Dennis Schaal Archives

Dennis Schaal is Skift’s Founding Editor and Executive Editor. Dennis has been a reporter focusing on online travel and short-term rentals for more than two decades at Skift, Tnooz, USA Today, and Travel Weekly. He is well-known for tough one-on-one interviews on stage at Skift events, including with the CEOs and top execs of Expedia, Uber, Booking Holdings, Priceline, Kayak, Hopper, and more.

Online Travel

Oyo’s Pending IPO Could Be Halved or Even Scuttled

Oyo's potential IPO has likely run head-on into the collapse of several recent public market debuts in India with a couple of lawsuits potentially figuring into the regulator's delayed decision. Oyo will eventually go public, but that maiden public appearance likely won't resemble the initial vision.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Short-Term Rentals

Vacasa Is On Top Now But Competition Is Coming

It isn't that Vacasa has no competition in North America in vacation rental management, but there isn't a strong challenger at the moment after Vacasa bought out its strongest competitors over the last two years. In such a hot market, look for that void to get filled pronto.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Online Travel

Google.com Gets Free Hotel Booking Links to Level Playing Field … A Tad

Pressure from regulators and maybe disgruntled partners prompted Google to add free booking links in search results and Maps in travel. Google certainly hasn't leveled the proverbial playing field among advertisers and non-advertisers, but hotels and smaller online travel agencies may see some benefit.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Short-Term Rentals

Mystery Software Firm Sparked Launch of an Inspirato Corp Rewards Plan

Hey, when opportunity knocks, answer the door if you think there is an ample addressable market. That's what Inspirato did as it develops a corporate rewards or incentive program and seeks to broaden its products into flights and adverture travel, as well.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Short-Term Rentals

Sonder Exec Claims Direct Traffic Is Not a Primary Objective

Just about every travel company — Sonder included — wants more direct bookings because of the lower costs and chance to build customer relationships. Still, Sonder may be at a growth stage where adding distribution channels can be an important hedge against over-reliance on the bigger ones.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

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Online Travel

Google and Trivago Are Still Selling Ads for Russia Hotels

Google Travel turned off Russia advertisers, but is still getting a limited amount of advertising for Russia travel from ad partners outside Russia. In contrast, Skyscanner and Kayak don't display any information about Russia travel.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Short-Term Rentals

Sonder Says New Public Company Visibility Helps Close Deals in Premium Locales

Sonder began feeling an adverse impact from the Omicron outbreak in late November 2021, and that spilled over into January and February, hurting its booking numbers. Still, the forecast is for a 2022 revenue jump of 100 to 110 percent as it inks new deals in more lucrative markets.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Tourism

Russia Travel: Which Travel Brands are In or Out

The global travel industry is split over doing business in Russia, although the vast majority of companies are abiding by the relevant economic sanctions. Moral outrage, self-interest, and disparate views over harming ordinary Russians are clashing big time.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Tour Operators

Russian Oligarch Resigns From TUI Group Board After EU Sanctions

Mordashov's resignation from the TUI Group supervisory board has to be a tremendous relief to the world's largest tour operator, which can now in large part get on with its business. However, there is a substantial hangover: With his shares frozen, Mordashov still remains TUI Group's largest shareholder.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago

Experiences

Expedia Ceases Sales to and From Russia

Expedia Group stepped out of the pack and ceased offering travel to and from Russia because of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The company doesn't have a ton of Russia-related business, so even if the move is more symbolic than anything else, it is an important statement.

Dennis Schaal | 4 years ago