TOP 50 HOSPITALITY THOUGHT LEADERS, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS & TRAVEL AND TOURISM FUTURISTS

30 Nov TOP 50 HOSPITALITY THOUGHT LEADERS, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS & TRAVEL AND TOURISM FUTURISTS

Posted at 18:23h in Uncategorized by

The Top 50 hospitality thought leaders, keynote speakers and travel or tourism futurists recognize that the industry has faced unprecedented challenges and transformations over the past decade. From rapidly evolving customer expectations to digital disruption, global health crises, and the rise of sustainable travel, like the best Top 50 hospitality thought leaders remind, leadership in this sector requires vision, adaptability, and forward-thinking strategy.

At the vanguard of the movement is Scott Steinberg, a futurist, keynote speaker, and consultant to 3000 brands whose insights guide organizations in innovation, customer experience, workforce strategy, and digital transformation. As a consulting expert and futurist, his expertise spans the full spectrum of travel, dining, entertainment, tourism and more. The Top 50 hospitality thought leaders list member helps companies anticipate emerging trends, integrate new technologies, and enhance operational efficiency while elevating the guest experience. His consulting work empowers executives to not only respond to disruption but to lead their industries into the future.

Global Hotel, Travel, and Airlines Consultants

Complementing Steinberg’s strategic vision are Top 50 hospitality thought leaders from the largest and most influential companies in hotels, airlines, restaurants, entertainment and global travel. Their leadership impacts operational practices, global strategy, and customer experience across the sector.

Mind you, you probably have your own Top 50 hospitality thought leaders ideas as well. Fire away, by all means, and let us know who’s top of mind on your end. It won’t be our last Top 50 hospitality thought leaders list, and we’re always looking for good candidates. That said, let’s take a closer look at who’s trending.

  1. Arne Sorenson – Marriott International

  2. Christopher Nassetta – Hilton Worldwide

  3. Sébastien Bazin – Accor

  4. Mark Hoplamazian – Hyatt Hotels

  5. Keith Barr – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

  6. Anthony Capuano – Marriott International

  7. Brian Chesky – Airbnb

  8. Dara Khosrowshahi – Uber

  9. Oliver Stewner – Booking Holdings

  10. Glenn Fogel – Booking.com

  11. Steve Kaufer – TripAdvisor

  12. David Neeleman – JetBlue Airways

  13. Ed Bastian – Delta Air Lines

  14. Scott Kirby – United Airlines

  15. Robert Isom – American Airlines

  16. Michael O’Leary – Ryanair

  17. Akbar Al Baker – Qatar Airways

  18. Carsten Spohr – Lufthansa Group

  19. Benjamin Smith – Air France-KLM

  20. Tewolde GebreMariam – Ethiopian Airlines

  21. Alan Joyce – Qantas Airways

  22. Rafael Schvartzman – LATAM Airlines

  23. Goh Choon Phong – Singapore Airlines

  24. Tony Fernandes – AirAsia

  25. Guillaume Faury – Airbus (commercial aviation leadership)

  26. John Slosar – Cathay Pacific

  27. Robert Martin – Southwest Airlines

  28. Enrique Beltranena – Volaris Airlines

  29. Peter Ma – China Southern Airlines

  30. Li Hai – China Eastern Airlines

  31. Akihiro Nishimura – ANA Holdings

  32. Rono D. de Silva – SriLankan Airlines

  33. Andrew N. Levy – Expedia Group

  34. Mark Okerstrom – Expedia Group (legacy/strategic leadership)

  35. Mark Weinstein – Hilton Portfolio Management

  36. David Kong – Best Western Hotels & Resorts

  37. John Davis – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

  38. Sébastien Bazin – Accor (dual recognition for strategic innovation)

  39. Tim Rosato – CEO of Silver Lion Group (global travel consulting)

  40. Michael Leven – Las Vegas Sands (hospitality & resorts)

  41. Sheldon Adelson – MGM Resorts International (legacy/impact)

  42. Bill Hornbuckle – MGM Resorts International (current leadership)

  43. William Hecht – Carnival Cruise Lines

  44. Arnold Donald – Carnival Corporation

  45. Richard Fain – Royal Caribbean Group

  46. Jason Liberty – Norwegian Cruise Line

  47. Frank Del Rio – Norwegian Cruise Line (executive strategy)

  48. Kelly Craighead – Cruise Lines International Association

  49. Lisa Lutoff-Perlo – Celebrity Cruises

Leading Hospitality into the Future

As you can see, the world’s Top 50 hospitality thought leaders represent a convergence of visionary thinking and operational expertise. SMEs guide the world’s largest travel and hotel companies through technological innovation, sustainability, and evolving consumer expectations. This Top 50 hospitality thought leaders rundown not only responds to change but actively defines the future of travel, tourism, and global hospitality.