Latest news with #SethBorko
Skift
13-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Tripadvisor Is Turning 25. Here's What Its CEO Says About Its Future
Tripadvisor has come a long way in 25 years, but CEO Matt Goldberg did a lot more than just reflect on the past in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More Tripadvisor is turning 25, and CEO Matt Goldberg joined Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko to discuss the company's evolution in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Goldberg also offered his insights on the competitive landscape he sees, the role of AI in enhancing user experience, the importance of consumer trust in the travel industry, and more. Listen Now Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Five Key Points Focus on Experiences as a Growth Driver: Viator, Tripadvisor's platform for booking local experiences, has become the 'strategic and financial center' of the company. Experiences now outpace hotels as the company's primary area of expansion. Resilience of Travel Demand and Shift in Traveler Behavior: Despite economic uncertainty, travelers continue to prioritize experiences, showing strong discretionary spending resilience. Goldberg emphasizes a shift to more local, drive-to, and second-tier destinations (e.g., Lake George, the Adirondacks), which not only meets evolving traveler interests but also supports sustainability by dispersing tourism beyond major hotspots. Airbnb's Entry Validates the Market, Not a Threat: Goldberg said he isn't concerned about Airbnb's relaunched experiences product, adding that multiple players can thrive in the sector. Viator's Advantage: Focused Marketplace + Strategic Partnerships: Viator benefits from its exclusive focus on experiences, deep supply penetration, and partnerships with major travel brands like Expedia, Amazon, and thousands of travel agents. These partnerships bring in incremental customers without high marketing costs, helping Viator scale profitably and globally. AI is a Game-Changer for TripAdvisor and Viator: Tripadvisor is integrating AI across all its brands, using it for trip planning, review summarization, product listings, recommendations, and B2B tools. Goldberg says AI is seen as a foundational, transformative force that will optimize operations, enhance customer experience, and reshape the business model. Episode Summary Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg reflected on the company's journey from its humble beginnings during his chat with Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko. Goldberg explained how Tripadvisor was able to solve the challenge of finding trustworthy travel information, which sparked a revolution in democratizing travel advice. Goldberg outlined how Tripadvisor has been able to build experiences marketplaces through brands like Viator and The Fork. He also expressed admiration for Airbnb for relaunching its experiences product. However, he said his company, with its deep category focus on experiences through Viator and Tripadvisor, is better positioned than horizontal platforms like Airbnb to thrive in the sector. Goldberg also talked about what he calls a culture of experimentation and agility within Tripadvisor, likening the current moment to a startup era driven by a renewed sense of purpose and innovation.
Skift
06-06-2025
- Skift
The New Era of Solo Women Travelers
Solo women travelers above 50 are a booming demographic, but there are several misconceptions about the group, which we examine in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More This week's episode of The Skift Travel Podcast examined the surge in solo women travelers over the age of 50. JourneyWoman CEO Carolyn Ray and Intrepid Travel's Leigh Barnes discussed how travel is becoming a means of self-discovery for older women and the challenges of marketing to this demographic, among other topics, with Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko. Listen Now Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Five Key Points Solo Travel for Women Over 50 Is Now Mainstream: What was once considered niche has become mainstream. Travel companies are now actively recognizing the value and demand of older solo female travelers. Intrepid Travel, for example, has seen women over 50 become one of their fastest-growing customer segments. Factors Driving Travel Choices: 'Solo' isn't just about traveling alone — it's about making independent, empowered decisions. Women in this demographic often prioritize safety, cultural immersion, and meaningful experiences over luxury or traditional vacation formats. Travel Goals: Older women are moving away from the 'bucket list' mentality and toward travel experiences that foster personal growth, humility, gratitude, and cultural understanding. This demographic values meaningful and transformative journeys over tourist checklists. Challenges Facing Solo Women Travelers: A major barrier is the 'single supplement' fee that penalizes solo travelers for not sharing a room. Research shows 78% of women view this cost as a deterrent, and many prefer privacy over being assigned roommates. Companies need to rethink this model to better support solo female travelers. Myths About Older Travelers and Spending: The stereotype that older women always seek discounts is outdated. In reality, travelers aged 65–74 are among the most affluent and willing to spend on high-quality, meaningful travel. They may be frugal in other areas but prioritize spending on unique travel experiences. Episode Summary Kopit, Borko, Barnes, and Ray discussed how solo women travelers above 50, once largely ignored by the travel industry, are becoming more visible. Ray said a recent study published by JourneyWoman revealed a significant decrease in members of that group feeling undervalued by travel companies — from 70% to 34% in just two years. The four of them noted that marketing and authentic storytelling are crucial to reaching this audience, who rely more on word of mouth than traditional advertising. Despite their influence and spending power, older women remain underrepresented in travel marketing due to ageism and outdated perceptions. However, societal shifts such as increased longevity, better health, and rising passport ownership are driving this demographic to travel more than ever. The conversation also explored whether modern wellness trends, like weight-loss drugs, could further empower older women to pursue more ambitious travel experiences.
Skift
30-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
What's Next for Short-Term Rentals: Regulations, Airbnb, AI
The evolution of the short-term industry shows no signs of slowing down, and we examine how trends in travel and tech will impact the sector. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast featured a discussion with Vered Raviv Schwarz, president and chief operating officer of Guesty, a property management platform for the short-term rental industry. Raviv Schwarz, Head of Research Seth Borko, and Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit delved into the current state of short-term rentals, the role of technology in the sector, and the impact of Airbnb's relaunched experiences, among other topics. Listen Now Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Five Key Points Market Trends Favoring Short-Term Rentals: The rise of blended travel, digital nomadism, and extended stays have favored the short-term rental sector. Travel Tech and Short-Term Rentals: Raviv Schwarz says investors remain bullish on travel technology, recognizing it as ripe for innovation and disruption, especially compared to more legacy sectors like airlines and hotels. The short-term rental segment, being younger and more tech-forward, is seen as a gateway to broader transformation in hospitality tech. Regulation Is Inevitable but Not Necessarily Harmful: While regulation of short-term rentals is growing globally, Raviv Schwarz views it as an opportunity for greater professionalism, consistency, and guest satisfaction. The key, she says, is education and advocacy by host communities to shape favorable policies that recognize their economic contributions. AI Is Transforming Hospitality Operations: AI adoption among Guesty customers has risen from 40% to 70% in a year. AI is being used for guest communication, dynamic pricing, and review analysis, helping hosts provide faster, more intelligent, and personalized service—bridging the gap between tech efficiency and human touch. The Hospitality Landscape is Diversifying: Raviv Schwarz emphasized that there's room for both hotels and short-term rentals, as travelers seek different experiences for different occasions. The industry isn't shifting to one dominant model but rather expanding to accommodate a range of preferences, from standardized hotel stays to unique, personal short-term rentals. Episode Summary Borko, Kopit, and Raviv Schwarz discussed Guesty's global scale, its offerings for both small and large rental operators, and its role in managing operations for hundreds of thousands of properties in over 80 countries. Guesty has surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue, backed by prominent investors like KKR and Innovia. The three also touched on short-term rentals in depth, questioning whether they still count as 'alternative accommodations' given their mainstream growth. Raviv Schwarz said she's seen a continued blurring of the lines between short-term rentals and hotels, predicting that in five to 10 years, those accommodations may become indistinguishable. Despite economic uncertainty, the global short-term rental market remains stable with slight growth, especially in drive-to destinations and affordable stays. And Airbnb's recent push into experiences is seen as a major industry move that could enhance the appeal of short-term rentals.
Skift
23-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Rewiring Hotel Tech for Humans
Mews founder Richard Valtr argues hospitality needs to embrace technology more, a point he made during this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast featured a discussion with Richard Valtr, founder of cloud-PMS provider Mews, which took place during the Mews Unfold conference in Amsterdam. Valtr talked with Head of Research Seth Borko about the company's vision and why hospitality undervalues technology. Listen Now Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Five Key Points Hotel Tech Is Burdened by Legacy Systems: Valtr explains that many of the entrenched problems in hotel tech stem from the early adoption of digital systems that were ahead of their time. These legacy systems, like those used in airlines (e.g., Sabre), became rigid and unable to adapt to modern needs. Mews aims to address these limitations by building more flexible and intuitive systems designed with hoteliers in mind. Industry Standardization Needs to Evolve: While hotel brands have historically emphasized standardization to scale globally and ensure consistency, Valtr argues that today's technology enables personalization and richer guest experiences. Mews seeks to elevate industry norms by leveraging modern tools—like AI and automation—to recapture the personal touch once common in hospitality. Modernizing Hospitality Employment and Operations: The industry needs to rethink traditional hospitality roles and working conditions — like long front desk shifts — and introduce more flexibility and automation in back-end operations. Leveraging automation can help reduce unnecessary labor while improving both employee well-being and operational efficiency. Industry Resistance to Tech is Cultural, Not Logical: A persistent challenge in hospitality is a cultural reluctance to embrace technology, particularly among older leadership. The next generation of hoteliers is expected to drive more tech-forward, guest-centric operations by seeing tech as an enabler, not an obstacle. The Future: Interoperability, Empathy, and AI: Technologies like computer vision and data-sharing (e.g., from platforms like Uber) can create truly personalized, seamless guest experiences. Mews envisions a future where tech augments human empathy—identifying guest moods or preferences on arrival—and blends invisible data flows into intuitive service that defines modern luxury. Episode Summary Borko and Valtr discussed the evolution of hotel technology. Valtr explained that the original vision behind Mews was to eliminate the impersonal and transactional nature of hotel check-ins by creating a more human-centric, tech-enabled guest experience. Although Mews has grown into a Property Management System (PMS) that acts as a hotel's central nervous system, integrating booking, guest data, and operations, Valtr emphasized that Mews is more than a PMS. It's evolved into a guest management and profitability optimization platform. Valtr also said that while standardization helped the hotel industry scale efficiently — enabling tasks like cleaning 100 rooms quickly — it should now serve as a foundation, not the goal. With modern technology, it's possible to return to a more personalized, 17th-century-style guest experience, once impossible due to technological limitations.
Skift
16-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Inside Palantir's Opinionated Approach to Travel Tech
Palantir's Breno Helfstein Moura has no shortage of thoughts about what travel brands really need, which he discussed in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast features a discussion with Breno Helfstein Moura, the head of hospitality at Palantir. Moura addressed a wide variety of topics with Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko, including how the company leverages data to solve complex problems in travel. Listen Now Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Five Key Points Off-the-Shelf AI Solutions Are a Myth: Buying a plug-and-play AI solution is often a fantasy, and true transformation requires custom integration and an understanding of the unique challenges each business faces. Even standardized systems like PMS or ERP transitions often end up as costly, multi-year projects. Operational AI Trends Are Driving ROI: Key AI trends Palantir sees across industries — especially in travel and hospitality — include procurement and supply chain optimization, revenue and rate management, and targeted marketing. AI is a Mirror — and a Force Multiplier: AI doesn't replace humans — it enhances them. Like chess grandmasters paired with AI outperforming AI alone, people with AI tools perform at their best. But AI can also reflect the flaws in a company's culture or data. If the organization is confused or misaligned, the AI will be too. Travel Tech Can Skip the Legacy Journey: The travel industry often assumes it must progress through slow technology such as clunky interfaces and fragmented tech before adopting advanced solutions like AI. Palantir argues that travel companies can leapfrog outdated steps and go straight to modern, integrated platforms. AI Use Cases Are Already Transforming Travel: Revenue management and loyalty optimization are among the viable AI use cases already active in travel. Episode Summary Palanatir's Breno Helfstein Moura discussed the company's growing role in the travel industry with Kopit and Borko. Known primarily as a defense contractor, Palantir is expanding into commercial sectors, including travel, where it has leveraged its expertise in data integration and AI. While some may view Palantir as a consulting firm, Moura emphasizes that it's fundamentally a software company delivering tailored tech solutions. He also warned of AI's potential risks, stressing the need for safeguards around data access, especially in sensitive industries like hospitality, to ensure responsible and ethical use. Moura added he sees strong return on investment opportunities in both revenue generation and cost reduction. Finally, he said he views the industry's vast amount of underused, unstructured data as a goldmine for improvement.
