Episodes

  • Slick Talk: Beyond the Eight Hours & Hospitality’s Next Chapter

    Slick Talk: Beyond the Eight Hours & Hospitality’s Next Chapter
    Aug 14 2025
    Wil Slickers here again, and I’m closing out our summer break by sharing one of my favorite episodes from Slick Talk — a deep, future-focused conversation with Richard Valtr, founder of Mews. Richard and I go beyond operations to explore what it means to think theologically about hospitality: why the real competition isn’t other hotels but the hours outside of a guest’s sleep, how technology should drive growth instead of just cutting costs, and what it takes to turn a property into a lifestyle brand. We talk about Mews’ journey from serving independents to winning enterprise clients, the role of acquisitions like Nomi Travel, and how AI, personalization, and a richer 24-hour guest experience could redefine our industry. This one’s for anyone who wants to think bigger about what hospitality can be. Follow the Hosts: Wil Slickers – ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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    52 mins
  • From Local Roots to Global Reach: Asia’s Hospitality Growth Strategy

    From Local Roots to Global Reach: Asia’s Hospitality Growth Strategy
    Aug 12 2025
    Join industry leaders Rafat Ali, CEO & Co-Founder of Skift, and Siradej "Champ" Donavanik, Vice President Development (Global), of Dusit International, as they explore how Asian hospitality brands are carving out a unique identity amid global competition. From managing villas across continents to expanding beyond Thailand, they discuss the importance of cultural authenticity, personalized guest experiences, and balancing technology with the human touch. Dive into the challenges and opportunities facing Southeast Asia’s booming travel markets, the impact of geopolitical shifts on tourism, and how Dusit leverages bespoke hospitality and strategic partnerships to grow in diverse markets, including India, China, Japan, and Europe. Learn how innovation, tradition, and education intersect to redefine what hospitality means in an increasingly connected world. Presented by EF World Journeys. Key Themes:- Managing and marketing villas across 20+ countries on four continents- Diversifying beyond Thailand: growth priorities in Southeast Asia, India, China, and Europe- Leveraging Asian hospitality’s unique, personalized service as a competitive edge- Balancing high-tech tools with high-touch human interaction for better guest experiences- Using technology to free staff for more meaningful guest engagement, not replace them- Overcoming challenges from geopolitical issues and natural disasters in Thailand- Promoting cross-cultural education and ASEAN hospitality competency standards- Targeting fast-growing emerging markets: Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines- Entering complex markets like India with local partners and long-term commitment- Exploring opportunities in Saudi Arabia and new European territories- Positioning Asian hospitality brands as distinctive alternatives to Western global chains Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠Facebook: ⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠ Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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    42 mins
  • Suite Success: Why Every City is a Food City, According to Top Chef’s Gail Simmons

    Suite Success: Why Every City is a Food City, According to Top Chef’s Gail Simmons
    Aug 7 2025
    While Sarah and Seth are on a summer break, we are taking the opportunity to introduce listeners to new shows. Today that is a Suite Success episode. Host Katie Cline sits down with Top Chef judge and culinary storyteller Gail Simmons to talk travel, taste, and the unexpected power of a good meal. From her early days in food media to two decades on Top Chef, Gail reflects on how curiosity—and a few bold leaps—shaped her career. She shares how food became her lens for understanding people and places, and why the best bites often come from the most surprising cities. Whether you’re building a brand, booking a trip, or dreaming up your next dinner party, Gail’s insights will leave you hungry for more. Connect with Gail: Gail's Instagram – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gail's Website – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gail's Substack – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Good Morning Hospitality: Predictions for Travel, Tech, and Guest Experience

    Good Morning Hospitality: Predictions for Travel, Tech, and Guest Experience
    Jul 31 2025
    This is a special crossover episode between Good Morning Hospitality and the Skift Travel Podcast. Following the recent acquisition of Good Morning Hospitality and Hospitality.FM by Skift, we’re sharing this episode to introduce Skift listeners to the voices, format, and perspective that power one of the industry’s most dynamic live podcasts. Good Morning Hospitality is a live, twice-weekly podcast covering the latest in short-term rentals, hotels, guest experience, and travel industry trends — hosted by a team of operators, analysts, and creators who are in it every day. In this crossover episode, hosts Wil Slickers (Skift’s new Director of Audio and Video Strategy), Brandy Canaley (COO at Roami), Jamie Lane (Chief Economist at AirDNA), and Michael Goldin (COO/Co-Founder of Nook) share their top predictions for hospitality in 2025 — from STR performance and pricing shifts to hotel tech, guest expectations, and the impact of AI across the industry. Whether you're new to GMH or already a listener, this conversation gives a strong look at where the team believes the hospitality world is headed — and how operators and brands should be thinking ahead. GMH broadcasts live every Monday and Wednesday morning: Mondays focus on the short-term rental space Wednesdays dive into hotel topics with recurring guests like Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk Thanks for tuning in to this crossover. We’re excited to bring these conversations into the Skift ecosystem — and to keep pushing the industry dialogue forward. Follow the Hosts: Wil Slickers – LinkedIn Brandy Canaley – LinkedIn Jamie Lane – LinkedIn Michael Goldin – LinkedIn Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠ Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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    37 mins
  • Blending Hotels and Rentals: Dart’s Bet for Group Travel at Scale

    Blending Hotels and Rentals: Dart’s Bet for Group Travel at Scale
    Jul 29 2025
    Skift CEO Rafat Ali talks with Chris Kelsey, President of Dart Interests, about how the firm is pushing the boundaries of what a resort can be. At the heart of the conversation is Evermore Orlando, Dart’s $2.5 billion destination next to Disney World that blends managed vacation rentals with luxury hotels, all designed with families and groups in mind. Kelsey breaks down why the traditional split between short-term rentals and hotels no longer works for modern travelers and how Evermore aims to fill that gap. He also shares how loyalty plays a central role in Dart’s strategy, especially through its alignment with Hilton Honors, and why they’ve embraced what he calls an “anti-theme park” philosophy when it comes to design. The discussion spans the evolution of Evermore, Dart’s growing portfolio across mountain and beach markets, and how the company is rethinking fundamentals like food and beverage, landscaping, and labor models. It's a deep dive into what happens when long-term vision, intentional design, and group-first thinking come together to challenge the status quo. Key themes: Why Dart is betting big on hybrid resort-vacation rental models Building at scale for families, groups, and multigenerational travelers How loyalty programs like Hilton Honors can unlock differentiation The “anti-theme park” design lens and what it means for experience Long-term value over short-term yield in real estate and hospitality Expansion into mountains, beaches, and overlooked secondary markets Reinventing food and beverage, landscaping, and workforce strategies Positioning Evermore against Airbnb, hotels, and legacy resorts Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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    32 mins
  • Airbnb’s Expansion Strategy: How Services and Experiences Are Changing the Trip

    Airbnb’s Expansion Strategy: How Services and Experiences Are Changing the Trip
    Jul 24 2025
    Today’s Skift Travel Podcast was recorded live at Skift Forum Asia Bangkok when Airbnb Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson joined us to unpack one of the company’s biggest launches in years: the global expansion of curated experiences and in-stay services. Stephenson shares how Airbnb is integrating new offerings like private chefs, trainers, spa treatments, and local-led activities directly into the app—and why these features are available not only to travelers, but also to locals. The conversation explores how Airbnb is shifting toward a full-trip platform by combining bookings, services, and activities in one place. Stephenson also explains the company’s localization strategy across Asia-Pacific, its response to economic uncertainty, and the growing role of pop culture in shaping travel behavior. From Michelin-star ramen in Tokyo to wellness treatments in your New York apartment, Airbnb is aiming to remove friction and deliver more personalized, high-quality travel experiences—without requiring you to stay in one of its listings. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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    22 mins
  • Simplicity in Loyalty: The Way Out For Indie Hotels

    Simplicity in Loyalty: The Way Out For Indie Hotels
    Jul 22 2025
    In this in-depth conversation, Skift Founder Rafat Ali sits down with Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), to unpack how the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands is carving out a distinct path in the hospitality landscape. With more than 45 brands—and more joining every year—GHA is proving that collaboration, not consolidation, can be the key to long-term success. Hartley shares how GHA’s Discovery loyalty program is helping member hotels drive direct bookings and increase guest retention through its unique Discovery Dollars currency. The conversation spans GHA’s airline alliance-inspired roots, the evolving economics of distribution, and the balancing act of maintaining autonomy while scaling global visibility. From the shifting value of leisure loyalty to the limits of “frequent stayer” models, this episode offers rare insight into the business case for staying independent—together. Key themes: Why the future of loyalty is about leisure, not just business The ROI of Discovery Dollars vs. traditional points systems OTA dependency and distribution strategy for smaller hotel brands What GHA learns from airline alliances—and where it diverges Loyalty as both a brand-builder and bottom-line driver Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠ ⁠⁠⁠WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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    58 mins
  • Why This Summer Is Breaking Flight Crews and the System

    Why This Summer Is Breaking Flight Crews and the System
    Jul 17 2025
    This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast features an in-depth conversation with Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants. Host Sarah Kopit and Nelson discuss the challenges flight attendants face amid record-breaking summer travel, ongoing labor negotiations, and the evolving political landscape. Topics include aviation safety, contract bargaining, staffing, public perception, and the global solidarity among flight crews in a rapidly changing world. Record summer travel is overwhelming flight crews, with high passenger volumes, weather disruptions, and minimal staffing stretching flight attendants to their limits. Union President Sara Nelson warns of federal instability, citing workforce cuts at key agencies like the National Weather Service and TSA as safety risks. Despite political turmoil, Nelson praises Transportation Secretary Duffy for advancing FAA modernization and stabilizing air traffic operations. Contract negotiations are reshaping the industry, with major wins on boarding pay and healthcare at United Airlines and organizing momentum growing at Delta. Passenger aggression remains elevated, but public support for flight attendants is stronger than ever, fueling optimism for broader labor solidarity. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ ⁠WhatsApp: ⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠ Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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    35 mins