Expedia’s Heavy Hand Is Working for HomeAway and 8 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.

>>While it’s interesting to note Skyscanner’s growth in hotels and car hire, commission from flight searches is still the source of most of its revenue. It seems likely that the company will look to take a bigger slice of the airline market rather than push too hard into other areas: Skyscanner Is Seeing Growth in Its Hotel and Car Rental Business

>>It’s surprising that Momondo Group CEO Hugo Burge would depart the moment the acquisition of his brands by Priceline Group would close. But Kayak’s promise of boosted marketing spend suggests the Momondo and Cheapflight brands will live on: Momondo CEO Exits Company as Acquisition by Kayak Closes

>>Trivago is bold to take on the giants Booking.com and Expedia Inc. by debuting hotel data services, too. But its rate-shopping tool is better designed and possibly more powerful than what its rivals offer. Game on: Trivago Joins Rivals in Offering Hotels a Rate-Shopping Tool

>>Amazon’s subscription model — which has already disrupted music, groceries, and retail — could be the key to travel brands unlocking more revenue per customer. Here’s the lowdown on the latest tests: Business of Loyalty: What the Travel Industry Could Learn From Amazon Prime

>>This report represents the launch of our coverage of Asia, offering insights into both Ctrip and the online travel market more broadly: New Research Report: A Deep Dive Into Ctrip and the China Online Travel Market 2017

>>Expedia’s minority investment in Traveloka, a household name among travel players in Indonesia, makes sense. The company has struggled to gain share in Southeast Asia and a partnership can fill the gap: Expedia to Invest $350 Million in Indonesia Booking Site Traveloka

>>FabHotel’s franchise model joins peers OYO and Treebo in a promising effort to tame the famously fractured budget segment in India by applying consistent standards of service and marketing: FabHotels Secures $25 Million in a Goldman Sachs-Led Round: Travel Startup Funding This Week

>>Messaging was once the darling of the travel industry and for some brands it still is. But video continues to be what many brands are focusing on and monetizing that trend is a priority for Facebook: Facebook Video and Ads Are Driving Its Business More Than Messaging

>>Expedia doesn’t really care about the noise coming from some disgruntled vacation rental owners. The company is focused on scaling HomeAway’s vacation rental business, and having online bookable properties is the formula for the future: Expedia’s Heavy Hand Is Working for HomeAway