Ctrip’s Growth Strategies 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.

>>Don’t miss out on hearing from one of the most diverse and relevant collections of brands at any travel conference: Skift Global Forum 2017: Facebook, Delta and More Big Brands

>>Vantiv’s $10.4 billion acquisition of Worldpay creates a payments-processing powerhouse with a huge hand in helping travel businesses boost online and mobile purchases. Due to competition from new rivals, fees are unlikely to spike yet: Travel Payments Sees $10.4 Billion Merger That Makes Worldpay a Stronger Competitor

>>In India, market leader MakeMyTrip is betting on a multi-pronged strategy to defend itself against the intrusion of Booking.com on its turf. Execution matters. But so does the patience of MakeMyTrip’s key backer, Ctrip: MakeMyTrip Puts a Brave Face on Booking.com Encroachment

>>Travelport’s distribution deal with India’s largest online travel agency suggests that it can punch above its weight. But Travelport still faces a struggle against its much larger competitors: Travelport Signs MakeMyTrip Deal as the India Online Travel Agency Diversifies Its Distributors for Now

>>Ctrip dominates online travel in China and will benefit from the continued shift from offline to online bookings. Additionally, the company is pushing more into the lucrative outbound market. We discuss these trends and more with CEO Jane Jie Sun: Interview: Ctrip CEO on Growth Strategies and Employee Empowerment

>>Airlines around the world are looking to revamp their distribution and merchandising efforts. Most of the innovation is happening in Europe right now, but U.S. airlines are starting to experiment, as well: 4 Takeaways on the Future of Travel Distribution and the Accompanying Channel Shock