TripAdvisor’s Hotels Business and 8 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.

>>It’s going to happen – eventually: Which Online Booking Site Will Be First to Get Hotels’ Direct Rates?

>>Travel startups are no doubt fun ideas: State of Travel 2016: Illustrating Travel Startups in 6 Charts

>>It’s not a huge surprise that TripAdvisor wants to offer hotels’ lowest rates: TripAdvisor Wants a Piece of Hotels’ Book-Direct Special Rates

>>The Freddies have the balance consistently right: These Are the Latest Entrants for the Best Loyalty Programs of 2016

>>The Group currently lists 423,285 alternative accommodations: Priceline Group’s Earnings Reveal Its Alternative Accommodations Ambitions

>>The vacation rental sector is highly fragmented: Vacation Rental Startups Attract $100 Million in Funding So Far This Year

>>One wonders how smaller corporate travel management companies are being affected: Egencia Continues Growth Even as Corporate Spending Tightens

>>The app’s beta release expands Google’s footprint in the travel ecosystem: Google’s New Travel App Is a Mashup of Guidebook and TripIt

>>Companies are spending less on travel: Limited Corporate Travel Growth Is Sabre’s Biggest Issue in North America