Business Travel News

Watching how adoption of new distribution technology plays out in this early stage can give us a look into what to expect in the future. Especially if direct distribution ever moves into other areas of travel booking, like hotels.

Package holidays are still popular across much of Europe, and companies like Sunweb think there are plenty of opportunities for growth. Buying up rival tour operators helps with scale, as does the struggles of a competitor like Thomas Cook.

For years Intercontinental Hotels Group lacked the brands to truly compete at the luxury end of the hotels market, but by buying Regent and Six Senses, it has totally transformed its high-end offering.

With tensions between the U.S. and Iranian governments escalating, tour operators report that some Americans are rethinking their travel plans. However travelers from other countries are undeterred, and interest in Iran continues to grow.

Tourism to Sri Lanka was riding high until the Easter massacre all but shut it down. Now that foreign governments are scaling back their travel warnings, some travel advisors are again pushing the destination, hoping that tourism will help get the country back on its feet.

As antagonism intensifies between the Trump administration and Iran, some American tourists are rethinking plans to visit the country. Barring the start of military activity, tour operators say Iran is a safe and hospitable destination even for U.S. visitors.

In the age of overtourism, a top tourist attraction admitting they have a carrying capacity is a quietly radical act. For the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, it's one that has paid off.

Marriott is obviously pleased with the initial response to its homesharing product. With Airbnb making a big play in the luxury sector, it will be interesting to watch how things shape up.

Brand USA, the country's official tourism marketing arm, could go under if Congress doesn't act to secure its funding. The recent decline in international visitors to the U.S. would only get worse if marketing support is eliminated.

It's pretty clear there's a lot of consolidation going on in the travel management space, and there are no signs of that changing. With BCD's most recent investment, the company is in a good position to start planning future acquisitions in the Asia-Pacific region.