Travel

Skift Take Authorities in the United Arab Emirates are tight-lipped about the country’s plans for its emerging gambling industry, but gaming could be lucrative, a topic we discuss in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Rashaad Jorden Gambling has long been taboo in the United Arab Emirates, but officials in the country are quietly

Skift Take Maldives’ decision to introduce RuPay cards in the country in partnership with India may or may not lead to an uptick in Indian tourists. But it could boost its tourism earnings. Bulbul Dhawan Maldives is now supporting payments through cards running on RuPay, India’s card payment network. The decision was announced this week

Skift Take Travelers are increasingly looking to partake in culinary experiences on the road. Rashaad Jorden A growing number of travel brands are finding a good way to reach travelers — and generate revenue — is through their stomachs. So what are key trends in food tourism? We asked our recently upgraded answer engine Ask Skift

Skift Take Global tourism is bouncing back big in 2024, but staying ahead means thinking smart and staying agile. In Asia-Pacific, that means handling the surge in visitors while keeping it sustainable, nailing targeted marketing, and leveling out those seasonal travel waves. Peden Doma Bhutia The global tourism industry is bouncing back in 2024. International

Skift Take Nearly all flights out of Orlando, Tampa and Sarasota were canceled as airports in the area closed due to Hurricane Milton. Meghna Maharishi Airlines said they have capped airfares as they face accusations of price gouging before Hurricane Milton hits the Gulf Coast south of Tampa. Amid evacuation calls, some Florida residents shared

Skift Take As excitement builds in the lead up to Skift Global Forum East, we take a look at the current speaker lineup and the topics they will cover, which includes top industry leaders from Etihad Aviation Group, Booking.com, Airbnb, Hilton Middle East & Africa, Emaar Hospitality Group and more. Adam Stacey This November 19-20,

From mammoth aircraft orders to innovations in passenger experience, the Middle East is playing a key role in reshaping the global aviation landscape. So when airline leaders from the region speak out, it’s usually worth paying attention. At the Routes World 2024 conference – where airlines, airports, and tourism agencies gather to define the future

Skift Take Thailand’s move to blend AI with spiritual tourism isn’t just a clever marketing tactic, it’s about reshaping what travel means in a digital world. The real question is, will other destinations jump on this trend, or will Thailand’s unique mix of ancient beliefs and modern tech stay one-of-a-kind? Peden Doma Bhutia Tourism Authority

Skift Take The global travel industry continues to thrive, with Asia Pacific and North America leading the charge. Saniya Zanpure Despite looming recession fears, the travel industry continues to demonstrate strong growth, according to the Skift Travel Health Index for August 2024. The index showed a 9% increase from a year ago, led by the

Skift Take China’s new visa-free program shows just how eager it is to bring back tourists. It’s already drawing in new visitors, but reaching pre-pandemic numbers is still a challenge. The real question is: can they keep travelers coming back? These relaxed visa rules are a great start, but turning them into long-term success will

The first rule of casinos in the UAE: You do not talk about casinos in the UAE. In a nation where alcohol is tightly regulated and public swearing is a punishable offense, gambling remains a cultural and legal taboo, forbidden for its local citizens. Yet, beneath the surface, the architecture of a multi-billion-dollar gaming industry

Joby Aviation just closed the largest single round of funding for a flying taxi startup in years. The $500 million came from Toyota, which is among multiple major transport companies that want to see flying taxis — essentially modern helicopters — as part of everyday commercial travel. Among others, Archer Aviation has raised hundreds of

Skift Take Even though their ballot measure has been defeated, some Juneau locals sent a message to city and industry leadership more needs to be done to address overtourism. Dawit Habtemariam The final vote isn’t in yet, but it looks like large cruise ships will continue to be allowed to dock on Saturdays in Alaska’s

Skift Take The gaming authority had previously issued only one license since its creation in 2023 – to a national lottery company in Abu Dhabi. Josh Corder Wynn Resorts said Friday it had received the first casino license in the UAE from the country’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The release from Wynn Resorts

It’s been almost a year since the war between Israel and Hamas began, and it’s been spreading wider. For outsiders looking in, it can appear like the whole region is in meltdown, and that travel would have ground to a halt. In reality, tourism performance varies wildly across the region, with places like Dubai still

Skift Take Just months ago, Spirit CEO Ted Christie said the budget carrier was not considering a chapter 11 bankruptcy. Meghna Maharishi Spirit Airlines has been in talks with bondholders over the terms of a potential bankruptcy filing, according to a Wall Street Journal report.  According to the report, Spirit had been exploring ways to

Skift Take Consumers are increasingly interested in experiences. Three executives discuss how they think about the sector and how to attract new customers. Rashaad Jorden The experiences sector has seen a boom in recent years as travelers are choosing to spend more money on experiences than possessions.  Skift Research’s Venture Investment Trends in Travel 2024 report revealed

Skift Take With Indian arrivals to the U.S. on the rise, Louisiana is pulling out all the stops to win over these tourists. Think Cajun-meets-Asian vibes. Now, that’s a mashup! Peden Doma Bhutia For a U.S. state with just over 4.5 million people, Louisiana punches above its weight when it comes to tourism. In 2023,