GOOD DAY, READERS.
Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali has blunt advice for travel startup founders: don't start a travel startup — start a startup inside a travel power struggle. Drawing on 14 years of building Skift and watching the industry closely, he offers 14 layers of advice across three parts: where power sits, the wedge you can own, and building the right company.
Ali also runs through his "Permission to Exist" framework — five questions about discoverability, accountability, brand preference, transaction ownership, and structural dependency that decide whether a company actually deserves its place in the industry. He adds that consumer travel businesses can still be built, but the old venture playbook of raising money to buy customers at scale no longer works.
Skift Data + AI Summit Europe
Every travel company now owns its AI capability or depends on whoever does, and that choice decides whether you set your own terms.
October 6 in London brings 250 senior travel operators, the data, product, and engineering leads making that build-versus-buy call inside airlines, hotels, and OTAs, into one room two months after the EU AI Act's high-risk rules take effect.
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SHEERID + SKIFT
A direct booking does not always create a direct relationship. See how verified identity can help airlines build more lasting loyalty.
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SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK
In this clip from Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down where the demand actually went, why New Jersey STR supply jumped 30%, and what 305,000 pedestrians in Times Square and Citi Bike's biggest month ever reveal about where the real World Cup economic impact landed.
PEOPLE MOVES
This week's people moves shaping the industry. Let us know about a move.
Sophie Dekkers has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at easyJet, succeeding David Morgan, who is retiring from the role to return to flying as an easyJet pilot.
Daniel Skjeldam, former CEO of Hurtigruten with commercial experience at Norwegian Air Shuttle, joins as Chief Commercial Officer on September 1.
Saadia Zahidi has been appointed IATA's ninth Director General, effective November 1, becoming the first woman to hold the role. She joins from the World Economic Forum, succeeding Willie Walsh, who is moving to lead IndiGo.
Eduardo Schutte has been appointed SVP, Commercial, Hyatt Inclusive Collection, bringing 30+ years of experience across Grupo Posadas, TravelClick, Hilton, and Amadeus to lead commercial strategy for the 150+ resort portfolio.
Mews has appointed Kirupa Pushparaj as Chief Legal Officer, bringing two decades of legal and engineering experience, including 8+ years of experience at Square (Block) through its IPO.
Pia Aaltonen-Forsell is leaving her role as Finnair's CFO to become CFO of Valmet, starting by January 2027.
Jussi Siitonen, currently CFO and Deputy CEO at Fiskars Group, succeeds her at Finnair effective November 1.
Nils-Arne Schroeder has been named Chief Operating Officer of Langham Hospitality Group, effective June 22, bringing 30+ years of experience across Raffles, Fairmont, and Hilton to lead operations for 30+ hotels and residences.
Kaila Pugliese Tobin has joined Auberge Collection as Vice President, Commercial Performance.
Emma Campbell has been named Chief Marketing Officer at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).
Nicolas Huss will step down as CEO of HBX Group (Hotelbeds) on 30 September after five years. CFO Brendan Brennan becomes interim CEO from October 1 while the board runs a permanent search.
TPG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Prashanth Radhakrishnan as EVP of Commercial Strategy, a newly created role, bringing 25+ years across Marriott, Starwood, and Taj Hotels.
Carl Shepherd has stepped down from Hostelworld's board as Senior Independent Director after nine years.
Tamara Pickett is leaving Virgin Group after 11.5 years to join Merlin Entertainments as its first Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs.
Jay Carney, who has led policy and communications at Airbnb since 2022, is departing.
David Spielfogel, most recently Chief Business Officer at Lime, becomes Global Head of Public Policy, with the policy and communications functions now split.
Katie Farrell has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer at The Doyle Collection, promoted after 11+ years as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Westbury, to lead commercial strategy across the group's eight-hotel portfolio.
Menzies Aviation's Philipp Joeinig will step down as Group CEO on July 31 after five years.
Hassan El-Houry becomes CEO, and Ehab Aziz becomes Non-Executive Chairman.
Prachi Priya has been named Managing Vice President, Enterprise AI & Analytics Products at Marriott International.
Bart Welch becomes President and Chief Commercial Officer at Cruisebound, joining former Rocket Travel colleagues after building PointsYeah.
Kiran Thadimarri has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation).
Skift Executive Search connects travel-related companies with top-tier talent, ensuring the right leadership is in place to drive innovation and growth. See our case studies.
SKIFT TRAVEL 200
How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to understand global market movements. Paid subscribers get full access here.
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