Five Key Topic Areas We’ll Discuss at Skift Global Forum

“Experiences” are becoming a growth engine for the travel sector. An expanding segment of travelers are demanding immersive, cultural interactions at destinations as an alternative to checklist visits of famous sights.

Local Dubai hotel group FIVE reported financial results Monday that show the company has continued to benefit from the emirate’s robust tourism sector, but also that it will need to look elsewhere for growth.

The travel booking landscape is rapidly transforming, with direct bookings on the rise and reshaping the competition. What’s driving this shift? Skift Research explores these pivotal changes in our new report: “Direct Bookings vs. OTAs: Analyzing the Shift in U.S. Travel Booking Trends.”

The Skift Travel Health Index has continued to trend upward: The latest reading of 104 indicates 4% growth over July 2023. Countries in the Asia Pacific dominate and China showed the biggest jump – 21% above a year ago.

At first glance, it might seem like just another music video. But Seoul’s latest promotional clip released on Thursday, featuring K-pop superstar Jin from the popular band BTS is part of a series designed to showcase the Korean capital’s tourism potential.

Skift Global Forum kicks off on September 17th with an opening reception at The Glasshouse (660 12th Ave at 48th Street) in New York City, running from 6-9 pm ET. This special evening will include insightful fireside chats with top executives from the travel industry, followed by an exciting reception.

“An unexplored territory….Untouched. Uncharted.” That’s the message in Saudi Arabia’s new global tourism campaign to attract overseas travelers to the kingdom.

Once rather unknown to travelers, the Urla district in Turkey’s seaside Izmir province has recently been propelled into the limelight. That's thanks to a string of newly minted Michelin-starred restaurants (three with the famed stars, and three with sustainability recognition)—and trail of inventive and boutique wine producers called the Urla Wine Route. The area is a year-round reprieve that has managed to preserve and capitalize on its natural beauty; olive groves, fruit orchards, and vineyards here have become ground zero for the reinvention of modern Aegean cuisine and wine, inspired and sustained by the region’s fruitful lands. Today, Urla beckons with culinary delights, cultural treasures, and design-first hotels—here's how to experience the new nucleus of Turkey's fine-dining scene.

As Skift Global Forum East approaches, we are excited to announce the two venues that will play host to this year’s gathering of travel executives, provided by our Official Venue Partner, Address Hotels and Resorts.

Two esteemed properties have recently joined the ranks of AAA’s Five Diamond award winners, the highest honor in the AAA Diamond Program. Montage Healdsburg, located in the heart of northern California’s wine country, and Cocina de Autor in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, have snagged the top-tier designation thanks to their high-end gourmet cuisine, exceptional service and luxurious milieus. 

Travel research and events leader Phocuswright has released its Global Travel Market Report 2024, revealing an impressive 24 percent surge in 2023, with gross bookings reaching $1.5 trillion.

AmaWaterways is launching a new “Sell Five, Sail Free” promotion for travel advisors.