Investors Shift Focus to Physical Travel Assets Amid AI Boom
At the Skift Global Forum, AOL co-founder Steve Case and Certares founder Greg O'Hara said the AI boom is increasing their interest in hard travel assets like land, luxury homes, wellness resorts, and high-speed trains. They argued that as digital life expands, people increasingly seek real places and real interactions, making tangible travel experiences more valuable.
The discussion took place at the Skift Global Forum in New York City on September 23, 2026. Case, who helped bring consumer internet access to millions through AOL, has recently turned his investment attention toward the travel sector. O'Hara's Certares is currently involved in a $6.3 billion transaction involving American Express Global Business Travel.
Both investors frame their strategy as a response to technological acceleration. Rather than doubling down on digital travel services, they see growing scarcity value in physical destinations that cannot be replicated or streamed. Their focus areas include premium vacation rentals, wellness-oriented resorts, and rail infrastructure serving high-demand tourist regions.
This investment shift could signal a broader rebalancing in travel as artificial intelligence reshapes daily life. If prominent investors steer capital toward tangible assets, it may influence how destinations develop and how travelers experience them — potentially making exclusive physical locations even more sought-after. Luxury travelers could see new high-end offerings, while the emphasis on scarce places might raise questions about accessibility and pricing for ordinary tourists.