The Amazon Factor and 7 Other Digital Trends This Week
Skift Take
Digital Travel News Weekly Roundup
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.>>Nothing quite gets the attention of travel executives these days like the mere mention of Amazon. Will it get in? Will it stay on the sidelines? We'll explore all the implications on Tuesday, July 10 at 1 p.m. EST on a Skift Call. Please join us for this all-important discussion: Skift Call July 10: The Amazon Factor
>>Amazon is posing a threat. Chinese tourists are spotted everywhere and the loyalty war is getting ever more intense. Common threads? It's a disruptive phase for travel that requires nimble strategies: Amazon, Group Travel, and Loyalty: 3 Charts From Our Skift Research Reports
>>Of course Google could become an online travel agency if it wanted to, but why would it want to jeopardize such a lucrative revenue stream in terms of ad dollars it receives from booking sites? Video: Why Google Is Happy Sticking With Search
>>People who want to select a non-smoking room are shown options at most booking sites. The industry needs to be just as helpful for travelers with specific needs for mobility, hearing, or visual challenges. Thankfully several online booking sites are trying to help: Online Travel Players Boost Accessibility for Travelers With Disabilities
>>Travel hasn't invested in marketing and sales solutions like bots on Facebook in the same way that other global industries have. A spirit of experimentation is necessary, particularly since online advertising is usually a costly endeavor for travel companies: Video: Selling Travel on Facebook Remains a Work in Progress
>>Perhaps there is such thing as a free lunch. It just requires a Priority Pass membership: Why Priority Pass Is Expanding Into Restaurants and Mini-Suites
>>Are consumers discarding price-consciousness for convenience? Uber is convenient, but it's also cheap. These dueling preferences aren't clear-cut, and the trends will remain complex: Video: Naspers Group Investment Exec Sees Consumer Focus Shifting From Price to Convenience
>>The past week has seen remarkable fundings of a cross-border payments company, Airwallex, a luggage maker, Away, and a social travel recommendation service, Fever. Of all of these, "fever" has the name that best captures the frothy valuations: Airwallex Receives $80 Million for Payments Tech: Travel Startup Funding This Week
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