As we enter the last weeks of 2023, we ask our community of travel leaders to share their reflections of the year and their outlook for the coming one in this series of trends and predictions for 2024.
This first instalment carries a mixed bag of sentiment, with some more bullish than others. What is definitive is their clarity over what’s hype and what’s real.
Omri Morgenshtern, CEO, Agoda
Looking back – one word to describe 2023
One word you wish would disappear from the vocabulary
On a scale of 1-10, rate how optimistic (10 being most) do you feel about 2024?
Looking forward – one word to describe 2024
Looking at your data, how would you describe the start of 2024?
What’s the one key thing you’re doing to prepare your business for whatever lies ahead?
- Focusing our investments on the key things that matter. We’re in a high cost of capital environment. Sustainable operations is crucial.
What is the biggest opportunity for your business in 2024?
- GenAI automation of services (internal, back office or software development related).
What part of your job would you like to do more of in 2024?
- Deep collaborations with strong local players. Now more than ever we need to work together.
What’s the most interesting thing you read or watched in 2023?
- Drive by Daniel H. Pink. Made me think.
What’s the trip you want to make in 2024 to add to your memory bank?
- Scandinavia. Haven’t been, and living in Bangkok, one learns to appreciate snow.
What’s the one thing you wish AI could solve?
What’s the one thing you think AI will never solve?
- I think over the medium long term, there’s nothing that AI can’t solve.
One important trend that no one is talking about yet?
- You know I’m a gene-editing fan. I think people are talking about it, but the extent it will change the world is not widely grasped. We will be programming humans in 50 years. Or maybe it will be AI that will do that…
A buzzword that will disappear this time, next year
- Blockchain… or is it already gone?
Steve Hafner, CEO & Co-founder, KAYAK/CEO, Open Table
Looking back – one word to describe 2023
One word you wish would disappear from the vocabulary
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