Inside Sabre’s Hotel Software Unit Sale and Other Top Stories This Week

Sabre Quietly Looks to Shed Hotel Software Unit: Surprise! Sabre has been shopping around its non-core unit that helps hoteliers handle reservations, sources said. A sale might be good for the hospitality business by giving it a home that could further support its growth.

TripActions Reportedly Files Paperwork to Go Public at $12 Billion Valuation: The corporate travel startup is picking an odd moment with financial markets generally in turmoil, but it’s clearly banking on continued recovery in the sector.

Hotels Crank Up TikTok Marketing in Pursuit of Authenticity-Seeking Guests: Well-done short-form videos create a feeling of authenticity. No wonder savvy independent hotel brands are using the social media app TikTok to offer casual, energizing peeks at their properties.

Russia Looks to India to Fill Tourism Void: Tourism to Russia has taken an enormous hit since the country’s invasion of Ukraine. An economy hurt by sanctions doesn’t help in its pitch to travelers either. But Russia sees opportunities with India’s outbound travelers.

Full Video: Waze CEO Neha Parikh at Skift Global Forum 2022: Waze, owned by Google, has huge potential to change the way cities move, as they place a renewed focus on mobility and community. Watch CEO Neha Parikh explain why the technology is much more than a navigation app.

Full Video: Airbnb CEO at Skift Global Forum 2022: Don’t miss Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky in one of his most comprehensive sit-downs ever, on stage at Skift Global Forum with Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali. Watch as he talks about why the future of travel may be potatoes (joke) and why performance marketing is like a drug (no joke).

Airbnb, Google and Agoda Hint at Upcoming Search and Fintech Features: Airbnb needs to provide more information to guests about hosts, and making them more searchable would be an improvement. The fear, though, is that such information would make it easier for guests to book directly with hosts and bypass Airbnb.

Full Video: Expedia Group Chairman Barry Diller at Skift Global Forum 2022: Many will argue that Barry Diller’s views are contrarian, but he’s indeed correct that many sustainability programs are puffery.

Priceline Adds Experiences From TUI Musement: Experiences aren’t a financial game-changer for most online travel companies, but they are a must-have regardless.

What’s Next for Travel With Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel: Listen in for a discussion from Skift Global Forum featuring the CEO of Booking Holdings and Skift’s in-house online travel expert.