Skift Take San Francisco has experienced a rocky rebound since the pandemic, but promises of pandas and planes may uplift the city’s tourism. Elizabeth Casolo San Francisco is gearing up to greet more visitors from China, starting with a pair of pandas. Mayor London Breed returned from China over the weekend, bringing news of how China intends to send pandas to … [Read more...]
Klook Plans Partnership with Thailand as the Country Skyrockets in Popularity
Skift Take Thailand remains a strong destination post Covid. Tour operators are flocking to the country and playing a significant role in how travel evolves. Jesse Chase-Lubitz Klook, a leading platform for travel experiences in Asia, signed a letter of intent with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to boost experiences in the country. The company is hoping to double … [Read more...]
Elevating Hospitality Through Innovative Design
Skift Take In the first dispatch of the Skift Travel Spotlight podcast from ITB Berlin, Skift speaks with Boutique Group about the role innovative design plays in developing Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector. Saudi Tourism Authority This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. As more travelers seek authentic experiences, destinations … [Read more...]
China’s Golden Week Holiday: What’s Driving Outbound Travel
Skift Take Understanding what Chinese travelers want is crucial for stakeholders in the tourism industry to tailor offerings and experiences that match these changing preferences. Peden Doma Bhutia Destinations in the Middle East are emerging as favorites for China’s upcoming May Day holiday, commonly known as Golden Week. Overall outbound travel from China during … [Read more...]
Atlanta’s Michelin Guide Deal Translates to Tourism Dollars
Skift Take Today's podcast looks at Atlanta's Michelin deal, JetBlue's quarterly earnings, and how Amadeus uses AI. Rashaad Jorden Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, April 24. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today. Listen Now 🎧 Subscribe Apple … [Read more...]
Atlanta Tourism Chief Talks World Cup, $1 Million Deal With Michelin Guide
FIFA World Cup fans are going to need a home base as they follow their favorite teams across North America in 2026. A top contender is Atlanta, said Discover Atlanta CEO and President William Pate, who sits on the city’s hosting committee. “Fans could end up staying in Atlanta, but traveling to different cities for other games,” said Pate. Pate spoke with Skift about why Atlanta could be the … [Read more...]
Q&A: Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Leap Forward in Global Accessibility
Skift Take Abu Dhabi is strengthening its global tourism profile with major infrastructure leaps, including a new airport terminal set to improve connectivity and visitor experiences in line with its expansive tourism vision. Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. Abu Dhabi is doubling down … [Read more...]
New Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Visitors: Key Questions Answered
Skift Take Destinations value Indian travelers, but lengthy visa processing times lasting months act as significant deterrents. The adoption of these new regulations by European authorities reflects a proactive effort to tackle these concerns, aiming to boost tourism flow. Peden Doma Bhutia The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for … [Read more...]
The Great Barrier Reef’s Mass Bleaching Disaster: Can Ecotourism Help?
Skift Take The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing its fifth coral bleaching event in eight years. Surprisingly, tour operators are crucial in providing the research the government needs to save the treasure. Jesse Chase-Lubitz The Great Barrier Reef is in the midst of its worst mass bleaching event on record — a process in which warmer-than-usual water causes corals … [Read more...]
Inside Chicago’s New Neighborhood Travel Show
Skift Take “The 77” video campaign is one way Choose Chicago is encouraging inclusive community tourism. And it’s a tasty one. Elizabeth Casolo Chicago is home to many iconic local eateries. At La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant, you can choose from up to 14 kinds of chilaquiles. At Old Fashioned Donuts, you can order fresh donuts from a man with over 50 years of … [Read more...]
How Indians Are Traveling Now: Takeaways From MakeMyTrip’s First Trend Report
Skift Take MakeMyTrip shares insights into changing preferences of Indian travelers as the Indian tourism industry is poised for significant growth in 2024. Bulbul Dhawan Indian travelers have an increased interest in weekend getaways and spiritual tourism, according to online travel agency MakeMyTrip’s first-ever travel trends report. Searches for destinations with … [Read more...]
Thousands of Canary Islands Residents Protest ‘Overtourism’
Skift Take Thousands of fed-up residents took to the streets of Tenerife. Activists want a new tourism model that puts locals first. But businesses seek sustained growth from a tourism sector that drives about a third of the local economy. Sean O'Neill Thousands took part in a Saturday protest against tourism growth in Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary … [Read more...]
Solar Eclipse Boosted U.S. Hotels With Record Revenue Gains
Skift Take The eclipse brought historic tourism revenue to hotels. But not all local businesses felt the same impact. Dawit Habtemariam Hotels in cities in the path of the total solar eclipse on April 8 saw record revenue increases, according to a new analysis published by CoStar’s STR. The night before the eclipse, U.S. hotel markets in the path of totality saw a … [Read more...]
Nevada Says Ditch the Dice, Come for the Outdoors
Skift Take Nevada wants people to know that it has more than casinos and entertainment attractions like The Sphere. The state is investing in tourism that supports its local communities outside of Las Vegas. Jesse Chase-Lubitz Nevada has set its sights on a different kind of tourism. Rather than tout the famous casinos of Las Vegas, the state’s tourism division, … [Read more...]
Skift Travel Podcast – Now With Seth and Sarah
The Skift Travel Podcast has brought listeners industry-defining news and reporting, as well as featured interviews that have highlighted critical issues in the business of travel. We’ll continue to do so while making our Skift Travel Podcast even better with our full-time hosts, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko. Here’s a look at what you can expect. Listen Now … [Read more...]
Ask Skift: What Are the Top Travel Trends in China?
Skift Take As China continues its recovery from the pandemic, we look at trends shaping the country's travel industry. Rashaad Jorden China, the world’s largest outbound tourism market prior to the pandemic, is expected to continue making substantial progress in its recovery this year. So what are top travel trends in China? We put the question to our artificial … [Read more...]
How Thailand Hopes to Meet Its Goal For 1.7 Million Indian Tourists
Skift Take India is one of the most important source markets for Thailand. Pre-Covid, nearly 2 million Indian tourists flocked to Thailand, making India the third-largest source market in 2019. Now, Thailand is looking to bring India back to pre-Covid levels. Bulbul Dhawan The Tourism Authority of Thailand on Thursday hosted a group of more than 8,000 incentive … [Read more...]
Amsterdam Blocks New Hotels to Fight Mass Tourism
Skift Take Amsterdam, one of the world's most popular destinations, has capped its hotel supply to put a ceiling on mass tourism. Dawit Habtemariam Amsterdam has banned new hotel developments to combat mass tourism, the municipal government announced Wednesday. “Amsterdam will no longer be issuing permits for new hotels, except for a ‘new-for-old arrangement’ in … [Read more...]
Dubai’s New Man-Made Island Promises Eco-Resorts and Wellness Facilities
Skift Take A man-made island off the shore of Dubai promising to be environmental? Let's see. Josh Corder A man-made island four times the size of Manhattan’s Central Park may not sound very “eco,” but the Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai is promising to house an “eco-resort,” a wellness resort, and a wellness club and various other facilities. According to new plans … [Read more...]
Marriott Releases Lawrence of Arabia-Inspired Promo Campaign in Saudi
Skift Take Nujuma opens next month as one of the most expensive hotels in Saudi Arabia. Josh Corder Marriott International has dressed one of its top general managers as Lawrence of Arabia to promote its new resort along the Red Sea. Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is expected to be the most expensive hotel ever operated in Saudi Arabia – commanding rates of more than … [Read more...]