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The Skift Travel Podcast

Skift
Travel Industry
Airbnb
Artificial Intelligence
Tourism
India
Luxury Travel
Short-Term Rentals
Travel
Dubai
New York City
Saudi Arabia
Skift Global Forum
Hospitality
Aviation Industry
AI In Travel
Airlines
Tiktok
Hospitality Industry
Customer Service
Middle East

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 a... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes362Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Business NewsNewsPlaces & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Skift Travel Podcast

Latest Episodes

Recorded live at Skift Global Forum 2026, Jeremy Kressman talks with Heather Balsley, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Peter Manoogian, Partner at ZS, about hotel owner profitability, conversions and the changing ec... more

Recorded live at Skift Global Forum, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko recap the biggest conversations from three days in New York, including AI agents, autonomous vehicles, Airbnb’s push into hotels, hotel owner economics and Prince Harry’s focus on destin... more

YouTube

Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko discuss Skift Research’s new Silver Tsunami report and the nearly $100 billion U.S. retirees are expected to spend on travel in 2026.

They also preview Skift Global Forum, including Airbnb’s push into hotels, the travel in... more

YouTube

Premium travel is booming, but the opportunity is becoming much bigger than luxury.

In this special episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, brought to you by ZS Associates, Jeremy Kressmann, Vice President, Skift Studio, sits down with Alex Trusca, Ass... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Prince Harry
Duke of Sussex, keynote speaker on Travelist and destination health
Travelist
Episode: AI Is Here. Now Travel Has to Figure Out Who to Trust.
Dara Khosrowshahi
CEO of Uber, speaker on leadership and technology in travel
Uber
Episode: AI Is Here. Now Travel Has to Figure Out Who to Trust.
Brett Taylor
Chairman of OpenAI, speaker on AI policy
OpenAI
Episode: AI Is Here. Now Travel Has to Figure Out Who to Trust.
Steve Case
Co-founder of AOL, entrepreneur reporting on AI regulation
AOL (historical), AI advocate
Episode: AI Is Here. Now Travel Has to Figure Out Who to Trust.
Alex Trusca
Associate Principal at ZS Associates
ZS Associates
Episode: Premium Is Becoming Table Stakes for Travel. Now What?
Bailey Schultz
Tourism reporter for Skift
Skift
Episode: Fake AI Hotel Videos Are Coming for Travel
Luke Marion
Reporter for Skift, contributed to coverage of travel industry trends
Skift
Episode: United’s New Routes Reveal Travel’s Next Bet
Gilad Berenstein
Founder of Brook Bay Capital; venture capital investor in travel
Brook Bay Capital
Episode: $3.4 Billion Is Pouring Into Travel Startups. Here's Why.
Dennis Schall
OTA reporter, specializes in car rental and OTA stories
Skift
Episode: Airbnb Is Becoming a Real OTA

Hosts

Sarah Kopit
Host with a focus on industry dynamics, travel tech, and strategic storytelling.
Seth Borko
Host and Skift Research contributor, leading discussions on travel tech, OTAs, and market shifts.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 87 ratings
  • Out of Touch

    As a travel industry professional, I listen to Skift for insights into industry, innovation, and economic trends. In the latest episode, Seth mentions the U.S economy being in 'pretty good shape.' He goes into surface-level statistics that appear good at a glance but are a far cry from the bleak economic outlook Americans/the globe are facing. It is this man's job to have a comprehensive overview of the economy, an in-depth analysis of spending habits, and an understanding of discretionary/di... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dmactizzy
    Canada9 months ago
  • Good contents but poor production

    I really enjoy the contents but I can’t imagine it an extravagant investment to improve the recording and audio quality. That recent episode on the industry research is absolute torture to listeners ears.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mmmmmmengsun
    United States2 years ago
  • Soundproblems?

    Do they use microphones? Not sure.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Makadini
    Switzerland4 years ago
  • Highly recommend!

    The Skift Travel Podcast has quickly become a favorite in my feed! Their insightful content and engaging conversations had me hooked from the very first listen. Thanks so much for putting out such a stellar show guys - keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mvelasco07
    United States4 years ago
  • A must-listen for travel business people

    Insightful and authentic content for travel business people. Helps you develop a holistic view of travel and tourism industry

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alireza Aghasi
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Praises depth of analysis and solid guest rosters for strategic insights.
Frequent praise for relevant industry focus and actionable takeaways for professionals.
Mixed audio quality noted by some listeners, but content valued.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Premium Is Becoming Table Stakes for Travel. Now What?
Q: How should brands think about unbundling versus premiumization when charging for services that used to be included, like extra legroom or early check-in?
Premiumization should add value for the customer, not simply charge for what was previously free; unbundling without adding value undercuts the potential impact and fails to deliver meaningful results.
Premium Is Becoming Table Stakes for Travel. Now What?
Q: Can you share a concrete example where a brand achieved incremental value through premiumization without becoming a luxury-only play?
A hotel brand with multiple chains implemented in-stay upsell opportunities, offering in-room upgrades or late checkout for a small fee, which generated about $1 million in incremental revenue across a dozen properties in six months.
Premium Is Becoming Table Stakes for Travel. Now What?
Q: Let's start with the term premium. How do you distinguish between premium products and a premiumization strategy in practice?
There is a purposeful distinction: a premium product is a component that can support a premiumization strategy, but a premium product alone isn't enough; the strategy requires the ability to get consumers to spend more for an elevated experience, which can apply across mid-scale to luxury brands.
Hotels Tried to Cut Out Expedia. Here's What Happened.
Q: Talk us through the significance of the Stop Clicking Around campaign and take us back to 2016.
The campaign symbolized a shift toward centralized, direct-brand marketing and a unified message across Hilton's channels, aiming to drive direct bookings and build a long-term loyalty ecosystem even though OTA share didn't shrink immediately; the deeper impact was in creating a framework for direct marketing, loyalty, and price discipline that could scale globally.
Trump's Tourism Envoy: Inside Nick Adams' Plan to Sell America
Q: What are your and your team's priorities for the coming 12 months?
The priority is to bring as many international visitors to the U.S. in 2026 as possible, leveraging major events like the World Cup and national celebrations to showcase America while expanding access and improving the overall travel experience.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Skift Travel Podcast

What is The Skift Travel Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show delivers sharp, data-informed takes on travel industry dynamics, covering everything from branding, distribution, and loyalty to AI, financing, and policy impacts. Episodes frequently feature analyses of big-brand strategies, OTA evolution, and how macro shifts—like inflation, visa policies, and major events—reshape traveler behavior. A standout trait is the mix of rigorous market context with accessible storytelling, plus frequent references to Skift Research insights and real-world anecdotes from industry insiders. Listeners are likely industry professionals seeking actionable takeaways for brand strategy, partnerships, and investment in travel.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Skift Travel Podcast?

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How many listeners does The Skift Travel Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Skift Travel Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Skift Travel Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Skift Travel Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Skift Travel Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Skift Travel Podcast:

1. Skift Daily Briefing
2. Airline Weekly Lounge
3. Uncanny Valley | WIRED
4. Good Morning Hospitality
5. Airlines Confidential Podcast

How many episodes of The Skift Travel Podcast are there?

The Skift Travel Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 362 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Skift Travel Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Skift Travel Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Skift Travel Podcast?

Recent guests on The Skift Travel Podcast include:

1. Prince Harry
2. Dara Khosrowshahi
3. Brett Taylor
4. Steve Case
5. Alex Trusca
6. Bailey Schultz
7. Luke Marion
8. Gilad Berenstein

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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