Skyscanner CEO on the Ctrip Acquisition and 10 Other Digital Trends This Week

Sarah Enelow

December 4th, 2016 at 1:30 PM EST

Photo Credit: Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams. His company has been acquired by Ctrip for $1.7 billion. VisMedia / VisMedia

Skift Take

These are the digital trends we were talking about this week.

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines digital trends. For all of our weekend roundups, go here. >>For now, Airbnb Trips is mostly a threat to the tours and activities sector. But it's not much of a stretch to imagine the service evolving into a full-blown online travel agency: What Airbnb Trips Means for Airlines — Digital Marketing News This Week >>While man

Cruises

The Alaska Experiment That Could Reshape How Cruise Lines Navigate Wildlife

Alaska’s reputation as a bucket list cruise destination rests largely on its wildlife encounters, especially whale sightings. MSC Cruises is treating its first season in the region as a research opportunity, exploring how marine science can guide operations in high-density wildlife corridors.

MSC Cruises + Skift | 1 week ago

Why High-Spend First-Timers Could Be a Destination’s Most Expensive Mistake

First-timers spend more per trip. Repeat visitors spend less. But the math still favors loyalty.

Saniya Zanpure | 1 hour ago

Airlines

IndiGo Suspends 7 International Routes: What’s Behind the Cutbacks

India's two biggest airlines spent the last few years expanding aggressively abroad. IndiGo leased wide-body aircraft for the first time. Air India was looking to rebuild into a world-class global carrier. Both are now in retreat, at least temporarily, from some of those ambitions.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 4 hours ago

Travel Technology

Airbnb’s Brian Chesky Is Creating an AI Lab

Is Brian Chesky development of a new AI Lab outside of Airbnb an acknowledgement that building AI capabilities within Airbnb hasn't been up to par? Or are some tech developments like AI too large to sit out without having more skin in the game?

Dennis Schaal | 15 hours ago

Tourism

The U.S.’ Own Goal: Why World Cup Expectations Deflated

World Cup host cities were promised a once-in-a-generation tourism surge. The lift is real, but some cities’ results are well below expectations.

Bailey Schulz | 20 hours ago

First read is on us.

Get unlimited access with Skift Pro.

Unlock your next read

Skyscanner CEO on the Ctrip Acquisition and 10 Other Digital Trends This Week

Skift Take

Get unlimited access with Skift Pro.

BILLED ANNUALLY

BILLED MONTHLY

Unlock your next read

First read is on us.

Skift Take

Share