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 many of the challengers to legacy brands and systems have gained legitimacy and formed partnerships this year, we’re still in the early stages: 5 New Travel Startups Creating Disruption on Fault Lines of the Travel Industry

>>Ctrip’s acquisition of Skyscanner is one of those moments that mattered in 2016: Exclusive: Ctrip CEO on Global Ambitions, Skyscanner Buy and the Priceline Relationship

>>Too often the definition of an influencer is misconstrued with reach and popularity, which should be the added bonuses or afterthoughts: 6 Charts Showing How Social Media Influencers Work With Brands

>>As with Cendyn and Guestfolio, further consolidation is likely in the hotel marketing and loyalty sector: Cendyn Buys Guestfolio to Expand Its Hotel Digital Marketing Solutions

>>With Vista already owning Lanyon, the writing was on the wall for this merger: Event Tech Leaders Cvent and Lanyon Announce Merger

>>When it comes to new tech platforms and technologies such as voice-activated search with Amazon Alexa, the advantage, in the short term, goes to the big travel tech and marketing companies: Expedia Turns to Amazon Alexa for Its First Attempt at Voice Search

>>As CEO Gareth Williams says, the Ctrip deal means that nothing and everything changes for Skyscanner: Interview: Skyscanner’s CEO on the Ctrip Acquisition and the Future of Metasearch

>>Smartphone users of travel apps don’t have many apps downloaded at a time, but are willing to try an app based on recommendations from family and friends: Google Thinks Smartphone Users Want Travel Discounts and Destination Advice

>>Knowing the most widely shared attractions and hotels gives brands a window into how travelers perceive destinations: The Most Popular Hotels and Destinations on Instagram in 2016

>>Ctrip, when acquiring Skyscanner, should call up, or at least compare notes with, companies as varied as Sabre, Travelocity, the Priceline Group, and Expedia: The Pitfalls and Perils of Online Travel Acquisitions

insights

Get Skift Research

Skift Research products provide deep analysis, data, and expert research on the companies and trends that are shaping the future of travel.

See What You're Missing

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: Travel Trends, trends roundups

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

Up Next

Loading next stories