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
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
2
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
3
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
4
Good Morning Hospitality: Predictions for Trave...
This is a special crossover episode between Good Morning Hospitality and the Skift Travel Podcast.
36 min
5
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
6
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
7
Simplicity in Loyalty: The Way Out For Indie Ho...
56 min
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
The Private Sector’s Role in Saudi’s Travel Amb...
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
44 min
17
The New Era of Solo Women Travelers
Skift’s hosts and guests dive into the changing state of women travelers over 50 and what they want from their trips right now.
40 min
18
What’s Next for Short-Term Rentals: Regulations...
The short-term rental industry, now a $280 billion and increasingly mainstream market, is evolving rapidly with rising interest in unique local experiences, growing adoption of franchise models, and AI-driven operations.
43 min
19
Rewiring Hotel Tech for Humans
45 min
20
French-Waiter Engineers? Inside Palantir’s Opin...
Rather than just sell travel brands what they think they want, Palantir's employees have opinions about what they really need.
47 min
21
Marriott CEO on Next-Gen Loyalty and Market Vol...
Despite global economic uncertainties, Marriott is betting big on India, emphasizing local empowerment and streamlined growth.
27 min
22
The Brand That Set The Standard for Lifestyle H...
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, guest Amar Lalvani of Hyatt discusses the evolution and future of lifestyle hotels, highlighting The Standard brand's growth, the role of wellness and AI in hospitality, and the importance of creating memorable, experience-driven stays.
37 min
23
AlUla and the New 7,000-Year-Old Tourist Destin...
AlUla, a location rich in history, has big plans to become a major tourism destination in Saudi Arabia, which we discuss in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast.
36 min
24
Southeast Asia's Tourism Recovery: A Deep Dive
50 min
25
Minor Hotels and Strategizing for Film Tourism ...
In this episode of the Skift Podcast, Rafat Ali speaks with Ian Di Tullio, global chief commercial officer of Minor Hotels, about the company's growth strategy, the evolving hospitality landscape, and the influence of pop culture and film tourism on bookings.
52 min