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

Overtourism

Hawaii Tourism Greeted With About-Face: 70 Percent of Residents Now Support

Hawaii's residents are aware tourism per se is a plus for development, the latest survey shows — but they also want solutions and action. Acting fast is crucial.

Hawaii Tourism Greeted With About-Face: 70 Percent of Residents Now Support

Tourism

Travel’s Creator Economy Resets for Next Boom

Post pandemic, brand and destination marketing dollars will favor those who get hyper-creative, hyper-local and hyper-talented in video and storytelling content. There's a boom coming — for those playing the long game.

Travel’s Creator Economy Resets for Next Boom

Tourism

UK Expands List of ‘Green Light’ Countries for Travel

Real beach time is finally here for Britons eager to escape this summer, and it's great news for tourism-dependent spots such as the Caribbean, Malta, and the Balearics. But with the traffic light system potentially changing at any time, it isn't likely to boost consumer confidence for international travel.

UK Expands List of ‘Green Light’ Countries for Travel

Tourism

New York City’s New $30 Million Tourism Campaign Says ‘It’s Time’

The Big Apple's post-pandemic revival is here and it's hitting all the mediums to say it in a $30 million, yearlong campaign that might just create the intense "FOMO" it's aiming to stir up in travelers far and wide.

New York City’s New $30 Million Tourism Campaign Says ‘It’s Time’

Tourism

Time to Reopen U.S.-Canada Border, Say Travel and Government Leaders

Lawmakers and travel leaders are urging the broader travel industry to make their voices heard: this U.S.-Canada land border closure must end now. The consequences have been dire for tourism, particularly in Canada where there's been zero recovery since last year's shutdown.

Time to Reopen U.S.-Canada Border, Say Travel and Government Leaders

Coronavirus

CDC Eases Cruise Restrictions But Warns the Unvaccinated as Covid Cases Return

If you're not vaccinated, don't sail — that's the CDC's latest recommendation on cruises anywhere in the world. For the cruise lines, it's becoming clear that the message is, if you want a fully vaccinated ship, don't sail out of Florida.

CDC Eases Cruise Restrictions But Warns the Unvaccinated as Covid Cases Return

Coronavirus

What Hotels Need to Become, Through the Eyes of 3 General Managers

Hotel leaders can expect to juggle new roles as travel returns — namely, taking a more community-inclusive approach to management and incorporating lifestyle guest experiences on site.

What Hotels Need to Become, Through the Eyes of 3 General Managers

Tourism

Intrepid Travel’s Overtourism Antidote for Europe Focuses on Hyperlocal and Remote

It's a promising approach — partnering with an established, niche conservation group to offer trips focused on uncrowded Mediterranean villages and protected areas. And it might just work as more travelers seek "soulful" experiences away from Europe's tourist crowds.

Intrepid Travel’s Overtourism Antidote for Europe Focuses on Hyperlocal and Remote

Tourism

Los Angeles Tourism Scripts Early Comeback Story as California Reopens

For a state that's restricted businesses and tourism for a year, the rebound is a rapid one — particularly for a major city.

Los Angeles Tourism Scripts Early Comeback Story as California Reopens

Tourism

UK Tourism Recovery Delayed as Lockdown Extends to July 19

The UK government says it's unlikely there will be another extension, as tourism recovery sees another month of pause while the rest of the EU reopens.

UK Tourism Recovery Delayed as Lockdown Extends to July 19