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Connectivity has become a foundational layer of the travel experience. As the smartphone becomes the control point for travel, reliable connection is becoming less about convenience and more about trust.

AI is rapidly becoming the new front door for hotel discovery, but most properties remain invisible in AI-generated recommendations. As travelers increasingly use AI early in trip planning, hotels must rethink commercial strategies, break down internal silos, and optimize for AI visibility or risk losing future demand.

The Skift Data and AI Summit returns to New York City on June 3, 2026, bringing together travel industry leaders, technology innovators, and data experts to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the business of travel.

AI is accelerating a fundamental rebuild of travel technology, pushing companies to rethink the data, infrastructure, and operating models required to compete in a world shaped by real-time intelligence, interoperability, and autonomous experiences.

The asset-light model has been good for operators and their shareholders. The pressure it creates for the owners who carry the assets is only now being openly discussed — and the operators best placed to respond are the ones who have stood on both sides of that equation.

A new report from Skift Research and Skift Advisory assesses how Caribbean destinations are navigating an exciting yet uncertain future, offering a framework for travel leaders to gain a competitive advantage in this dynamic and growing region.

Alaska’s reputation as a bucket list cruise destination rests largely on its wildlife encounters, especially whale sightings. MSC Cruises is treating its first season in the region as a research opportunity, exploring how marine science can guide operations in high-density wildlife corridors.

Airlines may be underestimating payments. As distribution grows more complex, payment infrastructure is becoming a bottleneck that shapes growth, partnerships, and the ability to deliver modern retail experiences.

RARE India's partnership with SAMHI Hotels is a measured bet on a familiar problem: how to build commercial infrastructure around a product that derives its value from resisting it. The opportunity lies in scaling access while preserving the experience — without standardizing it.

Generative AI platforms now shape travel shortlists at the inspiration stage. With 94% of hotels invisible in AI search results, only a narrow set makes it into consideration. Brands not present in the media sources informing these tools risk being filtered out before booking even begins.

As travelers prioritize seamless, end-to-end journeys, Capital One is moving beyond booking to build a fully integrated travel ecosystem, reshaping how brands reach and engage customers along the way.

In this video from Skift Asia Forum 2026, Andrew Langdon, chief development officer at Accor, explains how generational shifts and rising competition are accelerating hotel brand conversions across Asia, with mid-scale and economy properties driving most of the growth.