Kayak and Momondo Combine and 5 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.

>>Egencia's ambitious growth will likely pressure two of the remaining global travel management companies to merge as a defensive move: Egencia Is Growing Fast but Corporate Travel Rivals Still Dominate Large Accounts

>>Expedia poured money into Trivago marketing at a loss. Current Priceline Group CEO Glenn Fogel just spent $550 million on helping Kayak grow. Does this mean he’s going to open the bankroll even further to assist Kayak-Momondo in its expansion? Kayak-Momondo: What to Watch for as the Companies Combine

>>Instant booking has long been thought of as a natural progression for the metasearch sector, so it is interesting to note the cautious tone adopted by Momondo’s Chief Executive: Skift Forum Europe: Momondo Group’s CEO on Personalization in Metasearch

>>The bar for success is higher than usual for these companies because of their unlikeliness: an online seller of cruise trips, a traditional "high street" travel agency, a network of freelance photographers, and a maker of eyewear that records 360-degree-video: Dreamlines Raises $19 Million for Its Cruise Site: Travel Startup Funding This Week

>>TripAdvisor became the largest travel site in the world based on its high profile in free search results. But Google has become a hyper-monetized marketplace and TripAdvisor's competitors have the resources to grossly outspend it in digital marketing: TripAdvisor Rethinks Marketing as It Tries to Solve Instant Booking Problems

>>Google's paid-search and product practices enable the big -- like Expedia -- to get bigger. So what's not to like? Although other businesses that aren't as well-positioned as Expedia and the Priceline Group undoubtably take a more critical view: Expedia CFO on Google Relationship — The Positives and Negatives Balance Out