In this Good Morning Hospitality bonus episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Sam Shank, co-founder and former CEO of HotelTonight, at Skift Global Forum to discuss how AI agents could reshape online travel distribution. Shank explains why AI-driven booking could challenge the sponsored search model that has fueled major online travel agencies like Booking.com and Expedia, while creating new opportunities for specialized agents and booking infrastructure.
The conversation explores how hotels and vacation rentals can maintain visibility as travelers shift toward AI-powered discovery, why Shank would reposition HotelTonight as a specialist agent for last-minute accommodations, and how trust, privacy, and security will influence adoption. Shank also shares his perspective on the future relationship between general-purpose AI assistants and specialized travel agents.
