5 Travel Insights From Skift Forum Europe 2019
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor president of core experience, Lindsay Nelson, and Skift Travel Tech Editor Sean O'Neill speak at Skift Forum Europe in London on April 30, 2019. Skift / Russell harper
Skift Take
Whether or not they are doing enough, at least companies are starting to address some of the wider issues around the travel and tourism industry.
Despite the many issues facing humanity, tourism continues to expand at impressive speed. International arrivals are increasing 6 percent in 2018, hitting the 1.4 billion mark, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
It's both an impressive and alarming figure, given how fast the middle class is growing in countries like China and India.
That's one of the reasons why we entitled this year's Skift Forum Europe: Defining the Future of Responsible Travel. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at some of the themes that emerged on Tuesday at London's Tobacco Dock.
Companies Need to Do the Right Thing
It's no longer feasible for companies to dodge societal or environmental issues. Customers are demanding action, and it was interesting to hear a couple of CEOs talk explicitly about getting out in front of the challenges the travel and tourism sector faces.
"You're seeing in society today — and this is a personal view — a bit of a loss of belief in gov
