Dawit Habtemariam

I cover what destinations around world are doing to attract tourists. Prior to joining Skift, I covered corporate travel at Business Travel News.

Latest Stories

Airlines

This Thanksgiving Could Be the Busiest for U.S. Air Travel in 18 Years

Looks like it will be harder for Americans to escape Thanksgiving travel delays.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

This Thanksgiving Could Be the Busiest for U.S. Air Travel in 18 Years

Tourism

U.S. Travel Lays Off Senior-Level Staffers Amid Restructuring

U.S. Travel is having a shakeup in its senior leadership.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

U.S. Travel Lays Off Senior-Level Staffers Amid Restructuring

News Blog

Nearly Half of Destinations Offer Digital Nomad Visas: Analysis

Almost half of all global destinations now offer a digital nomad visa, according to a new analysis by the UN World Tourism Organization. Digital nomad visas allow individuals to live and work in a foreign country while maintaining employment in their home country. Here are some of the organization's key findings: 39% exempt digital nomads…

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

News Blog

Sedona Tourism Finds Promotion Funding Path

The Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau has formed a business improvement district with nine local hotels to fund its tourism promotion efforts, Skift has learned. Earlier this year, the tourism bureau severed its partnership with the City of Sedona because its local government wouldn't allow it to spend lodging tax funds on tourism…

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

News Blog

Americans Traveling Abroad Spent Record $18 Billion in September

Americans spent a record $18.3 billion traveling abroad in September, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office's latest data. International travelers spent $18.8 billion in September on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the U.S. That's up 24% from the year prior and the highest level of monthly spending since December 2019, the month…

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 weeks ago

Tourism

Disney Theme Parks Not Seeing ‘Economic Hangover’

Disney executives feel good about their theme parks division and don't see the economic slowdown everyone is talking about.

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 weeks ago

Disney Theme Parks Not Seeing ‘Economic Hangover’

Tourism

What Nearly 300 Vintage Posters Say About the Future of Travel

These nearly 300 vintage travel posters tell us companies will always chase the middle class and destinations will always win over tourists with their oldest sightseeing attractions.

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 weeks ago

What Nearly 300 Vintage Posters Say About the Future of Travel

News Blog

European Tourism Mostly Remains Well Below 2019 Levels: Fresh Data

About two-thirds of European destinations remain below their pre-pandemic number of international tourist arrivals, according to the European Travel Commission’s quarterly report released Tuesday. The report covered the first nine months of 2023. The destinations most far off from 2019 levels were Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania because of the Ukraine-Russia war. All three countries rely…

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 weeks ago

Tourism

Egypt Tourism Was Having a Record Year, but Cancellations Are Rising

If the conflict ends or remains contained, American travel to Egypt could recover faster than expected.

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 weeks ago

Egypt Tourism Was Having a Record Year, but Cancellations Are Rising

News Blog

Certares’ O’Hara to Take Up World Travel & Tourism Council Chair

Certares Founder and Senior Managing Director Greg O'Hara will be the next chair of the World Travel & Tourism Council. He starts later this month, the organization announced on Friday. O'Hara has served as vice chair since 2021 and has been a member of the organization 's executive committee since 2019. He will be taking…

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 weeks ago