Expedia and Direct Bookings and 5 Other Digital Trends This Week

Every week we post hundreds of stories across various sectors in travel, connecting the dots across various global trends, and in these weekend posts we highlight the stories that tackle these trends. This one looks at top digital trends.

For all of our trends roundups, go here.

>>This is the new normal: Expedia Wants to Power Hotels’ Direct-Booking Efforts

>>Expedia obviously has vested interests: Exclusive: Expedia Argues That Hotel Owners Are Losers in Direct-Booking Push

>>Lyft is challenging Uber’s dominant market share: Lyft Gains on Uber in Corporate Travel, While Taxi Use Plummets

>>In the world of business travel, virtual cards and mobile payments represent something of a holy grail: Corporate Travel Struggling to Implement Mobile and Virtual Payments

>>The substitution effect is real: Skift Survey: More Evidence of Uber Becoming a Rental Car Replacement

>>Airbnb’s new user-generated city guides feature suggests the company has aspirations that extend well beyond hospitality: Airbnb’s Local Commerce Moves and More Digital Marketing News This Week