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The Skift Travel Podcast

Podcast The Skift Travel Podcast
Skift
Get the latest from the most-trusted travel industry news source. Skift sits down with creatives, executives, and entrepreneurs from across travel to discuss th...

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  • Kayak CEO on This Year’s Travel Megatrends
    In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko sit down with Steve Hafner, CEO of Kayak, in New York City to discuss this year’s travel Megatrends. They start with Skift’s lead Megatrend for 2025: The growing impact of live tourism on travel trends, highlighting how major events like Formula 1 races and Taylor Swift concerts drive significant travel demand, especially in smaller markets. To capitalize on this, Kayak is using AI to anticipate major travel events by creating targeted landing pages that help users easily find relevant travel options. While these events generate substantial interest, Hafner acknowledged the challenge of effectively monetizing event-driven travel and noted that Kayak is still working on fully integrating ticketing with travel planning, including partnerships with platforms like SeatGeek.  Another notable trend is the rise of pet-friendly travel, with 6% of Kayak’s searches including pet-friendly filters, showing that travelers are increasingly factoring in their pets when planning trips. Similarly, social media and influencer marketing are becoming critical tools for travel discovery. Kayak is working on a model where influencers can earn commissions when their followers book travel through their recommendations, turning social media into a performance marketing channel.  Hafner also addressed the rise of AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT and Gemini, which present both challenges and opportunities for Kayak. As AI increasingly helps users find travel options without visiting traditional search engines, Kayak is working to integrate its services into AI models while maintaining direct user engagement. He noted that Google's shift toward AI-driven search results is reducing organic visibility for travel companies, forcing Kayak to invest more in paid advertising and alternative marketing strategies.  International travel demand is also increasing, particularly to Asia (notably Japan), as travelers seek more diverse experiences beyond the U.S. Hafner attributed this trend largely to social media influence, where platforms like TikTok inspire travelers with visually appealing destinations. Despite concerns over crime and Airbnb restrictions, New York City remains a top travel destination, with high demand driving hotel prices up.  Looking ahead, Hafner emphasized that Kayak is focusing on improving its mobile app and adapting to AI-driven search trends to stay competitive in an evolving travel landscape. He believes that AI will play a major role in travel booking, with agentic AI potentially automating travel planning and purchases in the near future. As the industry evolves, Kayak is striving to remain a key player by leveraging technology, enhancing user experience, and staying ahead of shifting consumer behaviors. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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  • 2025 Travel Outlook: Steady Growth, Consumer Optimism and Industry Shifts
    In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, hosts Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko discuss their travel predictions for 2025, reflecting on holiday experiences and the need for a return to routine. They explore consumer spending trends, regional differences in travel priorities, and the impact of social media on travel bookings. The conversation also covers growth in the online travel sector, the hotel industry's revenue projections, and insights from consumer surveys that reveal a strong desire for exploration and travel as a top discretionary expense. Takeaways Travel remains a top priority for consumers in 2025. A consumer survey indicated a 9% increase in travel spending. India shows the highest expected growth in travel spending at 14%. Social media is becoming a trusted platform for travel bookings. The online travel sector is projected to grow significantly in 2025. The hotel industry is on track to reach nearly a trillion dollars in revenue. Airlines are expected to see steady growth, with a focus on premium services. Consumer optimism about travel spending is high despite economic uncertainties. Exploring new destinations is a key travel goal for 2025. The travel industry is adapting to changing consumer preferences and behaviors.
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  • How I Travel: Rafat Ali Featuring Sarah Kopit
    In this episode of Skift's How I Travel series, Skift CEO & Founder, Rafat Ali, interviews Sarah Kopit, Editor-in-Chief of Skift, discussing her personal travel philosophy, habits, and reflections. They explore topics like her transition from fast-paced work life to relaxed, unplugged vacations, her family-oriented travel preferences, her minimalist approach to packing, and her cautious stance on environmental travel. The conversation highlights her upbringing in a travel-loving family, her adventurous pre-kids travel experiences, and her current focus on creating enriching travel experiences for her children. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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  • How I Travel: Rafat Ali Featuring Jason Clampet
    In this episode of the Skift How I Travel series, Skift Founder & CEO, Rafat Ali, interviews Skift's Chief Product Officer, Jason Clampet, about his travel habits and philosophies. They discuss Jason's unfussy approach to travel, the balance between local and international trips, airline loyalty, packing strategies, and the importance of food in travel experiences. Jason shares insights on family travel, home swapping, and his pet peeves regarding hotel usability, particularly in relation to hooks and lighting. In this conversation, Rafat and Jason discuss various aspects of travel, including hotel experiences, exploring new destinations, maintaining fitness on the road, food choices, the role of technology, overcoming language barriers, and the appeal of cities like Copenhagen. They also touch on how their travel habits have evolved over time, the significance of souvenirs, and advice for future travelers. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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  • How I Travel: Rafat Ali Featuring Colin Nagy
    Skift's How I Travel Podcast Series features intimate conversations diving deep into the personal travel philosophies, habits, and styles of industry insiders and cultural influencers. Each episode features an in-depth interview with an expert traveler, where they share their unique perspectives on various aspects of the travel experience. This episode features an extended interview exploring the travel philosophy of Colin Nagy, a seasoned travel writer. The conversation delves into Nagy's long-term perspective on travel as a lifestyle, emphasizing its impact on his thinking and personal growth, rather than solely focusing on the typical travel influencer aesthetic. Key themes include Nagy's appreciation for authentic hospitality and well-crafted experiences, his approach to destination selection driven by regional fascination and personal connections, and his insights into navigating business and leisure travel seamlessly. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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About 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
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