Skift Global Forum Preview: Global Strategist Parag Khanna Spots the Forces Uprooting Travel

How we live and work morphed in the pandemic. In the future, migrations will scatter both the dispossessed and the well-off. How can travel become a geopolitical force for good in our world increasingly on the move? Parag Khanna, an author and a geopolitical scientist, gave a lot of thought to this topic when writing his latest book, Move — which examines the forces uprooting the world. We spoke with Khanna about what the travel sector needs to know about the coming upheaval in mobility. The chat was prelude to his interview with Skift CEO Rafat Ali at Skift Global Forum on September 21 at the TWA Hotel in New York City. We've lightly edited the conversation for clarity. Skift: Your upcoming book Move (on sale October 5th in the U.S.) provides an illuminating and authoritative vision of the future. What do decision-makers in the travel industry need to know? [caption id="attachment_439624" align="alignright" width="400"] Parag Khanna.[/caption] Parag Khanna: We've gone from the Great Lockdown to the Great Reset, and soon we'll have the Great Migration. The travel industry is central to this next phase of history. You are charged with organizing human mobility beyond anyone's hometown. This is an incredibly powerful role and obligation. You can shape what we build and where we build, where people go and how they get there, and even what people do and how they do it. But let me back up: It's ironic that, in January 2020, we knew that 2019 had witnessed the highest number of international travelers in history [1.5 billion], and the number of migrants also stood at nearly 300 million. Since then, we've had the Great Reset, with many people returning "home" — wherever that is — not knowing if it's temporary or permanent. Next we will enter an era of great migrations, unlocking global mob