AI Compresses Online Travel Agencies' Role

At the Skift Megatrends event in New York on Thursday, Altimeter Capital partner Thomas Reiner and Skift head of research Seth Borko debated how quickly artificial intelligence will reshape travel distribution. Reiner warned that online travel agencies face structural decline as AI takes over discovery, while Borko emphasized timing and value capture. The debate underscores urgency for travel firms to adapt distribution strategies.