Best Skift Podcasts (2025)

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20 Risk-Taking Travel Leaders, Marriott's Split Performance and Hyatt's All-Inclusive Boom 3:07

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2d ago3:07

3:07

Skift’s Generation Next series highlights 20 women transforming the travel industry, including leaders like Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson and Shaika Nasser Al Nowais, who will become the first Emirati and first woman to lead UN Tourism. Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano pointed to a “bifurcation of the consumer,” with luxury travel booming while mid-tier ho…

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The FIFA World Cup: Tourism, Strategy, and the $3.3B Opportunity 34:42

3d ago34:42

34:42

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. Seth Borko and Sarah Kopit sit down with Bettina Garibaldi, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NYNJ Host Committee, to unpack how the region is preparing for an event expected to …

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The Impact of Airbnb Policy Changes, with Dennis Schaal of Skift 45:47

9d ago45:47

45:47

Send us a message! Airbnb’s evolving policies have become one of the most pressing conversations in vacation rentals today - sparking questions, frustrations, and new realities for property managers across the industry. In this episode, Alex & Annie welcome Dennis Schaal, Founding Editor at Skift, to discuss what these changes mean for property man…

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GMH Hotels: Copenhagen’s Eco Push, Hotels Struggle, Visa Shift 32:07

19h ago32:07

32:07

On GMH Hotels this week, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk start with Copenhagen’s CopenPay program that rewards visitors for traveling sustainably and is quickly becoming a model for more than 100 other cities worldwide. They then turn to a new J.D. Power report showing declining guest satisfaction at third-party managed hotels, with frustrations grow…

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Vrbo’s Crackdown, Accor’s Subscription Push and Europe’s AI Lag 3:59

1d ago3:59

3:59

Vrbo will begin enforcing 100% penalties on U.S. hosts starting October 1 if guests are denied access to booked homes, with fines equal to the reservation amount and potential suspensions, as part of broader crackdowns by Vrbo and Airbnb on poor host service. Accor is consolidating its regional subscription cards under the global All Accor+ brand, …

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Profits A'Plenty for Australian Airlines 29:19

1d ago29:19

29:19

In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss robust financials from the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia, and explore why Air New Zealand continues to struggle. In part two, the conversation turns to China and the headwinds dragging on profitability for the country's three largest airlines. Follow the Hosts:Gordon Smith – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jay Shabat – ⁠⁠⁠…

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How Xplorie Helps Elevate the Guest Experience Through Local Activities with Adrienne Clark & Caleb Yaryan 49:49

4d ago49:49

49:49

Send us a message! In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Adrienne Clark (President & COO) and Caleb Yaryan (Chief Product Officer) of Xplorie, a trusted partner for vacation rental operators looking to enhance guest satisfaction while gaining a competitive edge. For nearly 30 years, Xplorie has been connecting lodging providers with local attract…

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Leasing the Skies, Redefining Luxury and Expanding Across Borders 4:03

2d ago4:03

4:03

A group led by Sumitomo Corp and SMBC Aviation Capital will acquire aircraft lessor Air Lease for $7.4 billion, marking a major shift in an industry where leased planes now make up more than half of the global fleet. Relais & Châteaux is carefully modernizing while expanding into markets like India, China, and Southeast Asia, balancing digital adop…

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Inside Agoda’s AI Bet: Building Silicon Valley in Bangkok 51:19

3d ago51:19

51:19

Throughout the summer, Skift CEO Rafat Ali has been sitting down with travel leaders around the world for wide-ranging conversations about real estate, artificial intelligence, emerging destinations, independent hotels, and more. For the last episode in this series, Ali sits down with Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern to talk about the evolution of Agoda…

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France Targets High-Spenders, Sweden Faces Heat and India-China Reconnect 3:28

3d ago3:28

3:28

France is pivoting its tourism strategy to court higher-spending long-haul visitors from Asia, the Gulf, and North America, aiming to boost international tourism revenue by 41% by 2030 with a focus on longer, higher-quality stays. Despite record Northern European heat this summer, Visit Sweden says tourism impacts have been minimal so far, though c…

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Airbnb Fee Shake-Up & TikTok’s Booking.com Deal 31:47

4d ago31:47

31:47

On this Labor Day episode of GMH STR Crew, Jamie Lane and Michael Goldin break down Airbnb’s major shift requiring PMS-connected hosts to adopt the host-only fee structure, explaining what it means for professional managers and individual hosts. They unpack how Airbnb’s “total price” display strategy impacts conversion, why this aligns with its pus…

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1st of the Month Bonus: Annie’s Big Leap, Plus Tyann’s 2026 World Cup STR Plan 45:16

4d ago45:16

45:16

Send us a message! In this special first-of-the-month bonus episode, Alex & Annie sit down with a longtime friend and industry leader Tyann Marcink Hammond to talk about a timely and much-needed initiative to support host education. Tyann shares how she’s leading an effort to prepare short-term rental operators ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sta…

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Airbnb’s Fee Shake-Up, Perks for Slow Travel and the Supersonic Race 4:18

7d ago4:18

4:18

Airbnb will introduce a single-fee payment system in October, shifting service charges from guests to property managers, who will now pay 14–16% per booking, though the company says overall costs remain unchanged. Meanwhile, employers such as Positive Planet and Climate Perks are offering extra vacation days to staff who opt for lower-carbon travel…

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GMH Hotels: Hyatt Lifestyle Loyalty, Hilton Refresh & Airport Gold Squad 29:37

8d ago29:37

29:37

This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk unpack some of the biggest moves in travel and hospitality. Hyatt expands its loyalty program into lifestyle perks, while Hilton reimagines its 106-year-old flagship brand for a new generation of guests. In Las Vegas, a closed Strip hotel is auctioning off iconic memorabilia, raising questions …

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Can Spirit Airlines Survive? 27:19

8d ago27:19

27:19

In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the prospects of Spirit Airlines as it struggles to revive. In part two, the conversation turns north to Air Canada and its path ahead following a costly, peak-season flight attendant strike. Five Key Takeaways Spirit Airlines faces existential risk – with bankruptcy, liquidation, merger, or recovery as possible …

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New York to London in 3 Hours? Boom Supersonic’s CEO Is Betting on 2029 38:43

8d ago38:43

38:43

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. Scholl shares how Boom is working to make three-hour transatlantic flights a reality by the end of the decade, why Concorde failed to scale, and how Bo…

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Moneyball for Hotels, Penn Station's Overhaul and Huge Labor Day Air Travel 3:31

8d ago3:31

3:31

HotelAVE has grown into a $12 billion hotel asset management firm by using data to uncover profit gaps at properties, often challenging industry norms on operations and pricing strategies. The company has also built proprietary software to integrate data from multiple management systems, streamlining analysis and decision-making. Meanwhile, the Tru…

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Frontier Vs. Spirit, Ryanair Plus Booking and Flight Attendants Vs. Bad Deals 3:41

9d ago3:41

3:41

Frontier Airlines is adding 20 new routes targeting some of Spirit Airlines’ most popular leisure destinations as Spirit faces financial uncertainty and warns it may not survive without additional funding. Ryanair has struck a deal with Booking Holdings to list its fares on Booking.com, Kayak, and Priceline, part of a broader effort to partner with…

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Brookfield’s Global Bet on Hospitality’s Future 40:34

10d ago40:34

40:34

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. From billion-dollar acquisitions in Europe to long-term plays in India, Shai …

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Hyatt’s New Perks, TikTok’s Hotel Play and Spirit’s Struggles 3:31

10d ago3:31

3:31

Hyatt now allows World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points on non-room experiences through its new “Find Experiences” program, part of a broader industry effort to boost ancillary revenue. TikTok has partnered with Booking.com in the U.S., enabling users to book hotels directly via TikTok’s app by clicking on location pins in videos or searc…

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Vrbo Flexes Cancellations, Viator Pressure, Casago’s Franchise Bet 32:13

11d ago32:13

32:13

This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley and Jamie Lane dive into the latest shifts shaping short-term rentals and travel. Vrbo’s new guest cancellation policy aims to increase flexibility and bookings but raises concerns from hosts about risk and revenue stability. Tripadvisor faces investor pressure to spin off Via…

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Google's New AI Tool, U.S. Visa Scrutiny and UK Rail Fare Hikes 3:32

16d ago3:32

3:32

Google’s new Pixel 10 feature, Magic Cue, uses AI to scan apps, emails, and screenshots to quickly surface airline and hotel details, making it easier to manage bookings or share travel information. The U.S. State Department confirmed all 55 million valid visa holders are under continuous vetting, monitoring records and social media as part of the …

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Tripadvisor Under Pressure, Trump's D.C. Hotels and Trump and Alaska's Loyalty Play 3:39

15d ago3:39

3:39

Tripadvisor faces fresh activist pressure as investor Palliser urges the company to prioritize or sell its fast-growing Viator unit, which it values higher than Tripadvisor’s entire market cap. Washington, D.C., hotels saw occupancy dip to 64% after a federal takeover of local police, though the decline mirrors broader national softening in demand.…

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What are the World’s Busiest Airports? 29:45

16d ago29:45

29:45

In this week's show, Gordon and Jay take a step back from the business of airlines to explore the world's busiest airports. As we discover, the global top 10 is constantly changing with a fierce battle to maintain international ranking and prestige. Follow the Hosts:Gordon Smith – ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Jay Shabat – ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Airline W…

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Good Morning Hospitality: Marriott Flat, Inclusive Hiring & TSA Shake-Ups 38:57

16d ago38:57

38:57

While Seth Borko and Sarah Kopit are taking a short summer break, we’re sharing another episode from our show, Good Morning Hospitality. If you caught the first crossover episode earlier this month, you heard from the Monday short-term rental crew. Today, we’re featuring the Wednesday hotel crew—⁠Sarah Dandashy and ⁠Steve Turk⁠—who cover hotels, tr…

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GMH Hotels: Soho House Deal, TikTok Goes Hotel, and Spirit Airlines at Risk 31:38

16d ago31:38

31:38

In this week’s episode, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk unpack Soho House & Co’s $2.7B move to go private and what it means for the future of luxury lifestyle clubs, plus the risks of influencers relying on ChatGPT for visa advice after one viral travel mishap. They also explore TikTok’s push into travel commerce with its new affiliate program for ho…

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The Bossy Girl’s Guide to Thriving Through Self-Doubt with Michelle Marquis 54:36

16d ago54:36

54:36

Send us a message! What if imposter syndrome wasn’t a weakness, but a sign you’re growing? In this episode, Alex and Annie are joined by Michelle Marquis, founder of The Marquis Effect and now author of The Bossy Girl’s Guide to Leadership, which has just been released. Written for women navigating leadership and self-doubt, the book is part memoir…

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Southwest's Vacation Packages, Frustrated Biz Travelers and the Rate Cut Travel Companies Long For 3:42

18d ago3:42

3:42

Southwest Airlines is launching Getaways by Southwest, its own vacation packages platform that bundles flights, hotels, and ground transportation, allowing customers to earn Rapid Rewards points while booking in over 30 markets such as Las Vegas, Orlando, and Hawaii. At the same time, business travelers are increasingly frustrated by content fragme…

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Soho House Goes Private, Hotel Investment Stalls and Long-Haul Climate Impact 3:43

19d ago3:43

3:43

Soho House is going private in a $2.7 billion deal led by MCR Hotels and CEO Tyler Morse, while billionaire Ron Burkle will remain its controlling shareholder; the move follows three straight profitable quarters for the global members-only club operator. At the same time, global hotel investment activity has slowed, with JLL reporting a 16% drop in…

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Building Humanity into Hospitality Management with Valor’s Global CEO 44:36

17d ago44:36

44:36

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. With a presence in 20 countries and nearly 100 properties, Valor is redefining what hotel management looks like, from …

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Airbnb’s BNPL Move, Expedia’s Design Play & Weather-Backed Stays 28:46

18d ago28:46

28:46

This Monday, the GMH Short-Term Rental Crew, with Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dive into the latest moves shaping the STR and travel landscape. Airbnb rolls out its new “Reserve Now, Pay Later” option, signaling a shift toward more flexible booking terms that could boost conversions for longer stays. BNPL trends are expanding a…

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Google's AI Flights, Airbnb's BNPY Feature, and Air Canada’s Disruptions 3:32

22d ago3:32

3:32

Google is launching an AI-powered Flight Deals tool aimed at flexible travelers willing to trade fixed plans for lower prices. Airbnb introduced a Reserve Now, Pay Later feature in the U.S., giving guests more payment flexibility as part of its strategy to boost domestic bookings. Meanwhile, Air Canada began canceling flights ahead of a potential f…

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In Deep Shift: Navigating Change, Loss, and Business Growth with Valerie Gangas 33:45

22d ago33:45

33:45

Send us a message! This week, Alex & Annie sit down with Valerie Gangas, Founder & CEO of Juniper Holiday + Homes, for a conversation that blends business, design, and deep personal transformation. Valerie shares how Juniper began with a personal real estate portfolio and evolved into a thriving multi-market vacation rental management company opera…

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What is America's Most Profitable Airline? 31:00

24d ago31:00

31:00

In this week's show, Gordon and Jay unpack the latest earnings season data at major U.S. carriers. From the winners to the losers and everything in between, we examine the key factors driving profitability in Q2 2025. Follow the Hosts:Gordon Smith – ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠Jay Shabat – ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linked…

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Slick Talk: Beyond the Eight Hours & Hospitality’s Next Chapter 52:27

23d ago52:27

52:27

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. Richard and I go beyond operations to explore what it means to think theologically about hospitality: why the real competition isn’t other hotels but the hour…

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Canadians Shun U.S., Ennismore’s IPO Impact, and MSC’s Carbon Cuts 3:42

24d ago3:42

3:42

Canadian travel to the U.S. continued to fall in July, with sharp declines in both car and air returns, while visits to other countries like Japan and Brazil increased. A potential IPO for Ennismore could reshape investor sentiment toward lifestyle hotels, signaling a shift in value from scale to brand identity and experience. Meanwhile, MSC Cruise…