5 Themes We Will Discuss at Skift Global Forum East 2025

Skift Global Forum East is back this October 29-30, 2025, and this time, it’s Abu Dhabi’s turn to host. Set at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, the two-day event isn’t just another travel industry gathering. It’s a signal that the center of gravity in travel is shifting eastward, and Abu Dhabi wants to be both the stage and the engine for that shift.

Travel is changing fast. New demand flows, geopolitical uncertainty, and traveler expectations are forcing destinations to rethink old playbooks.

Phillipa Harrison, the new CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), will join Skift Advisory on stage to discuss her experience from Tourism Australia and the strategies destinations need to stay ahead of consumer preferences.

And let’s not forget where people stay. With Airbnb and Silkhaus on the agenda, it’s clear that accommodation is no longer just a place to sleep, it’s a core part of the travel experience.

In this part of the world, aviation isn’t a side note, it’s the backbone of travel. That’s why the forum is shining a big spotlight on it.

Antonoaldo Neves, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, has a prime slot to talk about the airline’s ambitions for the coming years. The sessions with Oman Air’s CEO Con Korfiatis and Abu Dhabi Airports’ Elena Sorlini will also dwell on how airlines and airports are adapting to disruption.

The conversation won’t be just about planes and runways. It’s about how smart infrastructure, premium demand, and resilience strategies can shape the next major aviation hubs by 2030.

No surprise here: India and China are in the spotlight. A dedicated session featuring Raj Rishi Singh from MakeMyTrip and Cathy Wu from Xiaohongshu (RedNote) will break down how two of the world’s biggest travel markets are shaping the Gulf’s tourism strategies.

India continues to be a massive and fast-growing source of visitors to the region, while China’s outbound market is forcing destinations to rethink how they market and distribute. Think creator partnerships, multilingual content, mobile-first experiences, and practical tweaks like language and payment options that make the journey smoother.

Underneath all the big-picture conversations is a quieter but crucial story: who’s going to build this future and how. Skift Research will unpack how talent, technology, and governance are becoming just as critical as physical infrastructure, speaking with both founding Jumeirah CEO Gerald Lawless and Adeera’s Stefan Lesser on stage.

Whether it’s AI shaping personalization or hospitality leaders hiring for skills that didn’t exist five years ago, the choices made now will decide who wins the next decade. Attracting the talent required will be a key facet to securing the industry’s future.

Abu Dhabi is rapidly carving its own lane for travelers, doubling down on live and cultural tourism, world-class infrastructure, and experiences driven by globally recognized names, including Disney, Sphere, F1, Louvre, and many other brands.

We’ll hear a high-level view from Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture Undersecretary, H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, and other leaders on the power of partnerships in driving local tourism ecosystems, long term value while staying rooted in heritage and sustainable growth.

Big ideas won’t just stay on stage. With CEOs, government officials, and tech leaders all under one roof, expect the sidelines to be buzzing.

Skift Global Forum East in Abu Dhabi is shaping up less as a repeat of “what made us a success” and more as figuring out what comes next for destinations, carriers, hospitality companies, and travel partners.

If you care about where the real power will sit by the end of the decade, and what decisions will get you there, this is “the” event to attend. Get your pass today.