Industry Leaders Unpack Travel’s Future at Skift Global Forum East this November

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, Skift Global Forum East will return to Dubai to bring together the brightest minds in travel, hospitality, tourism, and aviation who are driving innovation and shaping the future of the global travel industry. Join us as we discuss these themes and more:

   • How are destinations capturing demand as source markets evolve? 

   • What impact will a unified visa program have on attracting travelers? 

   • How is the rise of branded residences reshaping hospitality in the region?

   • The rise of experiences and what destinations are doing to drive this trend? 

   • How is air connectivity growing in the region and airlines incentivizing stopovers?

   • What are the data and AI strategies that travel leaders are implementing? 

   • How are the needs of luxury and ultra-luxury travelers evolving? 

   • What is the future of sports and entertainment tourism in destinations? 

   • As the center of gravity of travel moves East, what is the industry doing to adapt?

The forum will showcase a dynamic mix of industry heavyweights, including Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, who will offer insights into Dubai’s vision as a global tourism hub. Get a feel for what to expect by watching his discussion with Skift CEO, Rafat Ali, at this year’s Skift Global Forum here.

The aviation sector will be well represented with Antonoaldo Neves, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, and Aloke Singh, CEO of Air India Express, sharing strategies on navigating the ever-evolving airline industry. Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, will also join the conversation, providing insights from the perspective of a low-cost carrier. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, will also join us to discuss the role of airports in the future of global connectivity.

Hospitality leaders like Guy Hutchinson, President of Hilton Middle East & Africa (MEA), Dillip Rajakarier, CEO at Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, and Mark Kirby, COO and Head of Hospitality at Emaar Hospitality Group, will explore how they are adapting to changing consumer behaviors and redefining guest experiences.

Rounding out the lineup are industry influencers like Amani (El Sehrawey) O’Neill from Airbnb, Maher Koubaa of Amadeus IT Group, and Roman Chiporukha, founder of SpaceVIP, and Carlo Olejniczak, VP & MD of EMEA at Booking.com, who will discuss emerging trends and opportunities in travel tech and beyond.

Secure your spot at Skift Global Forum East to gain exclusive insights,engage in meaningful discussions, and network with decision-makers and thought leaders driving the future of travel in the Middle East. Tickets are going fast—less than six weeks remain to reserve yours! Stay tuned for exciting speaker announcements and event updates.