Skift Originals

The Skift Design Awards recognizes the brands and designers shaping the future of travel experiences. We've pulled together a panel of judges from Bunkhouse, AWAY, Slack, WeWork, and more.

In today’s consumer-centric world, where experiences, personal fulfillment, and transformative moments are revered as the ultimate currency, the role of design — in every sense of the word — has never been more important. This is our brief guide to understanding the elevated role of design in the travel industry.

As one of the largest travel sectors, accommodations will continue to grow as travel becomes an even more integral part of consumer lifestyles. Yet it remains to be seen if the disruption from alternative accommodations will fundamentally shake up the entire sector.

The early submission deadline for the 2019 Skift Design Awards has been extended to May 17. Claim your spot as an industry innovator now!

Everywhere you look in travel, you see it. It touches every end of the travel experience. And that's not good. So why wouldn't Skift focus on plastics as a core area of coverage? You're going to want to read these stories.

Women tend to be the primary demographic in the well-being space, but companies see growth potential in the men’s market, too.

The dramatic uptick in companies that want a space at South by Southwest’s Wellness Expo reflects the rise of the industry and shows how brands are increasingly trying to reach this wellness-minded audience.

Lately the improbable keeps happening. Exhibit A: Donald Trump. So we've ventured some bold forecasts on everything from cruise ship dining to the acquisition plans of Airbnb, Oyo, Microsoft, and Sabre. Chances are these things won't happen, but our editors thought this mental exercise may help prep readers to expect a surprising 2019.

Ever since Naoshima, Japan, became home to a number of contemporary art museums, sculptures, and installations, the island's identity as an "art island" has become intertwined with its history and culture. Naoshima now represents a way for other destinations to think about how tourism, and art tourism specifically, can be used to revitalize communities while preserving tradition and demonstrating respect to heritage.

It's summer. Slow down. Take a breath. And catch up with some of Skift's best deep dives and enterprise stories so far in 2018.