Expedia CEO on Online Booking War and 10 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.

>>Facebook wants to become a stronger player for driving trip inspiration and travel bookings, particularly direct bookings: Facebook Has a New Ad Product Tailor-Made for Travel Brands

>>Many travelers are generally more open to using new technology than other groups. But the pay-off has to be clear and transparency is paramount for a campaign like this to work: Hawaii Has Launched a Facial Recognition Marketing Campaign to Help Travelers Plan Trips

>>Is a new travel startup any match for the power of Google, the original and likely only effective trip planner? 5 New Travel Startups With New Takes on Local Discovery

>>Always a cool character, Dara Khosrowshahi is steering a basically steady ship as online travel competitors become more disruptive: Expedia CEO Says Rumors of an Online Booking War Are Exaggerated

>>It’s hard to disagree with the fact that travel planning and booking are set for a social revolution. But how long will it be until voice-controlled interfaces hit the mainstream? Expedia, Priceline Founders Say Voice-Based Search Is the Next Frontier in Travel

>>Travel marketers would be wise to take a data-driven approach, rather than falling back on stereotypes, which makes for lazy messaging: Travel Marketers Should Follow the Data on Millennials, Not Stereotypes

>>OTAs have had it their own way for a long time but the boss of Booking.com seemed relaxed about the future: Booking.com CEO: Direct and Third-Party Bookings Can Peacefully Co-Exist

>>Google says it wants to provide users with the best answers and connect them to online travel agencies, airlines, and hotels. But Google could also provide greater booking functionality one day soon: Google Exec Says Master Plan in Travel Is More Connector Than Booker

>>In a funny twist of fate, the man who helped drive consumers away from traditional travel agents with Kayak is now building a business around them: Kayak Co-Founder Paul English Plans to Open Up Lola App to Travel Agents Worldwide

>>Two headlines here: TripAdvisor CEO remains adamantly committed to Instant Booking — and he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon: TripAdvisor CEO Kaufer Defiantly Vows to Stay Committed to Instant Booking

>>Will Facebook become a bigger middleman in the future than it already is? We have our money on yes: Facebook Doesn’t Want to Be Middleman Between Travel Brands And Consumers