AI in Travel

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the dominant topic of the future in travel, and we’re keeping a close eye on it at Skift.

Breakthrough generative AI technology was released publicly by OpenAI last November, and a number of big-name travel companies have already responded. Expedia, Kayak, and more — including multiple startups — have started releasing experimental technologies that could lead to transformations in the way users discover, plan, and book travel.

Skift's own Ask Skift AI deep search tool gives readers extensive insight into the business of travel by training artificial intelligence on the complete archives of Skift, Skift Research, Airline Weekly, Skift Meetings, Daily Lodging Report, and Skift Live events.

Travel Technology

Hotelbeds Looking Outside Itself for Tech Innovation

Hotelbeds is joining some other travel tech companies in looking outside for innovative ideas. It's not on the level of adding a venture capital arm as some major travel companies have done, but it follows a similar idea.
Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb Delivers First Full Year of Profits

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Airbnb's first full year of profits, Marriott's stellar quarter, and generative AI's promise for travel.
Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb Notches First Full-Year Profit

Cities are indeed coming back, which seemingly counter-intuitively could present an average daily rate challenge for Airbnb. These pressures, though, are manageable.
Online Travel

Inside Generative AI's Promise for Travel Booking

Bumpy roads are inevitable, as is discerning the hype from genuine application, but travel companies should be considering their role in a world powered by generative AI and how to get there. If they haven't started, they are already behind.
Online Travel

The Era of Radical Innovation in Travel Booking Has Arrived

For years, we at Skift have talked about messaging & voice search being two potential new interfaces that help change travel booking, but not much has happened. Conversational AI is very likely going to change that.
Online Travel

Expedia Sees Tech Grunt Work Paying Off in 2023

Corporate turnarounds aren't pretty, and require fortitude. Expedia expects big things in 2023, but Vrbo's tech migration will be part of the ongoing challenge.
Business Travel

American Express Taps Microsoft AI for New Expenses Tool

Travel and expense companies are rushing to roll out new artificial intelligence tools and features, but it's hard to tell how much this is about game-changing tech compared to cashing in on the ChatGPT bandwagon.