Business Travel News

Consumers are so overwhelmed by choice these days, they sometimes simply give up on travel plans altogether. Brands like American Express Travel are hoping to end that lamentable state of affairs by combining old-school service with new technological tools that make the complete “customer journey” both high tech and high touch.

Airports and airline carriers should be equipped for an influx of competition in the air travel sector, much of it due to an increasing number of low-cost airlines and secondary airports. To be well-positioned, they should look for partners that have access to qualified audiences at scale.

Given the state of the traditional retail industry, on the surface this appears to be a risky deal. But Hays Travel is a profitable, growing business and will probably have secured the assets at a knockdown price. The company knows better than most how to make shops work.

Is everything on target in the evolution of Airbnb's Experiences business? It's clearly not profitable yet after three years, and the leadership change at the top signals problems. That doesn't mean it's fatally flawed although this isn't precisely the portrait you want to paint on the cusp of Airbnb going public next year.

Shore excursions offered by third-party companies are growing in popularity among passengers and travel advisors alike. Independent options tend to offer more customization than ship-sponsored tours while also offering financial benefits for travel advisors.

Locally curated retail provides hotel brands with an opportunity to continuously evolve and stay current within a neighborhood, all while deepening their connection among guests and the local community.

Independent shore excursions are proliferating, enabling passengers to avoid the crowds and travel advisors to earn commissions. With competition more intense, some cruise lines are attempting to improve their excursion offerings as a result.

Travel advisors need to further diversify their revenue beyond commissions. That's for sure.

As meeting planners worldwide look for unique venues and programming that will wow attendees, Thailand is stepping up its meetings and incentives efforts. Big investments in infrastructure, hotels, venues, and transportation networks — not to mention top-flight food and gorgeous beaches — are already paying multi-million dollar dividends.

Travel management startups are targeting employees at small businesses, in the hopes they'll influence management. This strategy is working, and even larger companies are starting to change the way they design their travel policies.