Skift Podcast: Creating a Smarter City for Tourists and Locals, Part 1

Skift Take

Cities offer the ultimate platform for improving the quality of life for tens of millions of people. We discuss how.

Skift Podcast

Compelling discussions with travel industry leaders and creatives who are helping to shape the future of travel.

For the ninth episode of our second season of the Skift Podcast, we're focusing on the urban environment and talking to our friends at MasterCard about how cities and technology companies are working together to make smarter, more seamless environments.

Today we're discussing how to create the smarter city for tourists and locals alike. From digital payments to data-driven transportation solutions, to seamless travel, cities offer the ultimate platform for improving the quality of life for tens of millions of people. But connecting the available technology with a city's infrastructure and its visitors and residents is easier said than done.

Joining us for the podcast is Hany Fam, a 20-year veteran of MasterCard and its President of Enterprise Partnerships, where he is focused on bringing the company's network, analytics, products and solutions to areas outside of its traditional payment sphere. Along with Fam, we hear from Seth Schultz, Director of Research, Measurement & Planning at C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. C40 is a 10-year-old network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. For this episode, Skift co-founder Jason Clampet sits in for host Hannah Sampson alongside Senior Editor Greg Oates.

Up Next

Experiences

How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok

Driven by increased spending on experiences and the digital habits of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as a key platform for inspiring and shaping travel decisions. Leveraging the platform’s reach early in the year presents a unique opportunity for travel brands to connect with eager travelers.

TikTok for Business + Skift | 1 month ago

Southwest Blames Partners, Canadians Avoid the U.S. and Indian Women Lead

On today’s podcast we discuss Southwest’s disappointment with booking partners, Canadians’ disappointment with the U.S., and the women leading change in the Indian travel industry.

Rashaad Jorden | 2 hours ago

Aerial render of the town center of Al Marjan Island.

Hotels

Taj-Parent Indian Hotels Company Enters Ras Al Khaimah With Branded Residences

With big competitors like Movenpick and Hampton by Hilton resorts, IHCL has clearly tried to set itself apart by going the branded apartment route.

7 hours ago

Jongyoon Kim, the CEO of South Korea-based superapp Yanolja,

Online Travel

Yanolja Teams With ChatGPT and Google. More AI Partnerships to Come, CEO Says

Industry leaders envision a future where consumers can plan, book, and manage all aspects of travel from a single interface. These early partnerships between AI and travel companies bring that vision a step closer.

Justin Dawes | 13 hours ago