Skift Take

This week in digital news we concentrated on online travel agencies: growing pains, the hedge funds that invest in them, Despegar's IPO, and the CEOs who'll speak at Skift Global Forum.

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.

>>Being a pure play flight seller is a business approach that has probably had its day (unless you can guarantee huge volumes). Lastminute.com Group’s diversification strategy over the last few years makes sense but if it is going to work it will take time: Lastminute.com’s Growing Pains Show Change in Online Travel Retail

>>Bank of America has a new premium loyalty credit card for the travel industry, but its uses may be limited. Still, for the right kind of traveler the new card can end up being very lucrative: Business of Loyalty: Bank of America Steps Into the Premium Travel Credit Card Game

>>From overtourism and artificial intelligence to direct booking campaigns and the latest deals, there’s a lot of ground to cover with the most influential decision-makers in online travel: Skift Global Forum 2017: Learn From Online Travel’s Most Influential CEOs

>>Uber’s refreshed business platform will help streamline corporate rideshare use, especially for unmanaged travel programs: Uber for Business Got an Update That Gives Companies More Control

>>Innovation in event technology today relates as much to how planners use the platforms that already exist, as compared to new advancements in the technology itself: Meeting Planners Are Struggling With the Fast Evolution of Event Technology

>>While technology specifically designed for meetings and events continues to evolve, planners are, in some cases, struggling to keep up with the fast pace of that evolution: When Event Technology Is the Problem Instead of the Solution — Meetings Innovation Report

>>Follow the money — at your own risk, of course. These two hedge funds are putting their money in airline and online travel agency stocks, often investing in competitors. Rising tides lift all boats, after all: Travel-Tilting Hedge Funds Are Investing in Airlines and Online Travel Agencies

>>There is a ton of variation in the behavior of travelers from different countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Travel companies should pay more attention to the specific needs of the travelers they’re trying to reach: Social-Media Influencers Have Little Sway Over Asia-Pacific Travelers

>>Despegar is on track to attract a $1 billion valuation. That’s impressive. But its newish CEO needs to pivot the business away from a reliance on selling airline tickets, which are becoming less profitable for his firm by the day: Despegar Files for $100 Million IPO and Expedia Could Benefit From Its Growth

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Tags: digital, Travel Trends, trends roundups

Photo credit: Par Capital Management in the second quarter increased its stakes in Avis Budget Group, Delta, El Dorado Resorts, Red Rock Resorts and Trivago. Trivago

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