The Skift Travel Podcast

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Andrew Zimmern on Why Travel Needs Trust in the AI Era

October 09, 2026

Andrew Zimmern joins Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko to discuss how AI, social media and the creator economy are changing the way travelers discover the world. Zimmern argues that travel is entering a “trust economy,” as travelers navigate AI-generated recommendations, faceless travel accounts and millions of people presenting themselves as experts. He also explains why context matters more than bucket-list travel, what the demand for his guided trips says about the appetite for human-led experie...

Growth Under Pressure: The Decisions Hotel Brands Are Making Now

October 02, 2026

Recorded live at Skift Global Forum 2026, Jeremy Kressman talks with Heather Balsley, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Peter Manoogian, Partner at ZS, about hotel owner profitability, conversions and the changing economics of hotel growth. They also discuss how AI is reshaping hotel search, loyalty and distribution, and why machine-readable, accurate and consistent hotel content is becoming a critical demand driver. The conversation closes with a look at w...

AI Is Here. Now Travel Has to Figure Out Who to Trust.

September 26, 2026

Recorded live at Skift Global Forum, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko recap the biggest conversations from three days in New York, including AI agents, autonomous vehicles, Airbnb’s push into hotels, hotel owner economics and Prince Harry’s focus on destination sustainability. They also explore the theme that came up repeatedly across the forum: trust. As AI moves from theory into products that can research, book and act on travelers’ behalf, Sarah and Seth discuss what it means to trust machines ...