Skift Live Coverage

Etihad captain Aisha Al Mansoori didn't so much break the glass ceiling as much as soared through it.

If and when outbound Chinese travelers return, they will be a post-pandemic version of their former selves with altered likes and dislikes. Old-school marketing may fall flat.

Despite the significant benefits, not all destinations are able to develop successful global event strategies. Those that do demonstrate a relentless focus on supporting business.

Human capital is the main driver of the travel and hospitality industry and there needs to be a strategy to attract and train the right talent. Sometimes being greener than your competitors is the edge.

All global destinations want a head start when it comes to bringing back guests. But a place like Dubai, which was built with future demand in mind, is able to leverage its tourist-friendly infrastructure to switch things back on at an alarmingly fast pace.

Hilton's brand development formula is working. Never say never on acquisitions, but Nassetta doesn't want to be distracted by disadvantages inherited from rivals.

The Middle East is leading global tourism recovery as its robust expansion in both leisure and business experiences fuel its appeal. Add to this, its long summer remains a key multi-day tour drawcard for tour operators selling the region.

Social video is winning out as the preferred way for destinations to connect directly with travelers. But it's not just top of funnel awareness. New technology is making it possible to provide an engaging experience all the way from discovery to booking.

The new travel ideas being generated in places like Abu Dhabi and Dubai today could be the bridge to the rest of the Africa continent and the entire world in the not-so-distant future — if the region's innovators absorb the lessons from other tech hubs.

Yanolja has ambitious plans to be everything to everyone — will that work for the superapp?