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Skift Global Forum 2021

Complete coverage of speakers and conversations at the travel industry’s top event. Read summaries, watch video highlights, and stay up to date with the latest announcements.

Online Travel

Booking Holdings CEO Expands on the ‘Connected Trip’ Vision

CEO Glenn Fogel has said before Booking Holdings must knit together "the connected trip" for customers, but not everyone has grasped the vision. Fogel seems right in saying that selling bundles of travel products is no longer enough in an era of Uber- and Amazon-style customer service.

Booking Holdings CEO Expands on the ‘Connected Trip’ Vision

Airlines

Southwest’s Incoming CEO Says Hiring Will Be a Big Early Challenge

Southwest Airlines' Robert Jordan is mostly excited about his new job but also "20 percent terrified." And for good reason, he takes the helm as the carrier navigates a hiring crunch in the midst of the recovery from the worst crisis in its history.

Southwest’s Incoming CEO Says Hiring Will Be a Big Early Challenge

Hotels

Hilton CEO: Business Travel Demand Will Eclipse 2019 Levels in 3 Years

Don't discount the return of business travel demand, but Hilton has an advantage in having a bulk of its business transient traffic coming from smaller companies. Those relying on major corporate traffic to fill hotel rooms shouldn't get too excited quite yet.

Hilton CEO: Business Travel Demand Will Eclipse 2019 Levels in 3 Years

Online Travel

How Expedia Is Breaking Down Its Siloed Brands Approach

Wow, CEO Expedia Peter Kern isn't afraid of saying what he thinks.

How Expedia Is Breaking Down Its Siloed Brands Approach

Tourism

Can Tourism Go Outside Its Comfort Zone by Confronting Social Issues Head-On?

The message from these two outspoken speakers was clear: the travel industry must go beyond easy rhetoric on diversity to be inclusive, and community-minded. Copping out is not an option.

Can Tourism Go Outside Its Comfort Zone by Confronting Social Issues Head-On?

Tourism

A Deaf Traveler Opens Up About Making Travel More Accessible

Accessible travel shouldn't be something to be checked off a list. Instead, Marlene Valle says, it's a human right.

A Deaf Traveler Opens Up About Making Travel More Accessible

Online Travel

Certares Founder on the Ease of Investing in Travel During a Pandemic

It is certainly an attractive time for private equity firms to invest in travel companies under pressure, but picking winners is never a slam dunk.

Certares Founder on the Ease of Investing in Travel During a Pandemic

Hotels

Google’s New Climate Push Won’t Penalize Hotels That Opt Out

What can make a travel companies truly put their money where their mouth is on sustainability? Threaten a lower placement on a Google search.

Google’s New Climate Push Won’t Penalize Hotels That Opt Out

Airlines

Air France-KLM Chief Welcomes Coming Surge in Transatlantic Travel

It's too early to tell if travelers will flock to the U.S. after the Biden administration eased entry requirements for European visitors to the U.S., Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith said. Instead, next summer could be when travel across the Atlantic resurges.

Air France-KLM Chief Welcomes Coming Surge in Transatlantic Travel

Ground Transport

Uber CEO Is Fine Not Having a Superapp Model to Broaden Ridesharer’s Reach Into Travel

Come for the rides, stay for the food. Dara Khosrowshahi joined Uber as CEO when ridehailing was everything. Now he's navigating a multi-product approach. Yet when it comes to profits, Uber's still en route.

Uber CEO Is Fine Not Having a Superapp Model to Broaden Ridesharer’s Reach Into Travel