Looking Back at the 2023 Skift IDEA Awards Alumni

26.05.2024 - 13:27 / skift.com / Adam Stacey

As we enter the final stages of the submission window for the sixth edition of Skift IDEA Awards – which since its inception in 2019 has celebrated over 80 winners – our recognition of the most forward-thinking brands and businesses across the travel industry has never been more coveted. 

From 103 shortlisted submissions, 18 winners were selected by our independent judging panel thanks to their forward-thinking and purpose-driven projects, made up of a diverse range of initiatives promoting significant causes and innovative solutions aimed at making travel more seamless, sustainable and creative.

Ahead of the final deadline, which is set for June 13, we are taking a moment to reflect on the incredible stories of our 2023 honorees and hearing the impact winning a Skift IDEA Award can have.

As we look ahead to the 2024 winners, who will be celebrated on-stage at Skift Global Forum in September, let’s take a look at the individuals, brands and companies that took home a win in 2023.

INDUSTRY INNOVATORS
Category: Hotels

Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, is set in an off-the-beaten-track, untouched part of northern Ubud. Developed thoughtfully over decades and developed through the pandemic, this brand extension symbolizes Banyan Tree brand’s vision and commitment to creating immersive experiences combining deep nature and sustainable design.

Pioneering a “no walls, no doors” concept throughout the property and in each of its 16 balés (villas), the experience concept is an invitation into a different way of being, aligned to the natural rhythms of the living world.

“With this hotel, we did something that is not the typical way of doing things…,” said Dharmali Kusumadi, SVP, Design & Business Development at Banyan Group.

“Hopefully with this award we can give inspiration to all designers and the hospitality industry that we can do something out of the box.”

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INDUSTRY INNOVATORS
Category: Short Term Rentals

Over the last 3 years, Plum Guide has journeyed from Human Curation to Curation AI – developing a vetting model that has been taught to deliver quality and curation at speed – eliminating bad homes and identifying what remarkable looks like in seconds, ensuring only the very best short term rental homes make it onto the platform.

The Plum Guide standards had been set by in Home Experts – a 90 page bible. From the design aesthetic to the WIFI speed, the essential criteria for a home to be accepted onto the platform. The Plum Guide team has taught the AI ‘machine’ these standards over time and what makes a Plum home. Today, their Creative AI and Creative Director have a 91% match rate.

“Winning this award means a lot to us,” Said Doron Meyassed, Co-Founder and CEO at Plum Guide.

“I can definitely