The Skift Travel Podcast

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, we welcome Oliver Heckmann, Google's vice president of engineering who heads the search engine's travel product. We spoke backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. He spoke to us about how user behavior is changing with the shift to mobile, Google’s efforts to move toward an assistant-driven environment, and the future of virtual and augmented reality. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Booking.com CEO Gillian Tans discusses last-minute behavior, direct bookings, advertising, new search methods, and more. We interviewed Gillian backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Lola Travel CEO Paul English discuses the inspiration for his new travel agency messaging app, how he is trying to improve the tools that travel agents use, and why chatting via message is more popular than talking. We interviewed English, who also co-founded Kayak, backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer speaks to us about the threat of competition, challenges for instant booking, the changing ways consumers are using the site, and what is still left to review. We interviewed Stephen backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, SilverRail CEO and co-founder Aaron Gowell speaks to us about his company's mission to make it easy to book train travel online by building a digital infrastructure for the global rail industry. We interviewed Aaron backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, former Starwood Hotels and Resorts CEO Frits van Paasschen speaks to us about Marriott’s recent acquisition of Starwood, the pain points that still plague travel, and what kind of disruption hotels should be worrying about.We interviewed Frits, who is now an investor, advisor, and author, backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum.The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

Google's steady push into the online travel space has deep implications for both established players and aspiring startups. In our first Skift Analyst Streamcast, we discuss Google's steady and seemingly relentless push into online travel. From search to bookings to reviews to the launch of Flights and Hotel Ads, the search giant has made its intentions quite clear. Established players are rightfully concerned about what Google means for the future of travel. What You'll Learn From This Podcast Google’s vast and complex reach in the travel industry Online travel consolidation Digital Transformation Survey results Google’s travel windfall Google Flights Hotel Ads Why Google is not becoming an OTA Get more travel insights with Skift Research. Subscription information at research.skift.com

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re bringing you three short conversations on air travel that we had in the Skift Take Studio backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The first conversation is with Robert Albert, founder and CEO of Routehappy, followed by a spirited back-and-forth between The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly and George Hobica, founder of discount airfare site Airfarewatchdog.com. The third is with Ben Smith, president for passenger airlines at Air Canada. This is one of several conversations we’re bringing you from backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Club Med President Henri Giscard D’Estaing speaks to us about the iconic company's transformation, its efforts to reach affluent millennials, and what's in store for all-inclusive model. We interviewed him backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald speaks to us about the cruise giant's efforts to reach new travelers, the company’s expansion into China, and what the future holds for cruising. We interviewed him backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.