Google Hotels Revamps Mobile Features and 6 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.

>>Lyft is playing catch up in the corporate travel sector, and partnerships with the major global travel management companies are a good way to increase adoption. Uber’s lead, however, remains enormous: Lyft Finally Goes Corporate With Carlson Wagonlit Travel Deal

>>Google wants consumers to buy more travel on it. That may prompt industry players to closely patrol the gray line between the search giant referring more customers to them and Google becoming customers’ first choice for booking trips: Google Hotels Revamps Mobile Features as Its Ambitions Expand

>>Who’d have thought not annoying your customers was good for business? On the other hand, the supposed turnaround just happens to fit in nicely with a potential sales process: eDreams Claims Being Transparent Is Actually Good Business

>>“Siri: How will Apple respond to hotels adopting Amazon’s Alexa?” That’s the question: Amazon Wants More Hotels Using Alexa Voice-Powered Services

>>Business travelers in Europe are completely divided on how they prefer to book their work travel. Travel management companies need to make their online booking tools more compelling and easier to use: Half of European Business Travelers Shun Their Corporate Booking Tools

>>Hong Kong-based Klook has selected the Americas as its first stop for expansion outside Asia. To beat the deeply entrenched competition, it will have to find partners that can adapt to the needs of Asian travelers: Asian Activities Booking Platform Klook Heads to the Americas

>>After years of following startup funding trends, it’s tempting to move to a developing country to start an online travel agency or metasearch company. On the other hand, we can list dozens of reasons not to: Vietnamese Agency Vntrip Raises $10 Million: Travel Startup Funding This Week