PhocusWire editorial team's favorite interviews of 2020

The 2019 version of this article was full of optimism and, dare we say, a bit of unusually self-congratulatory navel-gazing on our part after a successful second year of operations for PhocusWire.

We wrote of key attributes that make for a good interview, including being thought-provoking and entertaining, giving people a new perspective on a subject or trend and making readers want to learn more about the interviewee.

These elements still ring true, but 2020 has been an entirely different type of year.

While the entertainment factor may have slipped somewhat, we are proud to have continued our long-standing tradition of providing excellent interviews with many of the movers and shakers in the travel and wider digital worlds.

So as we look forward to better times ahead in 2021, we invite you to feast on our favorite interviews of the last 12 months.

New Reality With... Rohit Talwar of Fast Future

New Reality With... Christian Watts of Magpie Travel

Q&A: How border control technology could ease the spread of COVID-19

SITA border management director Peter Sutcliffe explains how technology traditionally used to find criminals is being developed to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Read the full interview here.

InPhocus interview with Jamie-Lee Abtar, executive director of BAME Women In Travel

Q&A: Airbnb's Joe Gebbia talks milestone IPO

The Airbnb co-founder speaks to Airbnb's debut on the public markets, how it has adapted during the pandemic and the company’s long-term vision. 

Read the full interview here.

New Reality With... Kurt Ekert of CWT

New Reality With... Maud Bailly of Accor

Phocuswright Conference 2020 - Ginny Clarke, director of executive recruitment for Google

New Reality With... Fred Lalonde of Hopper

New Reality With... Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg of Valerie Wilson Travel

Q&A: TripActions CEO on how he is preparing for “the day after” COVID-19

Ariel Cohen discusses recent layoffs, what he is hearing from his investors and why he is optimistic about the future of business travel and of TripActions.

Read the full interview here.