The Skift Podcast

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, we welcome Oliver Heckmann, Google's vice president of engineering who heads the search engine's travel product. We spoke backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. He spoke to us about how user behavior is changing with the shift to mobile, Google’s efforts to move toward an assistant-driven environment, and the future of virtual and augmented reality. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Booking.com CEO Gillian Tans discusses last-minute behavior, direct bookings, advertising, new search methods, and more. We interviewed Gillian backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Lola Travel CEO Paul English discuses the inspiration for his new travel agency messaging app, how he is trying to improve the tools that travel agents use, and why chatting via message is more popular than talking. We interviewed English, who also co-founded Kayak, backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer speaks to us about the threat of competition, challenges for instant booking, the changing ways consumers are using the site, and what is still left to review. We interviewed Stephen backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, SilverRail CEO and co-founder Aaron Gowell speaks to us about his company's mission to make it easy to book train travel online by building a digital infrastructure for the global rail industry. We interviewed Aaron backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, former Starwood Hotels and Resorts CEO Frits van Paasschen speaks to us about Marriott’s recent acquisition of Starwood, the pain points that still plague travel, and what kind of disruption hotels should be worrying about. We interviewed Frits, who is now an investor, advisor, and author, backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

Google's steady push into the online travel space has deep implications for both established players and aspiring startups. In our first Skift Analyst Streamcast, we discuss Google's steady and seemingly relentless push into online travel. From search to bookings to reviews to the launch of Flights and Hotel Ads, the search giant has made its intentions quite clear. Established players are rightfully concerned about what Google means for the future of travel. What You'll Learn From This Podcast Google’s vast and complex reach in the travel industry Online travel consolidation Digital Transformation Survey results Google’s travel windfall Google Flights Hotel Ads Why Google is not becoming an OTA Get more travel insights with Skift Research. Subscription information at research.skift.com

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re bringing you three short conversations on air travel that we had in the Skift Take Studio backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The first conversation is with Robert Albert, founder and CEO of Routehappy, followed by a spirited back-and-forth between The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly and George Hobica, founder of discount airfare site Airfarewatchdog.com. The third is with Ben Smith, president for passenger airlines at Air Canada. This is one of several conversations we’re bringing you from backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Club Med President Henri Giscard D’Estaing speaks to us about the iconic company's transformation, its efforts to reach affluent millennials, and what's in store for all-inclusive model. We interviewed him backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this mini-episode of the Skift podcast, Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald speaks to us about the cruise giant's efforts to reach new travelers, the company’s expansion into China, and what the future holds for cruising. We interviewed him backstage in the Skift Take Studio during the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re bringing you two conversations on tours, activities, and experiences that we had in the Skift Take Studio backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The first is with Brett Tollman, CEO of The Travel Corporation. The second conversation is with Ruzwana Bashir, co-founder and CEO of the tour booking and technology site Peek. This is one of several conversations we’re bringing you from backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we're talking about the conflict between Airbnb and hotels — and how some of them are actually learning from each other. In the Skift Take Studio backstage at the Skift Global Forum, we spoke to Amar Lalvani, managing partner of Standard Hotels parent company Standard International, and and Liz Lambert, chief creative officer at Bunkhouse Group. We had a separate conversation with Airbnb’s Global Head of Hospitality and Strategy, Chip Conley. Lalvani and Lambert spoke to contributing writer Jeremy Kressman, and Conley spoke to podcast host Hannah Sampson. Skift editor Deanna Ting also joins Sampson to add some insight into the conversations. This is one of several conversations we’re bringing you from backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about the business of theme parks: How they’re trying to reach broader audiences, use technology to personalize visits, and raise the bar in the park experience as they raise prices. Our guests are Robert Niles, founder and editor of Theme Park Insider, and Martin Lewison, a professor of management at Farmingdale State College in New York who studies the theme park industry.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about how Iceland became a hot tourist spot, the tiny country’s complicated relationship with its visitors, and how the problems of overtourism can be solved. Our guest is Skift reporter Andrew Sheivachman, who reported a deep dive on the country's tourism issues, and we're also hearing from interviews he did with several industry leaders.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we're talking to some of the biggest names in online travel: Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Expedia Inc.; Jay Walker, founder of Priceline; Brad Gerstner, founder and CEO of Altimeter Capital; and Rich Barton, founder of Expedia. They join Skift podcast host Hannah Sampson and contributing writer Jeremy Kressman for a bonus conversation in the Skift Take Studio after appearing on stage at the Skift Global Forum. This is one of several conversations we’re bringing you from backstage at the Skift Global Forum. The Skift Take Studio Series is presented by Mastercard, a payments technology company that is enabling loyalty, security and data solutions for the global travel industry.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about the contemporary Black Travel Movement in the U.S., how it’s evolved, and what the future looks like for the community. Our guests are Evita Robinson, founder of Nomadness Travel Tribe, and Shannon Washington, co-founder and director of Parlour Magazine.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about how hostels have evolved, what’s next for the sector and whether they might finally break through in the U.S. Our guest is Fredrik Korallus, the CEO of design-focused Generator Hostels.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about the efforts to keep tourism afloat in Puerto Rico amid the debt crisis and Zika outbreak, what officials have learned about coping with crisis, and how Caribbean destinations are sharing tips and information. Our guests are Ingrid Rivera, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and Clarisa Jiménez, president and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association.

In this special edition of the Skift podcast, we’re taking a look at why it's especially hard for small business owners to take a vacation and examining some potential solutions. Joining us on the podcast are Ida Kroll, founder and CEO of Eventland in New York City, and Katie Denis, senior program director of Project: Time Off. This podcast is sponsored advertising content produced by SkiftX for the Marriott Rewards Premier Business Credit Card from Chase.

On this episode of the Skift podcast, we’re talking about hot topics in hospitality: direct booking, the rise of the sharing economy, opportunities and challenges in Cuba, evolving loyalty programs, and more. We have interviews with executives from Marriott International, Choice Hotels, Virgin Hotels, AccorHotels, and Red Lion Hotels, all of whom spoke to Skift editors Deanna Ting and Greg Oates while they were in town for the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference.