Shows
Travel Tech InsiderPrivate Equity Roundup & Rollups in TravelPrivate equity is playing an increasingly visible — and influential — role across travel and hospitality. From platform rollups and carve-outs to growth equity investments in scaled travel tech, PE capital is reshaping who owns what, how companies grow, and what “success” looks like beyond venture-backed exits.This episode unpacks how private equity really works, how it differs from late-stage venture capital, and why travel and hospitality have become such compelling hunting grounds for PE firms right now. We start with the fundamentals: what private equity is, how funds are structured, who the LPs are, and how different types of PE st...
2026-02-2453 min
AI and FaithAI and the Rise of Digital Religions with Beth Singler #56In this fascinating conversation, Beth Singler and Gilad Berenstein dive into the complex topic of digital religions. They discussed the many ways established religions are adopting technology and artificial intelligence and adapting their practice for the AI age, as well as the emergence of new religions for whom technology and artificial intelligence are at the core of their belief system. They conclude with a beautiful conversation about AI hope in the future, where artificial intelligence elevates all of our spiritual practices.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/rise-of-digital-religions-with-beth-singler/
2026-02-1944 min
Eye on Travel with Peter GreenbergIs airline status still worth it?On this week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg, Peter breaks down some sobering and surprising numbers when it comes to global travel this year with Gloria Guevara - Interim President and CEO of WTTC. Then, is airline status still worth it? Managing Editor for the Points Guy Clint Henderson weighs in. Finally, AI expert Gilad Berenstein stops by with a report of the frontlines of the brave new world of AI.
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2026-02-1838 min
AI and FaithThe Enlightened Bottom Line #55In this conversation, we were joined by two Silicon Valley investors, Daryn Dodson and Jenna Nicholas, who focus on investing in artificial intelligence in a way that is positive sum for society, what they referred to as the enlightened bottom line. In our discussion, they explained this term and how they draw on their faith traditions to find investments and business opportunities with great returns, positive impact on humanity, and ones that support their religious and spiritual desires. We concluded the conversation with a deep dive into the Baháʼí faith and the many ways AI is utilized within that com...
2026-02-0544 min
AI and FaithCommunity Q&A with Our New Executive Director #54We were thrilled to have our new Executive Director, Greg Cootsona, back on the podcast to look back at his first hundred days, to answer a few questions from all of you, and to discuss some of the key learnings from our faith traditions that we need to apply during this era of the great commoditization of AI.Meet our guests here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/community-qa-with-our-new-executive-director-54/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or...
2026-01-2943 min
AI and FaithLessons from Faith for a Future of AI Abundance #53In this episode, we dive deeply into the AI abundance philosophy. We spend time with our guests Brian Sigmon and Dr. David Zvi Kalman, imagining how good things could possibly get, due to the arrival of artificial intelligence and what lessons we can draw from our faith to ensure that this abundance benefits humanity as a whole.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/future-of-ai-abundance-53/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any...
2026-01-1540 minTravel Tech InsiderSeason Three Season FinaleAs we close out Season 3 of Travel Tech Insider, we’re stepping back to reflect on the conversations, debates, and signals that defined the past year—and to look ahead at what 2026 may have in store for travel, hospitality, and the technology shaping it all.We kick things off at the macro level, asking our guests to share one or two defining lessons from 2025. Those insights span far beyond any single theme—touching on investing, AI, business building, travel behavior, and even how leaders are adapting personally in a rapidly changing world. We’ll also hear from our inve...
2025-12-3049 minTravel Tech InsiderCorporate Travel (Still) in FluxWhen we last visited the corporate travel side of the industry with OG Steve Singh about a year and a half ago, most of us were still kicking tires on ChatGPT and “agents” still referred to humans.Fast forward to today, and the implications of agentic AI are reaching into every nook and cranny of even the most slow-moving corners of the industry, like corporate travel. With travelers getting more comfortable relying on LLMs to help them plan leisure travel, will they naturally extend that usage for their business trips?And if so, what would that...
2025-12-2354 minTravel Tech InsiderCruising into the Future: How Technology Is Transforming the High SeasThe cruise industry has quietly become one of the most fascinating — and technologically advanced — corners of the travel sector. Once viewed as a niche for retirees and sun-seekers, it’s now riding a powerful wave of innovation, luxury, and digital transformation. From ultra-high-end yachts to fully connected smart ships, cruising has evolved into a microcosm of where travel is headed next.In this episode, we unpack the major trends shaping the modern cruise market — and explore what makes it such a compelling space for travelers, technologists, and investors alike.From the luxury side of the industry...
2025-12-091h 02Travel Tech InsiderAdventures in FinTech: Stablecoins, Blockchain and CryptoFintech has quietly become one of the most transformative forces in the travel industry — shaping how we pay, how we earn and redeem loyalty, and increasingly, how companies manage global transactions behind the scenes. From B2B payment flows between hotels, OTAs, and suppliers to B2C innovation in digital wallets, loyalty currencies, and embedded finance, fintech is no longer just an enabler — it’s a strategic differentiator.Fintech also plays a role in the expanding agentic AI space. After all, agents can’t really “agent” without the ability to execute a transaction. How will autonomous digital agents trans...
2025-12-0257 minTravel Tech InsiderThe AI Effect (Part 3): Agentic AI & Future of PersonalizationShow NotesAgentic AI is the latest buzzword in travel tech — but beyond the hype, it raises big questions about how travelers will discover, plan, and book their journeys. Will the power of agentic AI reinforce the dominance of OTAs like Expedia and Booking, or will it open the door for smaller travel brands to compete on equal footing? In this episode, we explore what agentic AI means for personalization in travel retailing and service delivery: how it could reshape loyalty, rewire customer expectations, and redefine the role of intermediaries versus suppliers. We’ll look at e...
2025-11-251h 04Travel Tech InsiderAgentic AI (Part 2): The Emerging AI Tech StackGenerative AI is not only impacting how travel is bought and sold as we heard in Part 1 of our AI Effect series, it’s also impacting how companies are building and delivering the travel services that are bought and sold.Companies used to stockpile servers, engineers and access to bandwidth, all of which required considerable capital. In this new AI era, anyone can use Replit or Lovable to spin up their own travel app in a matter of hours. Companies no longer need teams of expensive engineers to code up a new application — the just need a Curs...
2025-11-1157 min
AI and FaithCritical Questions and a Deep Dive into AI‘s Impacts on Wars and Military Conflict with Albert Gombis #49In this episode, we were joined by Al Gombis, a senior leader from the United States government, who has spent decades thinking about the integration of technology into our national security, military, and line enforcement operations. Together, we explored the many difficult questions and balancing acts required in figuring out how to ethically bring this technology into the realms of war and national security.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ais-impacts-on-wars-and-military-conflict-with-albert-gombis/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or...
2025-11-0642 minTravel Tech InsiderThe AI Effect (Part 1): The Future of Travel DistributionGenerative AI has upended just about every part of the travel lifecycle for both buyers and sellers of travel services. From the consumer perspective, the resources available to inspire, research, plan, book and share your favorite trips have simultaneously expanded the possibilities for consideration and curated that consideration set to a handful of suggestions — all in a matter of seconds.From the perspective of those selling travel services, that path to reach your buyers has become exponentially more complicated. The old reliable model of online search (primarily through Google) has a half life that is accelerating faster th...
2025-11-0448 min
AI and FaithEthics at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Human Biology #48In this wide-ranging conversation, we were joined by three renowned experts in the field of bioethics, medical ethics, and their intersection with technology. Braden Molhoek, Ted Peters and Sara-Jo Swiatek discuss gene editing, transhumanism, access, and the way our faith traditions can inform these very difficult decisions.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ethics-at-the-intersection-of-artificial-intelligence-and-human-biology-48/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Pablo...
2025-10-3053 minTravel Tech InsiderSocial Commerce: Dead or Alive?With all the debate over agentic AI and its impact on the traditional search ecosystem, we seem to have forgotten all about that other massive acquisition channel — social commerce.TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, and other popular commuity sites around the globe all continue to garner a significant share of top-of-funnel attention and mid-funnel intent. This is acutely true for the Gen Z and younger millennial cohorts when it comes to travel planning and even more so for Gen Alphas who may not be buying travel yet but who are heavily relying on social for their retail co...
2025-10-2851 minTravel Tech InsiderVacation Rentals in FluxThe vacation rental industry has transformed from a scrappy alternative to hotels into a global powerhouse—but is the model starting to strain under its own weight?In this episode, we explore how the ecosystem is evolving, and where fault lines are beginning to show. Can tech keep pace with rising guest expectations? Will hosts, managers, and platforms ever find equilibrium in their tug-of-war over economics, control, and trust? And what happens when regulators and communities push back against the very growth that made vacation rentals mainstream?We look at the opportunities and tensions shaping th...
2025-10-211h 01
AI and FaithIntroducing Our New Executive Director: Greg Cootsona #46In this episode, we’re excited to introduce Greg Cootsona as AI and Faith’s new Executive Director. From his early life and journey of faith, to his deep engagement with theology, science, and technology, Greg shares the experiences that have shaped his ministry, writing, and leadership. He reflects on the past decade of work at the intersection of culture and belief, offers insights from his book, and looks ahead to what excites him most as he steps into this new role.Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the...
2025-10-0229 min
AI and FaithThe Intersection of a Rapidly Changing World, AI, and the Future of Religion #44Bob Johansen has spent the past 50 years studying the impact of technology on humans and our society. With a deep background in faith coming from divinity school and a fascination with world religions, Bob does a masterful job of helping us think about the way religion can help us cope with a rapidly changing world, and the way religion may have to change to be relevant in the future.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/ai-and-the-future-of-religion/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view...
2025-09-1839 min
AI and FaithAI in Current Affairs: Military Battles, Legal Battles, and Ethics #43In this wide ranging conversation, we dive into the impacts of AI on war, conflict, and the law. We explore how the ethics of war may change due to the rise of artificial intelligence, and of course what we can learn from our various religions and religious traditions to help us act ethically as we move into this future.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/military-legal-ethics/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or...
2025-09-0449 min
The Insider Travel Report PodcastWhat Virtuoso’s Tech Summit Revealed about AI and MoreGilad Berenstein, creator of the Virtuoso Tech Summit, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what the Summit, held on Aug. 9 during Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, focused on, including AI and trending technology topics. Berenstein, a tech entrepreneur, investor and Virtuoso board member, has staged three Virtuoso Tech Summits in the last three years and this one was the largest yet. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our Youtube channel (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on: Spo...
2025-08-2609 min
AI and FaithIslamicity: An Introduction to AI and Faith’s New Partner #41In this conversation, we welcome one of AI and Faith's newest partners to our community. Islamicity is an incredible organization, dedicated to sharing the knowledge and wisdom of Islam with the world. Through the innovative deployment of technology starting back in the 90s and the utilization of AI today, Islamicity teaches us how we can utilize artificial intelligence to benefit both the followers of the faith, as well as people around the world looking to learn.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/islamicity-ai-and-faiths-new-partner/ Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own an...
2025-08-0733 minTravel Tech InsiderSALON: The New Era of Investing - Lessons Learned for InvestorsIn this emerging AI era, what’s different this time when it comes to tech investing? We’ve seen major disruptions before, both business model (eg, internet > mobile > social > AI) and cultural/structural/economic (eg, ZIRP, gig workers, Covid, remote working, cloud computing).Prior eras followed a similar playbook: irrational exuberance leading to the trough of despair, followed by the emergence of a handful of market leaders with escape velocity and long tail of minor players, all setting into a level of market maturity that keeps things in balance.Will the AI era follow same? Or d...
2025-07-291h 01
AI and FaithGrief, Death, Mourning, and their Intersection with Artificial Intelligence #38AI is being integrated into every element of our world and the human experience. Mourning and death are no exception. From grief bots, to AI ghosts, to robot pet companions, artificial intelligence is beginning to be woven into some of the most personal, difficult, and transformational moments of our lives. In this episode, we explore that intersection.Meet the speakers here: https://aiandfaith.org/aif-podcast/grief-death-and-artificial-intelligence/Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any...
2025-07-0334 min
The Skift Travel PodcastAI and the Future of Travel Startup InvestmentWhat do travel investors really think about AI, startups, and the future of travel? In this unscripted Ask Me Anything session, three top venture experts answer real questions from the audience – no slides, no pitches, just sharp takes and honest insights.
Host Sarah Kopit was joined for this conversation by Cara Whitehill (Vice President, Thayer Investment Partners), Gilad Berenstein (Founder, Brook Bay Capital), and Max Niederhofer (Partner, Heartcore Capital) at Skift Data+AI Summit earlier this month.
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/00...
2025-06-2625 min
AI and FaithConsciousness, Intelligence and Ethics. Where do they Overlap? #37In this episode, we bring together three scholars from the Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist faith, for a deep and meaningful discussion about the roots of consciousness and the implications on ethics. This all leads to the critical question we will all have to answer in the coming year: what ethical obligations do we have to artificial intelligence?Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny Yuen
2025-06-1945 min
AI and FaithAI, Legislators, and The Singularity with Rabbi Dr. Harris Bor #33Expert in AI, philosophy and the law, Barrister and Rabbi Dr. Harris Bor, practices international arbitration and commercial and company litigation from Twenty Essex, a barristers’ chambers in London. In a conversation with Gilad Berenstein, they discuss the politics and policies of AI legislation, as well as, how to navigate between extreme points of view on these topics. They also consider this question: Are we reaching a decisive moment for the future of society and technology?Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or a...
2025-05-0131 min
Travel Tech InsiderSALON: The State of VC in Travel: APAC EditionIn our first two seasons we took a deep dive into the venture investing scenes in both the US and European markets, comparing and contrasting the startup trends, approaches to risk, and styles of investing that are taking hold.Now we shift our focus east, and take a look at the state of the APAC VC ecosystem. Given the multitude of different countries, cultures, and currencies the region encompasses, it has a far more diverse customer base to tap into than the US or EU.How does that impact the type of startups that grow...
2025-04-1556 min
AI and FaithEast Versus West: Different Societal Thoughts on the Convergence of AI and Faith #31In this conversation we speak with a true expert at the intersection of AI and Faith, Glen Weyl. He is Founder and Research Lead of the Microsoft Research Project: The Plural Technology Collaboratory. Interviewed by Gilad Berenstein, they dive into the differences between East and West when it comes to the ways AI and technology are woven into religious and spiritual life and more importantly, the influence that these communities have on the development of faith. Glen shares his strongly held view that in the US, voices of people of faith are often too far outside of these key...
2025-04-0327 min
AI and FaithForeign Affairs, Spirituality, and Artificial Intelligence #29Listen to the conversation between our host Gilad Berenstein, Mark Chinen and Sreevas Sahasranamam that bridges the breaking news in AI (Operator and Deepseek) with foreign affairs and spirituality. Bringing together Hindu, Christian, and Jewish perspectives, our experts have listed and worked around the world making this a particularly engaging conversion.Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny YuenSpeakers: Gilad Berenstein, Mark...
2025-03-0636 min
Travel Tech InsiderSeason Finale | What’s on Tap for 2025Wrapping up season two of the Travel Tech Insider podcast, we turn the tables on our favorite trade media voices to hear what they’re keeping an eye on for 2025. What are they most excited to cover? What under-the-radar trends do they think will have an outsized impact on the ways we plan, shop, book and experience travel? And how do they go about their day-to-day jobs in the media world, identifying stories and cultivating their sources to find their unique angles and insights? We’re joined by four of the leading thinkers, writers and question-askers in the i...
2025-01-281h 13Travel Tech InsiderM&A Part 2: The Exit | Founders PerspectivesIn part 1 of our exploration of M&A trends in the travel sector, we talked to the bankers and advisors who have a front row seat to the circus that is the M&A process. Given this is their job day-in and day-out, they have a deep understanding of the steps involved in buying or selling a business, can anticipate the gotcha’s and stumbling blocks, and are primed to help their customers avoid pitfalls that can unexpectedly snag a deal.Now we turn to the other side of the table and talk to the founders for th...
2024-12-241h 14
Everything AI in TravelEverything AI in Travel - REWIND with Gilad Berenstein of Brook Bay CapitalGilad Berenstein holds a unique place in travel planning world.
Gilad is not just another talking head commentator but seasoned veteran as the founder of UTrip - an early iteration of this genre which has exploded with AI.
Now Gilad holds a position of whether to put venture money towards these and other AI ideas as well as being on the board of Virtuoso and a thoughtful commentator on all happenings in travel.
This was always going to be an interesting chat. I hope...
2024-12-1934 min
Travel Tech InsiderWhat’s Cooking with Food & Beverage Innovation?Dining out, room service, fine dining, continental breakfasts, a fancy cocktail, and food and drink in general have always been a part of the travel experience and hospitality offering. Today more than ever before Michelin Stars, hidden gems, street eats, food tours, cooking classes, Agriturismo, and gastropubs are the central aspirations of an enormous percentage of the traveling public.As we learned from 100’s of millions of travelers at Utrip, for most Americans, and everyone else too, most trips revolved around food, drink, and relaxation. But even though we all know this, for some reason the arena of...
2024-12-171h 15
Travel Tech InsiderM&A Part 1: Buyers, Sellers and the State of the MarketWe’ve spent a lot of time on the pod talking about startups, and now we’re going to shift gears to talk about the finish line, and what the climate is looking like for exits. The IPO market has been virtually non-existent the past couple years, and M&A activity (particularly for Big Tech) has been stagnant.That said, there is a ton of capital sitting on the sidelines, seemingly ready to jump in when conditions improve. Coupled with the volume of early-stage companies that have matured from concept to commercialization since the pandemic, this combination of d...
2024-12-1059 min
Travel Tech InsiderThe Travelization of Finance with Bilt Rewards and Super.comThe fintech sector has expanded massively beyond its origins as a way to modernize and connect the plumbing across the various segments of the financial services world. The intersection of fintech and travel — the “Financialization” of the travel sector — is leading to some incredibly interesting applications that help consumers find value and help merchants more efficiently serve those consumers. Alternative forms of payment, loyalty program extensions, creative new approaches to funding travel purchases and insurance-type products that help travelers protect their trip investments are all popular examples of this trend.Now we’re seeing the convergence of fintech an...
2024-12-0355 min
Travel Tech InsiderAviation Innovation: What’s Up in the AirIt might be hard to tell at times, but we’re in the midst of a renaissance when it comes to the air travel experience. Everything from the aircraft we fly to the routes they take to the in-flight experience is getting a major redesign. The pandemic and subsequent Infrastructure Act provided the downtime and funds for our airports to get badly needed investment, enabling them to modernize their operations and overhaul the passenger experience into something that is actually pleasant. While it’s been over 30 years since the last flight of the Concorde, new aviation technology is opening up a...
2024-11-2654 min
Travel Tech InsiderThe Future of Travel: Digital Identity & Universal ProfilesWe’ve talked a lot on the pod about the mythical Connected Trip concept, and the vision for a unified travel experience across all the different touchpoint throughout the journey. One that is personalized and understands the context of the trip — is it for work or for fun, with family or solo, international or local — and what type of support we might need throughout the journey.One key foundational element of this vision is the concept of identity: who you are, what are your preferences, and what relationships do you have with the various suppliers and service provid...
2024-11-1856 min
Travel Tech InsiderThe State of VC in Travel: Europe EditionLast season we took a deep dive into the venture investing scene here in the US, including the different approaches taken by corporate ventures teams and institutional funds, and the growth of new platforms like studios and accelerators.Now it’s Europe’s turn. We’ll take a look at the European venture scene and what investors are seeing on that side of the pond. Valuations, M&A activity, implications of governmental regulation, and fundraising trends for both VCs and startups.The ecosystem across Europe and the UK is has taken a big step forward in its...
2024-11-121h 09
Travel Tech InsiderAre Ancillaries Becoming the Main Dish? With Elad Schaffer & Michael WolfAncillaries! It’s such a nebulous term for the travel industry that it’s incredibly hard to figure out exactly how big the market is — but we know it’s massive and getting bigger by the day.In some cases, what we refer to as ancillary products are actually the primary reason for the trip to begin with! Think Disney park tickets or the surfing lessons you booked for that major milestone birthday trip.In other cases, they’re things we used to get for free before folks like RyanAir realized they could charge for...
2024-11-0552 min
Travel Tech InsiderInnovation in Corporate Travel with Steve SinghCorporate travel has been ripe for disruption for quite some time, so why is it taking so long?Road warriors hate the tools they are compelled to use (and frequently bypass), travel managers hate the cat-and-mouse games they have to play to enforce policy on their employees and to police rates and configuration rules with their TMC partners. Suppliers hate the complexity involved in getting the right offers to the right customers. TMCs hate the goat rodeo of program leakage and shoe-horning new technology services on legacy tech platforms.We’ve seen some innovation around th...
2024-10-2957 min
Travel Trends with Dan ChristianVirtuoso Travel Tech Summit Start-Up PanelSend a textStep into the world of travel innovation with the Travel Trends Podcast! In this, our second episode spotlighting the Virtuoso Travel Tech Summit, your hosts Dan Christian and Gilad Berenstein bring you face-to-face with the brilliant minds behind some of the most exciting startups featured at the event.Meet Andy Moss of Mindtrip, who is redefining AI-driven travel planning with his groundbreaking platform. Discover Marissa Nelson of Intimacy Moons Couples Retreats, blending luxury with unique relationship-building experiences. Learn about Akiva Reich’s Feeel.io, enhancing hospitality with immersive 360 live video. And explore Je...
2024-09-2038 min
Travel Trends with Dan ChristianVirtuoso Travel Tech Summit Highlights: Executive Round TableSend a textWelcome to Season 4 Episode 7 of the Travel Trends Podcast where our host Dan Christian unpacks the highlights from the Travel Tech and Innovation Summit at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas. Prepare to hear invaluable insights from industry leaders like Shane (Microsoft), Stuart (Forbes Travel Guide), Travis (Virtuoso), and Betsy (F Prime).Discover how venture capital is shaping travel tech with a panel featuring Cara Whitehill (Thayer Ventures), Miriam (Amadeus), and Betsy (F Prime), moderated by Gilad Berenstein. Learn about trends in advisor productivity and data standardization from Virtuoso's Travis....
2024-09-1754 min
The Insider Travel Report PodcastHow Virtuoso’s Tech Summit Highlighted the Top Trends in Travel Tech TodayGilad Berenstein, head of the Brook Bay Capital tech investment firm and on the board of Virtuoso, the luxury travel network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the Virtuoso Tech Summit, which took place at the very beginning of Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas last week. Berenstein tells us about the speakers, the topics and the new travel technology firms that were showcased during the Summit. He also reveals the top trends in travel technology today. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found...
2024-08-2212 min
Travel Trends with Dan ChristianSpecial Hospitality Series: Stuart Greif on AI Enhancing Human Connections in Luxury TravelSend a textIn our latest podcast episode from 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, we explore an intriguing question, with Stuart Greif, my good friend and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer: What if luxury hospitality could harness AI to deepen, rather than diminish, human connections?Stuart shares his valuable insights on leveraging AI to streamline administrative tasks, allowing staff to focus on cultivating meaningful interactions with guests. Despite technological advancements, he emphasizes that the heart of luxury hospitality remains genuine human connection.He also discusses the panel of tech luminaries he brought together...
2024-06-2024 min
Travel Tech InsiderSalon: The State of Innovation - VC, Corporate VC and Venture StudiosFollowing up from our Season 1 episode on the investor perspective in travel tech, we bring you the latest from the front lines of venture capital and corporate innovation.What, if anything, has changed for the ecosystem in the past year? Are we bullish or bearish on where the innovation market is heading for travel, hospitality and mobility? If you’re a startup in this space, how should you be thinking about fundraising now? And if you’re heading up innovation within a corporate enterprise, how can you best capitalize on the new ideas coming to market so you...
2024-06-1854 min
Skift Daily BriefingWhat Travel's Best AI Experts Told Us YesterdayEpisode NotesHotel tech has a long way to go before it can satisfy travelers’ demands, two executives said at the Skift Data + AI Summit in New York on Tuesday, writes Reporter Christiana Sciaudone.Chris Hemmeter, managing director at Thayer Ventures, and Kurien Jacob, partner and managing director of Highgate Technology Ventures, explained how hotel tech needs to evolve. Jacob noted how the travel industry is behind tech-wise – “room assignment can be automated,” he said. Hemmeter said the hospitality industry has been playing catch up while the traveler has changed. Next, large numbers of travele...
2024-06-0503 min
Travel Tech InsiderSeason 1 FinaleThe season finale is here! Episode 10 wraps up with some special guests to help us check in on the latest goings-on among all the hot topics we covered in Season 1. Cliffhangers abound...What's next with NDC, loyalty program changes, regulatory trends, and all things AI? Luxury and Zillennials, venture capital funding (or lack thereof?) and the future of destination marketing are all looking a little different from when we covered them just months ago.Thanks to Friends of the Pod Janette Roush, Daniel Green, Tiffany Funk, Bobby Demri, Michael...
2024-03-121h 19
Travel Tech InsiderAI: What We Know So Far, Part 2 - The Big GuysThis week we continue our deep dive into what we know so far about AI, and how it’s being used, being disruptive, being overestimated and perhaps underestimated across the travel ecosystem. In our last episode we spoke to two startup founders who have incorporated AI into their applications to get the perspective of the early-stage company and how AI is changing the landscape for these new players.Today we talk to two leaders from the other end of the spectrum, Marilyn Markham of AMEX Global Business Travel, and Shane O’Flaherty of Microsoft, to hear how the...
2024-02-2059 min
Travel Tech InsiderAI: What We Know So Far, Part 1 - The StartupsIt’s been a little over a year now since ChatGPT burst on the scene like a cannonball into a pool, soaking us all. The initial waves have settled down, giving us a chance to see what kind of ideas and applications are making the best use of this fascinating technology. And while AI isn’t exactly new, the democratized access to it that ChatGPT introduced means virtually anyone can make use of large language models and generative AI tools without needing a PhD.This expanded access in turn is driving the early commoditization of a sophisticated tech...
2024-02-1357 min
Travel Tech InsiderSocial Commerce & the Zillennial Set: A New Paradigm for Travel?The way we travel has evolved pretty dramatically since the pandemic. The traditional “Dream/Plan/Book/Go/Share/Repeat” lifecycle has essentially been replatformed as a result of macro trends like the shift to remote work, multiple rounds of stimmie checks, a growing loneliness epidemic, and an acute appreciation for authenticity and sustainability in the travel brands we engage with. We have more time, more money, and more desire to see the world, and we want to do it on our terms.We’re also seeing the stratification in how different generations of travelers are engaging across that t...
2024-02-061h 07
Travel Tech InsiderState of LoyaltyThe loyalty program as we know it was pioneered by American Airlines over 30 years ago. A lot has changed since then. As travel has become commoditized in many areas, suppliers and retailers have become more innovative and creative about attracting, retaining, and rewarding customers. While customers have become savvier about maximizing and sometimes even gaming the system. The premium credit card companies have added their own layers of complexity. And of course, the pandemic accelerated many changes to the structure of loyalty programs that were already being tested.So what does the state of loyalty look like...
2024-01-3056 min
Travel Tech InsiderEmerging Business Models in Travel TechTo paraphrase Lenin (Vladimir, not John), “there are decades where nothing happens, and then there is NDC”. For those of us who have worked in travel tech for more than a few years, it may feel like decades are suddenly happening in months, if not weeks.And it’s not just technology innovations like NDC and AI that are shaking things up. The pandemic gave many companies breathing room to experiment with new commercial models that give their businesses more solid footing to ride out unexpected economic dislocations like Covid, as well as more evolutionary changes to the in...
2024-01-2357 min
AI and FaithAI and Faith Podcast TrailerWelcome to the AI and Faith podcast! We are a community of expert technologists, academics, business professionals, and faith leaders, working together to bring the ancient wisdom of the world's major religious traditions to the ethics of artificial intelligence.We believe Artificial Intelligence is an important tool to be stewarded and guided for human flourishing rather than harmful purposes. AI is shaping our lives, work, and perhaps more importantly our self-understanding and global community with astonishing speed and scale.We do this by bringing together faith leaders, individuals with deep commitment to philosophy and ethics...
2024-01-0401 min
Travel Tech InsiderWhat's Next for Luxury Travel?The luxury travel segment has always been about high-touch service and premium experiences. In a rapidly changing post-pandemic world where AI turns the service model upside down, over-the-top experiences collide with sustainability concerns, and a renewed appreciation for authentic engagement fosters an even more fragmented landscape of travel providers, what does that mean for the luxury market?In this episode, guests, Stuart Greif, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Forbes Travel Guide, and Jim Bendt, owner of Pique Travel, a luxury travel agency in Minnesota, join the pod to share their unique perspective on the future of...
2023-12-2647 min
Travel Tech InsiderInvestor Perspective: Why is VC in Travel so Tough?When it comes to sexy startup ideas, the travel sector usually ranks at the head of the class. Nearly everyone travels, and thus can relate to the pain points that stem from the challenges inherent in an industry driven by legacy tech platforms, fragmented data, and unsophisticated business models. It’s an industry desperate for disruption.Even so, travel startups tend to get the side-eye from most VCs — despite spawning two of the most disruptive startups in the past decade in Uber and AirBnB. What is it about travel that makes it so tough for startups to get...
2023-12-1951 min
Travel Tech InsiderDestination Marketing: Where Are We Headed?Destination marketing is one of the biggest forces powering the travel industry that we rarely talk about. It’s the Goliath economic influencer hiding in plain sight, using its invisible hand to directly and indirectly guide the way we think about where to travel, how to travel, and what we do once when we get there.And it’s an industry in tremendous flux: Covid, “revenge travel”, rising interest rates, stimmy checks, overtourism, the ‘work from anywhere’ trend, sustainability, war, Gen Z & the influencer demographic, TikTok and (of course) AI have all had an impact on how destinations...
2023-12-1256 min
Travel Tech InsiderInnovation vs. RegulationGuest Mark Farrell joins the pod to talk about balancing the need for innovation against the need for regulatory guardrails to keep us safe and ensure fair competition.Mark is uniquely qualified to weigh in on this topic given his role as Managing Director at Thayer Ventures, a leading VC firm focused on the travel, transportation and hospitality sector, and his prior experience in government as a former San Francisco Mayor and City Supervisor. His time in politics coincided with the emergence and rise of Uber, Lyft, and AirBnB, giving him a front-row seat to...
2023-12-0147 min
Travel Trends with Dan ChristianSeason 2 Rewind - Virtuoso Startups, AI Insights & Trivia Showdown!Send a textGet ready for a captivating journey as we reflect on an unforgettable season 2 of Travel Trends! Your hosts, Zach Vanasse and Dan Christian, discuss the brightest minds in the travel industry and how they participated in the show this season. We've been lucky enough to engage with thousands of listeners from over 50 countries worldwide and are eager to continue delivering insightful experiences in the future. In this episode, we reveal the 'lost recording' from the Virtuoso conference that features three game-changing travel industry CEOs - Jessica Blotter, Grace McBride, and Andrei Papancea al...
2023-11-281h 26Travel Trends with Dan ChristianTravel Trends featuring Gilad Berenstein, VC & FounderSend a textJoin our host Dan Christian as he welcomes Gilad Berenstein, the esteemed VC & Founder, for an engaging discussion on the exceptional opportunities that AI presents for everyone in the travel industry. Prepare to explore the core of the transformative potential of AI within the travel sector, understand the nuances of how various travel companies are leveraging this game-changing technology (with examples including ChatGPT, OpenAI, Expedia, and Airbnb), and gain valuable perspectives on the future of travel through the lens of AI innovation, drawing from Gilad's experience with his AI Researcher father and his own...
2023-06-1953 min
The Strategy and Leadership Podcast with Anthony C. TaylorHow Culture & Strategy Keep Your Tech Company Ahead of the Game - With Gilad Berenstein Ep31As the leader of a tech organization, Gilad explained how strategy development is critical for technology companies, due to the rate of change and development in the field: it’s crucial to be proactive rather than reactive.
Learn about his best practices for leading strategy in the competitive technology sector. See the full post here: https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/how-culture-strategy-keep-your-tech-company-ahead-of-the-game-interview-with-gilad-berenstein
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-process-template-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-steps-course
Are yo...
2018-10-3128 min
Travelcast[Startupertalks] How Successfully Leverage Data & AI? with Gilad BerensteinBig data brings endless opportunities for the travel industry, but this ever-changing field also brings with it many challenges. With customers creating valuable data at every stage of their journey, how can travel companies do more to collect and connect these data points to improve the customer experience?
I was pleased to receive Gilad Berenstein who is Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Utrip. It's is a data-driven personalization platform and A.I. recommendation engine built specifically for the travel industry.
2018-10-0920 min
The Law of StartupsEpisode #114 - Roundtable DiscussionThis week we chat with a great group of Founders from Seattle: Aseem Badshah of Socedo; Gilad Berenstein of Utrip, Michael Feaster of Usermind, and Daniela Luzi Tudor of WEconnect.
2017-08-3000 minThe Law of StartupsEpisode #107 Gilad BerensteinThis week we chat with Gilad Berenstein, the CEO and Founder of Utrip, a site that helps you make the most of your travel.
2017-06-1300 min
Rudy Maxa's World16 February 2019 – RMWorldTravel - Hour 2
— Topics & Guests on this hour of RMWorldTravel with Robert & Mary Carey and Rudy Maxa include:
Seg 1 – Robert, Mary and Rudy Show Open, plus Elizabeth Nolan Brown reports on Marriott and sex-trafficking
Seg 2 – Show Friend Miriam Cross offers thoughts on things to know about home-sharing rentals companies
Seg 3 – Utrip founder Gilad Berenstein explains this new way to plan travel that mixes A.I. with human input
Seg 4 – Jada Yuan returns to share her experiences after 52 weeks of travel to 52 places
Seg 5 – Jada Yuan returns to share her experiences after 52 weeks of travel to 5...
1970-01-0100 min