rapidly expanding market. Ahussain also emphasizes his company's ambitious vision for the country's development, the changing perceptions of Saudi Arabia in the West, and the integration of AI to enhance business operations. The discussion also touches on the importance of women's roles in the workforce and the potential for significant growth in the tourism sector leading up to major events like the World Cup. Read more about tourism at Skift’s tourism hub: https://skift.com/tourism Takeaways Almosafer is the largest travel and tourism company in Saudi Arabia. Saudi travelers are high spenders and significant for global tourism. Visa regimes for Saudis are becoming more accessible, boosting travel. Domestic tourism in Saudi Arabia has seen a significant increase post-COVID. WhatsApp is a key sales channel for Almosafer. The company is preparing for an IPO to enhance its market presence. The future of travel in Saudi Arabia looks promising with ongoing investments. 80% of bookings in Saudi Arabia are four and five star. 40% of hotel bookings are made within 48 hours. The average booking window is about 10 days. Religious travel presents a significant growth opportunity. Riyadh to Dubai is one of the most profitable routes globally. Saudi Arabia's development is driven by ambition. Talent retention is a major challenge in the growing market. AI is being leveraged to enhance productivity and efficiency. The period from 2027 to 2030 will be crucial for Saudi Arabia's growth. 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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Al-Musafir and Its Significance 05:24 Muzzammil's Journey: From the US to Saudi Arabia 09:01 The Global Importance of Saudi Travelers 11:44 Changes in Visa Regimes and Travel Trends 15:57 Impact of COVID-19 on Domestic Travel in Saudi Arabia 18:58 Al-Musafir's Growth and Future IPO Plans 21:10 The Dynamics of Online vs Offline Travel Booking 23:29 Understanding Saudi Arabia's Travel Trends 26:36 Growth Opportunities in Religious Travel 29:21 The Most Profitable Routes in the World 31:16 Ambition vs. Reality in Saudi Development 33:41 Changing Perceptions of Saudi Arabia 36:32 The Role of Women in Saudi Workforce 37:26 Talent Retention Challenges in a Growing Market 38:35 Leveraging AI for Business Growth 42:33 Future Vision Post-IPO

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 marketing, as well as the changing perceptions of aging and adventure. The guests share insights on how travel is becoming a means of self-discovery for older women, and they discuss the increasing popularity of destinations like Saudi Arabia for this demographic. The speakers discuss the allure of travel, the challenges of marketing to this demographic, and the impact of single supplements on solo female travelers. They explore the need for solo travel experiences and the potential of intergenerational travel. Finally, they share insights on creating welcoming environments for solo travelers and engage in a rapid-fire question round. Takeaways 70% of women over 50 felt misunderstood by the travel industry. The travel industry is starting to recognize the market for solo women travelers. Women over 50 are seeking unique and adventurous travel experiences. Safety and trust are crucial for women travelers. Women are making their own travel decisions, often independently. Marketing to older women is often overlooked in the travel industry. Women prefer authentic storytelling over traditional marketing. The perception of aging is changing, with older women being more adventurous. Health trends are influencing older women's travel choices. Travel is seen as a way to discover oneself, not just a vacation. Part of the allure is safety in travel for women. Women over 50 do not want to share a room. The most affluent travelers are aged 65 to 74. Discounting in travel doesn't build long-term relationships. Women want to travel solo without friends. Intergenerational travel is a growing trend. Travel companies should listen to women travelers. Creating welcoming environments is crucial for solo travelers. Stereotypes about senior travelers need to be challenged. Women over 50 are adventurous and willing to spend on travel. 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.

Vered Raviv-Schwarz, President and COO of Guesty, dives into the evolving world of short-term rentals. She discusses how these rentals are becoming mainstream, influenced by changing regulations and technological advances. The conversation reveals how AI is enhancing guest experiences and streamlining operations. Vered emphasizes the importance of unique accommodations amid fierce competition from platforms like Airbnb. Her insights on adapting to market trends and fostering community within the hospitality space offer a fresh perspective on the future of travel.

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 (the real foe is hotel inertia), and discusses how recent funding and acquisitions will speed adoption. The pair range into bigger topics, like why hospitality undervalues technology, the promise of voice agents and AR, the over-hype of blockchain IDs, and how rising labor costs and brand mergers and acquisitions (e.g., Marriott/CitizenM, Sabre’s SynXis spin-off) create urgency for smarter systems. They close with Valtr’s passion for historical travel, linking tech-enabled experiences to the timeless allure of place.  Human-first vision: Mews aims to make hotel arrivals conversational by automating identity, payment and room assignment in the background. From PMS to platform: The company is shifting from “property-” to “profit-management,” fusing CRS, CRM, revenue and upsell tools in one open ecosystem. Legacy lock-in: On-premise systems still run ~95 % of hotels; the biggest competitor is operators’ fear of ripping them out, not Oracle or Sabre. AI everywhere: Valtr sees computer vision, large-language models and voice agents stitching together guest data so staff can personalize service in real time. Open beats closed: He argues hotels must be free to mix best-of-breed apps; vendors that wall off data will lose. Funding as validation: Mews' recent $75 million round backs continued M&A—less for “asset accumulation,” more to migrate more hotels faster. Labor economics: Automation is no longer optional when Amazon warehouse wages outpace hotel front-desk pay. Trends he buys and bins: Excited about voice-AI agents and mixed-context processing; skeptical that blockchain ID alone solves anything. Experiential future: AR could turn stays into “immersive movies,” letting travelers time-travel through historic sites—echoing Valtr’s own battlefield-tour hobby.  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.

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 Palantir takes in software development, and the realities of implementing off-the-shelf software solutions in the travel sector. Moura addresses concerns about AI's impact on jobs, the unintended consequences of AI, and the need for travel companies to adopt technology more aggressively. Moura also highlights the significance of maximizing ROI through revenue management and procurement strategies, while envisioning a future where AI enhances operational efficiency in the travel sector. Takeaways Palantir focuses on solving problems through data integration and AI. Partnerships with companies like Airbus showcase Palantir's capabilities in the travel sector. Data integration is crucial for enhancing customer experiences in luxury travel. Predicting customer preferences is challenging but essential for luxury service providers. Palantir's approach combines software development with a consultancy-like engagement model. Palantir aims to streamline processes and reduce project timelines significantly. AI trends vary across different sectors of the travel industry. AI should enhance human performance rather than replace jobs. Travel companies can skip technological journeys by adopting advanced solutions directly. AI can help automate customer service while keeping humans in the loop. The ultimate goal is to achieve end-to-end operational visibility in travel. 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.

Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, shares his insights on the evolution of the Bonvoy loyalty program, which now caters to both business and leisure travelers, offering rewards like Starbucks perks. He emphasizes India's strategic significance as Marriott aims to make it their third-largest market, discussing local engagements, including with Prime Minister Modi. Capuano also tackles how AI innovation and cultural authenticity are shaping Marriott's global strategy, while addressing potential impacts of a U.S. recession on corporate profits.

Amar Lalvani, the Executive Vice President and Creative Director of Lifestyle at Hyatt, previously led Standard International. He dives into the evolution of lifestyle hotels, sharing how The Standard brand has set the bar high in the hospitality space. Amar discusses modern consumer expectations, emphasizing the necessity of integrating unique food and beverage experiences. He highlights growth opportunities in Southeast Asia and underscores the increasing demand for wellness options amidst the ever-changing travel landscape.

In today’s episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko engage with Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer 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 tourism development. Alula is ahead of other projects like Neom in terms of progress. The young workforce in Saudi Arabia is driving change in the tourism sector. 40% of the workforce in Alula's tourism sector are women. Alula aims to be a boutique destination, not mass tourism. The target audience includes intrepid explorers and luxury travelers. Alula's experiences include hot air balloon rides and zip-lining. Sustainability is a core principle in Alula's development. Alula seeks to preserve its heritage for future generations. Alula is focused on astrotourism with dark sky certification. Unique experiences in Alula include stargazing and concerts. Celebrity performances attract visitors to Alula. Conservation efforts for Arabian leopards are underway. Changing perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a safe travel destination. Access to Alula has improved with increased flights. Collaboration with local communities is essential for success. Risk-taking is necessary for innovation in tourism. Education about wildlife conservation is a priority. Alula aims to showcase its rich culture and heritage. 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.