Skift Global Forum 2021

Uber in recent years has been offloading operations in geographies where it can't compete. Its CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who is an Expedia board member, knows that Expedia's Vrbo, too, can't launch a frontal assault against the larger Airbnb, but has to invest into its strength. That's worked to a degree.

Greg O'Hara of Certares argued that this is the easiest time to make travel investments ever — "if you are an expert." That's an important caveat, and we are skeptical that it is still not as easy as O'Hara lets on.

The hotel welcome mat belongs to guests near and far. Accor CEO Sebastien Bazin's future vision for the future of Accor banks on the idea more business will come from next door neighbors checking out a restaurant, café, or meeting space.

Southwest Airline's incoming CEO says he has a "bias for action." That's not a bad trait to have in an environment where everything has changed in the last 18 months.

We've been skeptics of Hopper since Skift's launch. They've been proving us wrong lately, and that's OK.

Clear's previous experience vetting travelers and moving them quickly through airport security put it in an excellent position to take on the challenges of identity, health, and vaccination in the (hopefully) coming post-Covid panic world.

Airbnb's Chesky has seen the future, and it is a lot like Airbnb: "This revolution really is about flexibility," he told attendees. "Suddenly you can live anywhere, you can work anywhere. And I think what’s pretty clear is we’ve all learned how much work can get done remotely."

In this brand talk from Skift Global Forum 2021, Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, speaks with Rafat Ali, Skift founder and CEO, on what luxury travel will look like moving forward.

In this video conversation from Skift Global Forum 2021, we hear from Carleigh Jaques, Senior VP, General Manager, Cybersource, a Visa Solution, about the changing nature of digital payments in the post-pandemic era.

In this conversation from Skift Global Forum, Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), speaks with Skift President Carolyn Kremins, about the organization’s dedication to local communities through positive social and economic impact, as well as its unique focus on sustainable tourism.