Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to Speak at Skift Global Forum This September

Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, September 13. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Artificial intelligence has been a major discussion in travel over the last year, and that’s why the theme of the Skift Global Forum is Connection in the Age of AI.

The much-anticipated opening reception for Skift Global Forum, presented by Turkish Airlines, is just around the corner, and the excitement is palpable. On September 26, from 6 to 8 P.M., industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts will gather at the North Javits Center for an evening of networking, knowledge-sharing, and inspiration while enjoying delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres. 

Skift is gathering travel leaders from across the globe in Dubai this December to look at the larger context of travel in the Middle East and what lies ahead for this important region. We’re putting the latest trends and strategies for lodging, destinations, online travel, and consumers under a microscope with some of the best and brightest minds in the industry. 

Join us online on Tuesday, January 10 at 2:00 p.m. ET as Skift presents its most popular event, Megatrends, welcoming over 1,000 attendees tuning in globally through our online conference platform.

We are officially one week out for the first-ever in-person Skift Global Forum East, where travel leaders from across the region will be gathering at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre in Dubai on December 13-15.

Dubai will play an outsized role in the United Arab Emirates aim to attract 40 million visitors annually by 2031, so what can it do to improve its tourism industry? Four panelists — Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths, Kerzner International CEO Philippe Zuber, Emirates Airline Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim, and Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing CEO Issam Kazim — discussed at the recent Skift Global Forum East in Dubai what local tourism officials need to do to continue to attract visitors.

Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta considers himself amazed at level of growth he’s seen in the Middle East’s hotel industry during his roughly 40-year career. Nassetta described the commitment officials in the region have made to travel and tourism as extraordinary during his appearance at the recent Skift Global Forum East in Dubai, adding he views Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as markets for significant growth.

After renting out some 50,000 electric cars to Uber drivers across North America, Hertz is now taking its partnership with the ride hailing giant to Europe, where it will make 25,000 Tesla and Polestar vehicles available.

Last year, Skift debuted our first-ever Skift Future of Lodging Forum in New York City – focused on what Skift has called “The Great Merging” of how we live, work, and travel. 

We have already kicked off 2023 with our most popular event, Megatrends, in New York City, London and online January 10 and 11 for its tenth year. Take a look back at Megatrends here. 

Uber and Lyft are focusing on their loyalty programs, with new partnerships designed to keep members ordering cars, meals and groceries for longer periods of time.