Skift Global Forum East

Dubai

December 12-14, 2023

Hosted by:

Dubai Tourism Logo 2023
Issam Abdul Rahim Kazim, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing CEO in conversation with Skift CEO and Founder Rafat Ali

Watch Sessions From Skift Global Forum East

Click on the top right-hand menu bar for a full listing of videos. You can also read coverage of the event here.

Travel’s Next Phase

in the Age of AI

Skift is leading the way in reporting the unfolding relationship between generative AI and the travel industry, and it is clear this is only the beginning. Building upon the ideas and developments that will unfold throughout this year, Skift Global Forum East returns to Dubai this December, presented by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, to explore the broad impact new technologies will have on travel, as the industry evolves at an accelerated pace not seen before in history.

Join Skift December 12-14 as we bring the Skift Global Forum ethos of fast-paced presentations and incisive interviews with leaders who understand the larger context in which travel operates and the innovations needed to drive the industry ahead.

Wego and Trip.com in discussion with Peden from Skift 2022
Crowded conference room full of engaged attendees at Skift Live Event 2022

Join us in Dubai as we discuss these themes and more:

• How Will The Middle East Globalize: How are destinations balancing culture, modernizing infrastructure, and attracting new travelers?

• Expanding Hospitality: As demand remains strong, how are hotel leaders strategizing on future growth and affordability?

• Future of Demographics: How will outbound growth across emerging markets and growth of the middle class impact travel?

• Online Travel’s Next Move: How will platforms and products evolve, drive demand, and become more AI-driven?   

• Purpose-Led Design: What is being done to drive change for a more sustainable future and adapt to climate disruptions?

• New Indian & Chinese Travelers: The post-pandemic Chinese traveler is a whole new ballgame, and Indian travelers are poised for a huge surge. How can travel step up?

• Macro Forces: What are the macroeconomic signals and geopolitical uncertainties that will impact travel’s future? 

Why Attend Skift Global Forum East 2023?

Connect with peers from across the travel industry during multiple networking opportunities.

Learn from top creatives and executives during exclusive interview sessions and talks.

Chart your path forward for 2023 and beyond based on your conversations and experiences at the Forum.

Who Should Join?

Skift Global Forum East attendees are a mix of both experienced veterans and forward-thinking newcomers that seek greater insight into the business of travel. Since we started our events program in 2014, we’ve welcomed over 21,000 attendees from all over the world for our travel industry events.

See Who is Attending This Year

Atlantis The Royal Sunset, Venue for Skift Live 2023 Event
Skift Global Forum East 2023 Venue: Atlantis The Royal, Dubai

Where Is It?

This year, the Forum will be held at the luxurious and elegant Atlantis The Royal Dubai located on the crescent of the Palm Island in the heart of Dubai.

News and Updates

Hany Abdelkawi, Head of Travel Sales at Google, Joins Skift Global Forum East Speaker Lineup

We are pleased to welcome Hany Abdelkawi, Head of Travel Sales at Google, to the Skift Global Forum East stage.  Hany is the Head of Travel Sales at Google, leading global innovations in the travel sector. In this role, he helps partners grow in international markets using AI. Hany steers initiatives to leverage the wealth…
Crowd full of attendees watching the stage and clapping in Dubai

Skift Global Forum East Speakers

Skift Global Forum East Agenda

Tuesday, December 12

6pm to 8pm – Opening Evening at Cloud 22 (Located in Atlantis The Royal)

Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday, December 14

Day 1
Day 2

Wednesday, December 13th

9:05 AM

Skift Advisory Presentation: A Big-Picture View on the Region

9:20 AM

How The Region Will Globalize

Alex Lee

Jumeirah
Chief Commercial Officer

Moderator

Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit
9:45 AM

Taking Regenerative Tourism from Concept to Reality

10:00 AM

Driving New Demand and Exploration

10:30 AM

Networking Break

11:00 AM
Hybrid Session

Looking Beyond a Western Lens

11:20 AM

A Long-Term View On Global Growth

11:50 AM

What Does Travel’s “Next Normal” Look Like?

Chris Hartley

Global Hotel Alliance
CEO

Moderator

Carolyn Kremins – President
12:00 PM
12:20 PM

Investing in the Experience Economy: Why Now is the Time

Michael P. Zeisser

FMZ Ventures
Managing Partner

Moderator

Brian Quinn – Head of Programming
12:45 PM

Lunch

2:00 PM

GenAI in Travel: 9 Critical Mistakes to Avoid

2:20 PM

Inside Saudi’s Newest Luxury Destination

Billy Canellas

NEOM
Head of Asset Management

Moderator

Kate Irwin – Managing Director, EMEA
2:35 PM

Accessibility, Accountability, and Indian Weddings

Raki Phillips

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
CEO

Moderator

Joe Naaman – Managing Director, Skift Advisory
2:55 PM

Building the Next Great Travel Platform for Saudi Tourism

Muzzammil Ahussain

Almosafer
Chief Executive Officer

Moderator

Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
3:10 PM

How Chinese Travelers Have Evolved

3:30 PM

Networking Break

4:00 PM

Defiantly Optimistic on Travel’s Future

4:15 PM

Expanding Online Travel for Emerging Markets

Ross Veitch

Wego
CEO & Co-Founder

Moderator

Middle East Reporter Josh Corder
4:40 PM

Balancing Culture and Modernization

Amanda Barnett

Visit Oman
Commercial Director

Moderator

Joe Naaman – Managing Director, Skift Advisory
5:00 PM

Connection in the Age of AI

Hany Abdelkawi

Google
Head of Travel Sales

Moderator

Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
5:30 PM
Hybrid Session

A New Era of Travel

Ben Smith

Air France-KLM
CEO

Moderator

Sarah Kopit, Editor-in-Chief, Skift
6:00 PM

Networking Reception

Thursday, December 14th

9:00 AM

Dubai City Briefing

11:00 AM

The Power of Storytelling and Screen Tourism

11:25 AM

Screens and Storytelling: Why It Matters More Than Ever

11:40 AM

Broadening Capacity and Connecting the Globe

11:55 AM

Investing in Dubai’s Air Travel Future

12:25 PM

A Macro View on Travel’s Future

12:45 PM

Lunch

1:45 PM

How Dubai and the Middle East Are Transforming Global Tourism

1:50 PM

Fostering Collaboration and Growth Within The Middle East

Tony Douglas

Riyadh Air
CEO

Moderator

Peden Bhutia – Asia Editor
2:45 PM

Reimagining Travel with AI

Marie De Ducla

Google
MENA Sales Lead, Travel, Automotive, Tech and FMCG

Moderator

Jeremy Kressmann – Head of Studio, SkiftX
2:55 PM

What Chinese Travelers Want Now

3:10 PM
3:30 PM

Expanding Hospitality’s Range and Opportunity

4:00 PM

Inspiring Innovation in Hospitality

Philippe Zuber

Kerzner International
CEO

Moderator

Sarah Kopit – Editor-in-Chief
4:30 PM

Networking Reception

Sponsors

Host Sponsor

Official Venue Partner

Event Sponsors

Official Translation Sponsor

Event Tech Partner

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities at Skift Global Forum East.