Patrick Whyte

The low-cost, long-haul revolution is only just starting to take off. Will full-service carriers be able to adapt to this new reality or are we about to see a total realignment?

If nothing else, Airbnb will be hoping the funding gets it some much-needed good public relations at a time when it is coming under increasing pressure in several key European cities.

Making a city smarter requires new ideas, and these fresh concepts need testing. The public sector shouldn't be afraid of trying new things and failing as long as the trials are targeted and don't cost too much money.

Prime Minister Theresa May's reputation has been shattered by her own hubristic behaviour and she is only clinging onto power through a loose alliance with another party. The UK is in a much weakened position as it prepares to start Brexit negotiations.

While there is no specific mention of the big Gulf airlines, they would likely be a target for any new measure designed to rein in supposed anti-competitive practices. European airlines, alongside those in the U.S., have long said the likes of Emirates and Etihad have an unfair advantage. European airlines surely welcome any new rule that attempts to level the playing field.

Chief executive pay at Europe's biggest publicly traded travel companies appears to have converged in 2016 with few bumper deals compared with previous years. It could just be a coincidence or might have something to do with the deteriorating economic climate and geopolitical issues.

Kayak's new ad blitz isn't the world's most political ad campaign but it is still good to see a company unafraid of standing up for what it believes in.

Cities across Europe are wising up to the potential problem of too many tourists. Those tasked with marketing an "at risk" destination are going to have to work harder to spread tourism over a wider area in order to dilute the potential negative impact.

Business-to-business travel companies might not be as attractive as their business-to-consumer siblings but they can still command a hefty price tag. CarTrawler is one of Ireland's best-known travel tech companies, and a new owner would likely look to push the company into new areas.

Party manifestos should be treated with a healthy degree of skepticism. Still it is revealing to see what the priorities are and perhaps more importantly what they decide to leave out.