The Skift Travel Podcast
Get the latest from the most-trusted travel industry news source.
Skift sits down with creatives, executives, and entrepreneurs from across travel to discuss their insights and perspectives on the hows and whys of travelers’ habits, industry patterns, and the seismic changes happening across the industry.
Listen for exclusive conversations with travel leaders and Skift's own in-house editors and analysts.
Read the latest news every day at skift.com/news
151
Megatrends Defining Travel in 2017
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we explore the biggest trends that will define travel in 2017, with audio from our annual Megatrends event. Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali and co-founder and editor-in-chief Jason Clampet delve into topics including...
31 min
152
How Where-to-Go Lists Get Made
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about a very specific form of travel advice — the where-to-go-in-the-coming-year list — and what goes into making them. Our guests are Dan Saltzstein, a travel editor at The New York Times who organized...
43 min
153
How Travel Companies Can Win the Hearts of Supe...
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we're hearing from supertravelers about what they like, dislike, and merely tolerate on the road. The conversation took place at the Skift Global Forum last year.
Panelists are Alexandra Wood, chief operating officer...
32 min
154
SXSW and Superfly Pros on Making Events Better
On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, we welcome Mike Shea, chief logistics officer and partner at South by Southwest, and Rich Goodstone, co-founder of Superfly, the production company behind Bonnaroo.
Mike and Rich joined us in the Skift Take Stud...
12 min
155
Google Travel VP on the Power of Virtual and Au...
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 ho...
13 min
156
Booking.com CEO on Taking a Mobile-First Approach
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. T...
11 min
157
Lola CEO on Why Messaging Matters
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 talk...
7 min
158
TripAdvisor CEO on Setting Realistic Expectations
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 Steph...
15 min
159
SilverRail CEO on Tackling Trains
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 A...
9 min
160
Frits van Paasschen on Being Your Own Disruptor
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 wor...
9 min
161
Bonus Analyst Sessions: Google’s Reach and Impa...
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...
40 min
162
What's Next for Choice and Loyalty in Air Travel
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, follow...
31 min
163
Club Med President on the Future of All-Inclusive
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 backs...
8 min
164
Carnival CEO on Exceeding Expectations
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 ...
9 min
165
The Evolution of Tours and Activities
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re bringing you two conversations on tours, activities, and experiences that we had in the Skift Take Studio backstage at the Skift Global Forum.
The first is with Brett Tollman, CEO of The Travel Corporation. The...
24 min
166
What Airbnb and Hotels Should Learn from Each O...
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we're talking about the conflict between Airbnb and hotels — and how some of them are actually learning from each other.
In the Skift Take Studio backstage at the Skift Global Forum, we spoke to Amar Lalvani, managin...
40 min
167
The Serious Business of Modern Theme Parks
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about the business of theme parks: How they’re trying to reach broader audiences, use technology to personalize visits, and raise the bar in the park experience as they raise prices. Our guests are Robe...
45 min
168
Iceland and the Perils of Overtourism
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about how Iceland became a hot tourist spot, the tiny country’s complicated relationship with its visitors, and how the problems of overtourism can be solved. Our guest is Skift reporter Andrew Sheivach...
29 min
169
What Online Travel Legends Say About the Future...
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we're talking to some of the biggest names in online travel: Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Expedia Inc.; Jay Walker, founder of Priceline; Brad Gerstner, founder and CEO of Altimeter Capital; and Rich Barton, founder of ...
23 min
170
Black Travel Has Become a Movement
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about the contemporary Black Travel Movement in the U.S., how it’s evolved, and what the future looks like for the community. Our guests are Evita Robinson, founder of Nomadness Travel Tribe, and Shanno...
58 min
171
How Hostels Are Trying to Move Beyond the Backp...
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about how hostels have evolved, what’s next for the sector and whether they might finally break through in the U.S. Our guest is Fredrik Korallus, the CEO of design-focused Generator Hostels.
30 min
172
Puerto Rico and the Fight for Caribbean Tourism
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about the efforts to keep tourism afloat in Puerto Rico amid the debt crisis and Zika outbreak, what officials have learned about coping with crisis, and how Caribbean destinations are sharing tips and ...
36 min
173
Why Business Owners Struggle to Take Time Off
In this special edition of the Skift podcast, we’re taking a look at why it's especially hard for small business owners to take a vacation and examining some potential solutions. Joining us on the podcast are Ida Kroll, founder and CEO of Eventland in Ne...
42 min
174
Top Hotel CEOs and Executives Talk Direct Booki...
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about hot topics in hospitality: direct booking, the rise of the sharing economy, opportunities and challenges in Cuba, evolving loyalty programs, and more. We have interviews with executives from Marri...
45 min
175
What Happens When Travel Meets Politics and Glo...
On this episode of the Skift podcast, we're talking politics: the legacy of the Obama administration when it comes to travel, priorities that have not yet been accomplished, and what's at stake for the industry as the country prepares to elect a new pres...
32 min