Priceline Buys Momondo for $550 Million and 10 Other Digital Trends 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.

>>India’s public company stars MakeMyTrip and Yatra get all the attention in travel. But several startups have the execution chops and the support of experts like Sequoia Capital and Amadeus to thrive: 5 New Travel Startups From India That Have Momentum

>>Facebook will be cracking down on how many ads it includes in newsfeeds. Instagram, however, is a promising bet: Facebook Says Instagram Advertising Looks Promising For Travel Brands in 2017

>>Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams is the rare Western executive to have played his cards right in China, in light of the successful recent sale to Chinese giant Ctrip of the price-comparison company he co-founded: Skift Forum Europe: Skyscanner’s CEO Is Looking Beyond Scale

>>Travel spending is stable globally. Nobody is really sure what 2017 will hold for leisure or business travel, however: Payments Giants See Headwinds Affecting Travel in 2017

>>The acquisition of the Momondo Group is the Priceline Group’s largest since buying OpenTable — and subsequently having to take a write down — in 2014. Through the acquisition, Kayak gets a strong brand in parts of Europe and ensures that no other rivals step in to take Momondo away from it: Priceline Buys Momondo for $550 Million to Expand in Europe

>>Virtual reality is finally going mainstream in 2017. Travel brands and event planners are leveraging that demand to engage their audiences in more impactful ways: Travel Brands and Meeting Planners Are Using Virtual Reality to Drive Conversion

>>We have the technology, as they used to say on TV’s “The Six Million Dollar Man.” We have the capability to make booking flights on mobile better than it was before. Better… stronger… faster: Flight Metasearch Analysis: Why Are Sites Slow to Add Instant Booking?

>>This week, TravelTriangle, an India-based online marketplace for travelers and agents, receives a fresh round of funding that brings its total raised to $19.9 million, while Lola has added $10 million to its Series B: TravelTriangle and Lola Each Raise $10 Million More: Travel Startup Funding This Week

>>Expedia’s CEO says his company has momentum moving into 2017, although we heard him express similar sentiments over the last two quarters and any surge wasn’t particularly noticeable: Expedia CEO Defends His Portfolio Despite Rivals’ Recent Acquisitions

>>In the long-run, Expedia will have gained by acquiring Orbitz because of its brand recognition, effective loyalty program, and list of corporate deals. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is especially optimistic about taking Orbitz’s private label functionality and bringing it to the flagship Expedia brand later this year: Expedia Still Bullish on Orbitz Despite Missteps

>>It makes sense to branch out into on-demand services, in the vein of its Eat24 product, and away from advertising, which it has struggled to grow over the last year: Yelp Says Election Blues Helped Reduce Its Expectations for 2017