AI Agents on the Mind

Every CEO on the Skift Global Forum stage had the same thing on their mind: AI agents. What they didn't have was agreement. Brian Chesky put a 2027 date on Airbnb's agent, Booking's CEO said building one isn't the hard part, and Expedia's Ariane Gorin is betting that no single bot ends up owning the whole trip. Amadeus and Spotnana added the part nobody wants to hear: the plumbing is getting more expensive, and no one has settled who pays for it.

Meanwhile, Hilton is promising owners better margins, Wyndham is chasing Gen Z with backstage passes, and Prince Harry told the industry to stop forgetting about the places it sells.

Skift Global Forum - Livestream

The final day is where two days of pressure-testing AI, geopolitics, and shifting demand resolve into verdicts.

The CEOs of Hyatt, Virgin Atlantic, Carnival Cruise Line, and Lindblad Expeditions close the Forum today, and Rafat Ali delivers Skift's read across all three sessions. Watch the final day live, or catch up on days one and two on demand. Annual subscribers stream it free.

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Headlines

Brian Chesky Commits to Launching an AI Agent in 2027

by Adriana Lee
September 24, 2026

Airbnb has talked for years about becoming an AI concierge. Now Brian Chesky has put a 2027 date on it — and he says the interface won’t look like a typical chatbot.

Prince Harry Calls on Travel Industry to Put Destinations First

by Tasmin Lockwood
September 23, 2026

The Duke of Sussex and founder of Travalyst wants the travel industry to prioritize the health and value of the people and places it sells — because business success relies on the longevity of those destinations.

Expedia Bets Against the All-Powerful AI Travel Agent

by Adriana Lee
September 23, 2026

Expedia wants a seat inside the new wave of AI agents, including Meta's Muse. But CEO Ariane Gorin is betting on a messier future for travel: multiple entry points and specialized agents, not one bot that owns the whole trip.

Wyndham CEO Says Gen Z Now Makes Up Nearly 10% of Membership Base

by Luke Martin
September 23, 2026

Wyndham’s loyalty membership is getting younger fast. Now it’s setting up more concert packages and backstage passes to keep them.

Hilton CEO Sees More Room to Improve Owner Margins

by Luke Martin
September 23, 2026

Hilton is promising owners real margin gains after what its own CEO calls an 'abnormal' decade.

Agentic AI Is Raising Travel’s Tech Bill

by Adriana Lee
September 24, 2026

Amadeus and Spotnana agree the plumbing for AI-powered travel costs more now. The industry still hasn’t settled who pays — or who captures the value.

The Booking Isn’t the Finish Line: What IHG, Priceline, and McKinsey Say Brands Are Missing

by Rashaad Jorden
September 23, 2026

Travel brands have mastered getting consumers to click "book." Few have figured out what to say once travelers start second-guessing that click.

Booking CEO: Building the AI Travel Agent Isn’t the Hard Part

by Adriana Lee
September 23, 2026

Booking Holdings has to navigate pressure from AI upstarts, competition from Airbnb, and antitrust-minded courts, all while running five AI bets at once.

Listen

Whichever AI agents win, Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta wants guests to be able to book through them easily. He told Skift Global Forum that how guests reach Hilton matters, but the company can never lose sight of its core business: delivering the stay.

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