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

Native American Interior Secretary Nominee Presents Big Promise for U.S. Outdoor Tourism

From her opposition to the fossil fuel industry to spearheading bipartisan legislation protecting public lands, Congresswoman Deb Haaland has shown she’s a fierce protector of America’s natural resources. As future Interior Secretary, she could be a giant boost for the sustainable development of outdoor travel post-Covid.

Native American Interior Secretary Nominee Presents Big Promise for U.S. Outdoor Tourism

Tourism

Advocates Push for Fairness by Asking to Delay Election for UN Tourism Agency Leadership

Calling for an ethical nomination process, a new petition spearheaded by respected voices in the industry— including former secretary general Taleb Rifai — could lead to a potential shakedown at UNWTO in 2021, just as travel enters a year in which a unified tourism voice will be sorely needed.

Advocates Push for Fairness by Asking to Delay Election for UN Tourism Agency Leadership

Coronavirus

Pandemic Moves Short-Term Rental Regulation More Quickly Into Public-Private Collaboration

The Covid crisis seems to have softened some of the hostilities between cities and short-term rental players. The idea of the two sides working together was once anathema, but certainly seems possible as long as their thinking keeps evolving.

Pandemic Moves Short-Term Rental Regulation More Quickly Into Public-Private Collaboration

Tourism

Bahraini Cultural Icon Vying to Be First Female Head of United Nation’s Tourism Arm

Shaikha Mai could become the first woman to lead the United Nations World Tourism Organization. She's a triple threat: a trailblazer in sustainability through heritage preservation, decades of public-private leadership, and an influential Arab female in global tourism. Mai could be just what the industry needs as it seeks to “build back better” post-Covid.

Bahraini Cultural Icon Vying to Be First Female Head of United Nation’s Tourism Arm

Business Travel

Uncertainty Looms Over Seamless EU-UK Tourism as Final Brexit Nears

The lack of clarity surrounding EU-UK travel regulations in 2021 is causing concern among European Union destinations as well as tourism service providers. But the biggest deterrent to consumer confidence could be the continued lack of consensus on travel health protocols.

Uncertainty Looms Over Seamless EU-UK Tourism as Final Brexit Nears

Tourism

A Funding Crisis at Destinations Spurs New Tourism Marketing Models

Since April, destination marketing organizations have been forced to seek funding beyond revenue from hotel bed taxes, which aren’t expected back fully for four years. What’s emerging? A blended DMO model in which advocacy, corporations, and communities play key roles.

A Funding Crisis at Destinations Spurs New Tourism Marketing Models

Coronavirus

Is It Right to Promote Holiday Travel Amid a Second Covid Surge?

There’s no telling how many of the projected 50 million Americans traveling for Thanksgiving will ditch their plans as the CDC and states sound the alarm. In the travel industry, the messages go from “stay home, buy local” to “book now for 2021” or “if you’re visiting, be safe,” as destinations and companies continue to balance their need for revenue against public health.

Is It Right to Promote Holiday Travel Amid a Second Covid Surge?

Airlines

Vaccine Euphoria Isn’t Deterring United From Conservative Approach as Year-End Cancellations Rise

In spite of a rise in holiday flight cancellations, United Airlines remains confident for the long-term return of business and international travel — there is pent-up travel demand and the airline has had success with its early pre-flight testing programs. Still, even with a vaccine on the horizon, the airline remains cautious.

Tourism

Destinations Embrace Multilingual, Multicultural Marketing to Attract New Travelers for Post-Covid Reality

With source markets on lockdown and shifting border restrictions, destinations are targeting global and regional travelers they'd previously overlooked. The result? A rise in multilingual and cross cultural tourism campaigns. It’s about time.

Destinations Embrace Multilingual, Multicultural Marketing to Attract New Travelers for Post-Covid Reality

Cruises

Key West’s Big Ship Ban Signals a Major Shift Ahead for Cruise Tourism

In an unprecedented citizen-led push against mass cruise tourism during a time of undertourism, Key West voters boldly chose to protect the environment and public health. It’s sparked hope for change across similarly challenged port communities, but at a time when destinations are desperate for tourism. What's for sure: the “reset” conversation is no longer just talk.

Key West’s Big Ship Ban Signals a Major Shift Ahead for Cruise Tourism