AI in Travel

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the dominant topic of the future in travel, and we’re keeping a close eye on it at Skift.

Breakthrough generative AI technology was released publicly by OpenAI last November, and a number of big-name travel companies have already responded. Expedia, Kayak, and more — including multiple startups — have started releasing experimental technologies that could lead to transformations in the way users discover, plan, and book travel.

Skift’s own Ask Skift AI deep search tool gives readers extensive insight into the business of travel by training artificial intelligence on the complete archives of Skift, Skift Research, Airline Weekly, Skift Meetings, Daily Lodging Report, and Skift Live events.

Online Travel

New Expedia CEO: Building Vrbo, Loyalty, and AI Tools

Some parts of Expedia Group took a hit during its recently completed tech migration, and now the new CEO is focused on rebuilding and more.

New Expedia CEO: Building Vrbo, Loyalty, and AI Tools

Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb’s Future: Not Just Short-Term Rentals, Not Just Travel

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky wants to make billions of dollars from new lines of business — and they may not all be focused on travel.

Airbnb’s Future: Not Just Short-Term Rentals, Not Just Travel

Travel Technology

Mindtrip Raises $12 Million in Tough Funding Environment for AI Trip Planners

There’s no question that travel search is changing with generative AI, but the jury is out on who the big winners will be. Mindtrip is jumping onboard as travel companies attempt to seize the opportunity.

Mindtrip Raises $12 Million in Tough Funding Environment for AI Trip Planners
Free Read

Online Travel

Redefining Hotel Search for Travel’s Experiential Era

The newest generation of AI technology is unshackling the hospitality industry from traditional search and booking. Anna Jaffe, CEO at Mobi.ai, unpacks her predictions for search's future and how hotels can better understand travelers’ needs through natural language interfaces and innovative search capabilities.

Redefining Hotel Search for Travel’s Experiential Era

Announcements

Announcing Ask Skift 2.0, the Travel Industry’s Answer Engine

Meet Ask Skift 2.0 – your upgraded guide to smarter travel knowledge, powered by years of expertise and cutting-edge AI.

Announcing Ask Skift 2.0, the Travel Industry’s Answer Engine

Travel Technology

The New iPhone 16 Camera Button Integrates with AI. How it Works for Travelers

The new iPhone is built so that users can ask AI about visuals with the click of a button. It's still early, but the ease of use means that the iPhone could win the race to become a future AI tour guide.

The New iPhone 16 Camera Button Integrates with AI. How it Works for Travelers

Experiences

5 Key Trends in Travel Experiences

Spending on tours and activities may hit $300 billion by 2025. Expect to see more consolidation pressures, growth in demographic targeting, adoption of AI, and attempts to react to climate change.

5 Key Trends in Travel Experiences

Hotels

Factors Driving Growth in India’s Hotel Industry – India Report

The Indian hotel industry is expected to grow over the next three years for several reasons: limited room supply, growing demand, better infrastructure. The demand-supply gap is a positive aspect, but could also cause issues if not carefully dealt with.

Factors Driving Growth in India’s Hotel Industry – India Report

Startups

August Had 3 of the Year’s Biggest Startup Fundraises – Then a Slowdown

Travel startup funding in August started with a bang and ended with a whisper.

August Had 3 of the Year’s Biggest Startup Fundraises – Then a Slowdown

Tourism

Visa’s Digital Payments Data Reveals Asian Travel Trends 

Grasping the shift to digital payments in Asia would be a game-changer for the travel industry. Cashless is the future — think convenience and cool perks!

Visa’s Digital Payments Data Reveals Asian Travel Trends