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
Inside Saudi’s Big Tourism Bet and Google’s Boo...
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko unpack one of the biggest stories in global tourism right now: Saudi Arabia’s explosive push to become a world travel hub.
39 min
2
Why Low Cost Airlines Win in Europe but Struggl...
In this airline-deep-dive edition of the Skift Travel Podcast, Head of Research Seth Borko teams up with Airline Editor Gordon Smith to unpack one of the most puzzling trends in global aviation: why ultra-low-cost carriers soar in Europe while their U.S. counterparts continue to stumble
52 min
3
New York's New Mayor Zohran Mamdani & The Eastw...
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko unpack a big week in travel and politics.
31 min
4
Flying Cars, Privatized Airports, and the Futur...
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko are joined by aviation attorney Jennifer Trock, a partner at Morgan Lewis and one of the leading legal minds in global aviation.
43 min
5
Can the U.S.-Europe Travel Corridor Recover?
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko unpack the transatlantic slowdown — why over a million European tourists are skipping the U.S. and what it means for global travel.
38 min
6
Glenn Fogel on Booking.com’s AI Strategy, Conne...
In this Skift Travel Podcast live session from Skift Global Forum, Skift’s Founding Editor Dennis Schaal sits down with Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking.com and Booking Holdings, for a wide-ranging discussion on how technology is reshaping online travel.
26 min
7
Skift Sessions Episode featuring Brian Chesky, ...
Skift CEO and Founder Rafat Ali sits down with Brian Chesky, CEO and Founder of Airbnb, for an in-depth conversation about the company’s evolution and what’s next for one of the world’s most influential travel brands.
36 min
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
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
21
Good Morning Hospitality: Predictions for Trave...
This is a special crossover episode between Good Morning Hospitality and the Skift Travel Podcast.
36 min
22
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
23
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
24
Simplicity in Loyalty: The Way Out For Indie Ho...
56 min
25
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