SxiftX Showcase: Destinations

As Trip.com further expands into Europe and North America, the company is leveraging learnings from its work in the Asia-Pacific region. Road-tested strategies around customer service, localization, partnerships, and industry collaboration are propelling Asia’s leading travel service provider into its next era.

Shifts in global tourism patterns around the love of sports and athletic activities are occurring simultaneously with Qiddiya City’s rise from the ground up, just 40 minutes from Riyadh. The destination “built for play” is at the center of a critical moment emblematic of the future of travel.

DCT Abu Dhabi is betting big on the travel trade by training thousands of agents and expanding global partnerships to put human expertise at the center of its tourism growth strategy.

Africa is emerging as travel’s next global growth frontier, driven by a young population, rising connectivity, and authentic experiences. Hamza Farooqui of Millat Group calls for intentional investment, Gulf partnerships, and reciprocal travel ecosystems to unlock the continent’s full potential.

In this video from Skift Transatlantic Summit 2025, Wendy Olson Killion, CEO of Rome2Rio, explains how pairing inspiration with access helps destinations encourage travel to lesser-known places and distribute tourism more sustainably.

Sandals Resorts International is doubling down on its Caribbean identity, expanding its Beaches brand, and leveraging its regional workforce and suppliers to power both hospitality excellence and economic growth. In this talk, Executive Chairman Adam Stewart elaborates on the brand’s bold new chapter.

Evermore shifts Orlando beyond theme parks, positioning itself as a destination in its own right. In this talk, Chris Kelsey, president of Dart Interests, highlights group-focused residences, a Conrad hotel, and a focus on “relational wellness” as the next wave of travel demand.

The explosive popularity of gaming and esports tourism is not only an interesting story of rapid growth in and of itself. It represents a completely new category of live tourism that’s breaking down generational and cultural barriers.

Experience Abu Dhabi is taking a fresh look at its approach to family travel marketing by giving children a voice in shaping messaging and experiences. The result is a global campaign with content that feels personal and relevant across markets.

At a time when empathy can be in short supply, Global Glimpse is creating life-changing opportunities for young people to travel with purpose and return home with a stronger sense of self, a broader worldview, and the skills to lead in a rapidly changing world.