SMACK Hospitality · 2025-12-16 · 1h 2m
Building a travel media empire isn’t for the faint-hearted, and Rafat Ali knows exactly what he’s talking about. This December, Fritz sits down with Rafat, founder and CEO of Skift, for a conversation loaded with insider insights on travel media, startups, and the raw realities of running a global brand. They get into everything from how Skift carved out a voice that matters worldwide, to keeping pace in a whirlwind industry, Rafat’s personal journey navigating the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and even their thoughts on New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. In other words, here’s what you’ll hear about: - Media Mastery: how Skift became the global voice of travel, and how Rafat sees the next chapter unfolding - Industry Dynamics: what’s actually driving travel trends beyond the headlines and the hype - Founder Life: his personal path and the lessons learned Hit play, this one hits both the head and the gut. Enjoy the show!
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