Skift Global Forum East 2025 Sessions

Oman Air would like to prove that smaller carriers can punch above their weight—if they stay focused. Its CEO is betting on Oman’s natural strengths, smarter distribution, and a full-scale digital reboot to turn the airline into a leaner, more profitable global player.

Just marketing attractions to Indian and Chinese travelers is no longer enough. Destinations need to make travel simpler and safer for them.

As Ras Al Khaimah undergoes explosive growth, Philippa Harrison brings a marketer’s eye and a strategist’s discipline. In a region of megaprojects, her focus on authenticity and sustainability might be the boldest bet of all.

Etihad’s strategy is clear: grow fast, but only if you grow smart. Under Neves, the airline isn’t chasing scale for its own sake. Profitability, premium experiences, and AI-powered precision are now central to the playbook.

Abu Dhabi’s airport is trying to get smarter as it gets bigger. Elena Sorlini hopes that with the right tech, partnerships, and passenger-first mindset, even a transit hub can deliver a destination-worthy experience.

Accor’s Jean-Jacques Morin sees the future of travel playing out in the East, led by bold investments, strong leadership, and experience-centric hospitality. But he’s clear-eyed too: sustainability, tech disruption, and talent strategy will define who stays competitive by 2030.

Forget mega-cruises. Luxury yacht travel is tourism’s next frontier, and Ritz-Carlton wants to own it. As the UAE positions itself as the next Las Vegas, immersive travel and premium experiences are setting the tone for 2030.

Skift’s return to the Middle East is a sign of where the global travel conversation is headed. From AI to Africa, the kickoff presentation charts a future built on connection, content, and cross-sector collaboration.

Marriott is not just trying to building hotels—it's after an ecosystem. From treehouse suites in Costa Rica to AI-driven personalization, Capuano’s vision is about owning the full traveler journey and capturing every wallet size along the way.

Booking.com wants to engineer a future where payments unlock the full travel journey. As AI and agentic systems loom, it is making the case that the its future lies in easing friction, striving to be hyper-local, with fintech as a foundation.