Lebawit Lily Girma

Lily is Skift's global tourism reporter. Prior to that, she wrote travel stories focused on culture and sustainability for BBC, CNN, and Travel + Leisure, and others. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Côte d’Ivoire, she calls herself a serial expat and loves to debate the power of tourism to tip the scales of imbalance in the world. Lily splits her time between the Dominican Republic and the eastern U.S.

Latest Stories

Tourism

Little Progress This Year on Vaccine Equity Bodes Poorly for Full Tourism Recovery

The pharmaceutical companies can afford to be selfish and put profit before community. But the travel industry can't, whether it realizes it or not.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 5 days ago

Tourism

Indigenous Tourism Forms a Long Overdue Americas Collaborative to Boost Opportunities

The pandemic has spurred an over-abundance of initiatives across the travel industry, but this one certainly ranks among the most promising to date.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 6 days ago

Tourism

Singapore to Reopen to U.S., UK, Others, Without Quarantines

It's another sign the region is leaning towards the reality of having to live with Covid long-term.

Aradhana Aravindan and Anshuman Daga, Reuters | 1 week ago

Tourism

Panama Is Spending $300 Million With Lofty Goals for Community-Centric Tourism

The country's new sustainable tourism master plan could set a precedent for the region if the government puts its money where its mouth is. But is Panama's private sector ready to embrace sharing the tourism pie after a major downturn?

Lebawit Lily Girma | 1 week ago

Tourism

The Key to Hawaii Tourism’s Future Rests With State Elections in 2022

Tackling overtourism and committing to sustainable growth requires new public policy and support from the top layers of government. For Hawaii, that opportunity could come next August.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

South Korea’s New Tourism Campaign With 161 Million Views Online Already

Show, don't preach — that's what other destinations can glean from Korea's viral campaign.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

G7 Nations Offer 7 Broad Steps for Restarting International Travel

The moment the industry has been clamoring for seems to be here — rich nations agreeing to drive global standards for the restart of international travel. It's not perfect, but it's a long awaited start.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

Russia’s New Digital Push to Attract Global Travelers Faces One Major Hurdle

The RUSSPASS app is a major competitive step in boosting Russia's appeal as a tourist destination. But no e-visa, no dice. The two must go hand in hand.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 2 weeks ago

Tourism

Wellness Vacations Are the Next Big Splurge for Global Travelers

Yoga retreats will always have a place, but it's this expanded consumer definition of wellness activities that presents big opportunities ahead for the travel industry.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 3 weeks ago

Tourism

Brand USA Ready to Welcome Restless Global Travelers Ahead of a Funding Boost

The pandemic has highlighted Brand USA's role in driving international visitor demand and tourism's importance as the country's #2 export. Will the global fascination with coming to America transcend politics once borders reopen? Brand USA is betting on it.

Lebawit Lily Girma | 3 weeks ago