2013 Archives

The PayPal tweak is in Priceline's interests because just about anything that makes booking a hotel easier should bolster business. It is possible that Priceline can reduce its credit card costs when travelers use PayPal, as well.

As airlines worldwide introduce connectivity and ease device usage rules, the competition among service providers including Gogo, Panasonic, ViaSat, and Row 44 will intensify.

Increased advertising, lowering cruise prices and trying to win back the hearts and minds of travel agents have been key to Carnival's brand-rebuilding efforts. Advanced bookings for 2014, even though they are on par with last year's lower pricing, have been sluggish, pointing to the challenges ahead for Carnival.

From embracing TripAdvisor to empowering hotels to take social media into their own hands, Four Season has taken chances on digital that are paying off.

California ranks among the top three most visited states for domestic and international travelers, but the frequency with which it shows up on social media highlights the breadth and diversity of attractions throughout the state.

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By bringing in former Continental chairman and CEO Larry Kellner as Sabre chairman, and installing Tom Klein as the new CEO, Sabre is signaling that it is readying a strategic move, possibly an IPO, in the near future. The Travelocity deal with Expedia, Travelocity divestments of zuji and Travelocity Business, and these layoffs may all be pieces of the puzzle.

Increased airline fees are almost always discussed in a negative light, but are also largely to credit for airlines' growing profits that lead to job creation instead of loss.

Hey, the airline business is rough, and with this acquisition Amadeus gets diversification, and a much bigger foothold into the hotel sector, particularly for groups and events. Companies such as Pegasus, Sabre, and Trust International could feel the competitive impact.

Although these companies represent only a piece of the growing vacation rental market, their calculated combination suggests that other rental competitors could see the benefits in similar deals in the next few years.