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. Presented by EF World Journeys.
Read the latest news every day at skift.com/news
1
Rethinking Cruising for the Modern Traveler - A...
Luxury hospitality veteran Anna Nash, now President of Explora Journeys, joins Skift’s Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko to unpack how the brand is reframing the cruise experience as “ocean travel.”
39 min
2
Airbnb’s Hotel Push, Expedia’s AI Strategy, and...
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.”
40 min
3
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta on Leadership, Cultur...
In this episode, Skift CEO/Founder Rafat Ali sits down with Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of global hospitality.
68 min
4
How AI, OTAs, and Shifting Consumer Behavior Ar...
From the rise of AI in trip planning to the latest OTA strategies, loyalty innovations, and regulatory pressures, the conversation provides a timely look at how the industry is evolving.
56 min
5
The FIFA World Cup: Tourism, Strategy, and the ...
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.
32 min
6
Inside Agoda’s AI Bet: Building Silicon Valley ...
Listen in for a roadmap of sorts to Agoda’s fintech ambitions, loyalty strategy, and long-term vision for an AI-powered travel concierge.
50 min
7
New York to London in 3 Hours? Boom Supersonic’...
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.
36 min
8
Brookfield’s Global Bet on Hospitality’s Future
In this rare first-ever podcast appearance, Shai Zelering, Global Head of Hospitality Investments at Brookfield Real Estate, sits down with Skift CEO Rafat Ali to discuss how one of the world’s largest real estate investors is shaping the future of travel and hospitality.
39 min
9
Good Morning Hospitality: Marriott Flat, Inclus...
Today, we’re featuring the Wednesday hotel crew—Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk—who cover hotels, travel, airlines, and the broader shifts shaping the hospitality industry.
38 min
10
Building Humanity into Hospitality Management w...
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Skift CEO Rafat Ali talks with Euan McGlashan, Global Co-Founder, CEO, and Owner of Valor Hospitality Partners, about what’s broken—and what’s still worth rebuilding—in U.S. hospitality.
43 min
11
Slick Talk: Beyond the Eight Hours & Hospitalit...
Wil Slickers here again, and I’m closing out our summer break by sharing one of my favorite episodes from Slick Talk — a deep, future-focused conversation with Richard Valtr, founder of Mews.
51 min
12
From Local Roots to Global Reach: Asia’s Hospit...
Join industry leaders Rafat Ali, and Siradej "Champ" Donavanik, Vice President Development (Global), of Dusit International, as they explore how Asian hospitality brands are carving out a unique identity amid global competition.
41 min
13
Suite Success: Why Every City is a Food City, A...
Katie Cline sits down with Top Chef judge and culinary storyteller Gail Simmons to talk travel, taste, and the unexpected power of a good meal.
67 min
14
Good Morning Hospitality: Predictions for Trave...
This is a special crossover episode between Good Morning Hospitality and the Skift Travel Podcast.
36 min
15
Blending Hotels and Rentals: Dart’s Bet for Gro...
Skift CEO Rafat Ali talks with Chris Kelsey, President of Dart Interests, about how the firm is pushing the boundaries of what a resort can be.
30 min
16
Airbnb’s Expansion Strategy: How Services and E...
Airbnb is evolving into a full-trip platform, expanding globally with curated in-stay services like private chefs and local-led activities—available to both travelers and locals—all seamlessly integrated into its app.
21 min
17
Simplicity in Loyalty: The Way Out For Indie Ho...
56 min
18
Why This Summer Is Breaking Flight Crews and th...
Flight attendants union leader Sara Nelson joins the Skift Travel Podcast to discuss the high-pressure summer travel season, contract battles, political turbulence, and the growing movement for worker solidarity in aviation.
33 min
19
Why the AI Revolution in Travel Depends on Paym...
AI might be the shiny new tool in travel tech, but hotels need to modernize their payment systems before pursuing its benefits.
47 min
20
Welcome to Extreme Heat Summer Travel
Host Sarah Kopit is joined by Skift’s Climate Reporter Darin Graham to discuss the extreme heat that is dominating summer travel in Europe and elsewhere.
42 min
21
Rafat Ali x Bhanu Chopra: On Building from Indi...
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.
59 min
22
How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Bus...
How agentic AI is moving from hype to hands-on impact in corporate travel, balancing futuristic ambitions with today’s messy realities of data gaps, policy hurdles, and the irreplaceable human touch.
28 min
23
AI and the Future of Travel Startup Investment
What do travel investors really think about AI, startups, and the future of travel? We gathered three pros to help answer your questions.
24 min
24
What Travel Startup Investors Are Looking for Now
Our hosts are joined by the managing director of Amex Ventures to discuss the future of travel, the impact of AI, and investment strategies in the travel sector through the lens of venture investment.
37 min
25
Tripadvisor Is Turning 25. Here’s What Its CEO ...
Tripadvisor has grown from an idea above a pizza parlor to a global brand for travel reviews, experiences bookings, meta search, restaurant reservations, and more. Here’s where it’s headed for the next 25 years.
45 min