TripAdvisor Bets on Activities and 8 Other Digital Trends This Week

>>The tours and activities sector is not hotels 2.0. It's a massive business opportunity, though. TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer estimated it will be about half the size of the hotel sector, with similar take rates. That's indeed very substantial: TripAdvisor CEO Doubles Estimate of Attractions Business to $2 Billion

>>Priceline showed up with a new brand and better partner access last week, which should please those who use the Points International network: Priceline Deal Means Closer Ties to Points International

>>Balancing our desires for more personalized experiences with regard for privacy will be a major challenge for travel brands like Hilton going forward: Skift Tech Forum Preview: Hilton’s Chief Commercial Officer on the Future of Personalized Travel

>>We can't wait to greet you next month in Silicon Valley. Watch our preview video for the biggest event in travel tech! We’re Less Than One Month Away From the Inaugural Skift Tech Forum

>>For augmented reality to catch on, apps need to use the technology for useful tools instead of gimmicks. We're starting to see the beginning of this shift and events should pay attention to ways augmented reality can enrich experiences instead of replacing them: Augmented Reality Is Silly Right Now But Won’t Be Forever

>>Everyone wants to get in on the tours and activities market, but very few can or have succeeded in the space: Marriott Integrates Facebook Messenger Into Its Tours and Activities Offering

>>Mobile platforms are making it easier to develop augmented reality experiences. The opportunity is emerging for conferences and events to make a big impact on the event experience through new and intuitive digital tools: Moving Toward an Augmented Future

>>As an airline, JetBlue Airways lags behind its peers in many metrics, including overall profit, on-time performance, and network strength. But it's trying to take the offensive by nurturing start-ups through its Silicon Valley venture capital subsidiary. Will this strategy lead to success? We'll know in a few years: Skift Tech Forum Preview: Why JetBlue Airways Entered the Venture Capital Business

>Divvy is an expense management startup that faces formidable competition from incumbent players, such as Concur, Certify, and Expensify. To draw users, it's offering business travel booking discounts and tools. Clever. Divvy Raises $10.5 Million to Tame Expense Reports: Travel Startup Funding This Week