Skift Advisory

Welcome to Skift’s 2025 Megatrends, which tell us that the travel industry, like everything else, is moving at a frenetic pace. In 2025, global politics, technology, and the very human need for connection will converge in a battle for customer dollars. Read on now: https://hubs.li/Q02_7BXK0

Western destinations need a full reset of cultural values that prioritizes human connection. That’s the only way to compete with regions where welcoming guests is a way of life. https://hubs.li/Q02ZW1Tz0

More than 80 companies are planning to attend Skift Global Forum East on November 19-20 in Dubai (with more joining every day). Discover who's on the list and make sure your company is part of this exciting event ➡️ https://hubs.li/Q02YrWt40

Recently, one of our partners asked us a tough but important question: Which destinations are effectively managing social challenges like people without homes and open drug use? After asking colleagues and conducting some research, it became clear that there aren’t many standout examples of cities that have fully tackled these issues alongside a thriving tourism industry. Cities face a difficult balancing act between promoting tourism and addressing visible social challenges that affect both visitors' experiences, and, more importantly, the well-being of its residents. While a few have made strides (e.g., Los Angeles’ “Everyone In” campaigns or certain European cities’ initiatives), there is no one-size-fits-all solution. This points to a need for innovative, integrated strategies that consider both social impact and tourism management. We’re considering conducting a benchmark study to dive deeper into this topic and explore how destinations can responsibly manage these complex challenges while maintaining a healthy tourism economy. If you or your organization are interested in learning more or contributing to this study, we'd love to collaborate. Feel free to connect or comment below. #tourismstrategy #destinationmanagement #socialimpact Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

Earlier this week, our Skift Advisory’s Oliver Martin joined Tourism Fiji at their 2024 Tourism Convention to share the most important tourism trends and insights that are impacting sustainable tourism and broader community development in Fiji, and around the world. Oliver’s session included a focus on investment attraction and the specific steps that destinations can take to improve their tourism investment climate including getting hyper-focused on tourism as a means to generate community wealth, strategic investment to support dispersion strategies and mitigate challenges of overtourism, and recasting seasonality due to the climate change imperative. Curious about what your destination can do to help attract the right kind of investment? Reach out to Oliver (om@skift.com) or Greg Klassen (gk@skift.com) to learn how Skift can support your destination build sustainable competitive advantage. Tourism Fiji Brent Hill Srishti Narayan Sonal Sharma Fiji Airways Andre Viljoen Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Market Development Facility (MDF)

Last week our Skift Advisory's Greg Klassen took the stage at #SkiftGlobalForum to talk about how tourism has lost control of its narrative. With the term "overtourism" making headlines all over the world, Greg talks about the need for our industry to manage the challenges of overtourism and earn back social license to operate.

What a show! The 2024 #SkiftGlobalForum did not disappoint – and we couldn’t have been happier to get to connect with partners who are leading the future of tourism around the world. A big thank you to our friends and partners for making and deepening connections with our Skift Advisory team! We love what we do and we’re so lucky to get to do it alongside such amazing clients! Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Tourism Fiji, Travel Alberta, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Turkish Airlines, Theo Yedinsky, Issam Kazim AirbnbIntrepid Travel, Trove Tourism Development Advisors, Tourism Kingston, Cathy Kirkpatrick, Qatar Tourism, Travelier, Amadeus, Mastercard Fresh Tracks Canada, Trip advisor, Global Hotel Alliance, Sojern, Minor Hotels, BMF Media, Raki Phillips, Srishti Narayan, Alisha Reynolds, Kelly Bowman, Cameron CDME, Julie Chambers Russell Reimer, MCS Enterprise Mobility Destinations International Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض Discover Puerto Rico Anthony Everett, ICD.D 4VI Group Brad Dean Brent Hill

As always, Rafat Ali leaves us all wanting more! As #SkiftGlobalForum 2024 is wrapping up, Rafat Ali sat down with Certares Management LLC founder and Senior Managing Director Greg O'Hara to talk about investing in travel’s new phase. For our Skift Advisory team, one of the key takeaways for our destination partners and clients was the idea that "the cheapest way to create a job is through travel and tourism". At a time when industries all over the world are struggling with labour issues, investment in the travel and tourism sector can lead the way to solution. What a way to wrap of the conference! We’re already looking forward to next year. It’s never too early to start planning for your next Skift Global Forum.