Latest News about Online Travel Booking Sites and OTAs by Skift

Skift Tech Forum Preview: HotelTonight Executive Cuts Through the Hype of Big Data

Deanna Ting, Skift

A lot of brands talk a big game about data science, but few know how to use it to their advantage and to the benefit of their consumers. HotelTonight's chief data and strategy officer Amanda Richardson will cut through the hype on stage at Skift Tech Forum on June 12.

2 hours ago

Kayak to Help Flyers Get Compensated for Delayed and Canceled Flights

Sean O'Neill, Skift

Some airlines will not be happy that Kayak has lent its credibility and, in effect, its customer base, to startups that specialize in travel claims compensation. The claims cost airlines money. But Kayak still likes doing things a bit different from the other global online players.

2 hours ago

TripAdvisor Bets on Activities and 8 Other Digital Trends This Week

Sarah Enelow, Skift

Once again this week we heard of the mighty potential of tours and activities, this time from TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer. Meanwhile, personalization continues to be a theme on the minds of many travel executives these days.

4 days ago

Trivago Spins Alternative Accommodations as Its Ace in the Hole

Dennis Schaal, Skift

In some ways, Trivago and TripAdvisor find themselves in similar situations, although TripAdvisor has more upside because of its global brand awareness and the breadth of its offerings. But both need time to play the long game. In Trivago's case, it is now seeing alternative accommodations as a potential life line.

5 days ago

TripAdvisor CEO Doubles Estimate of Attractions Business to $2 Billion

Dennis Schaal, Skift

The tours and activities sector is not hotels 2.0. It's a massive business opportunity, though. TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer estimated it will be about half the size of the hotel sector, with similar take rates. That's indeed very substantial.

1 week ago

Priceline Deal Means Closer Ties to Points International

Grant Martin, Skift

Priceline showed up with a new brand and better partner access last week, which should please those who use the Points International network.

1 week ago

Hostelworld Raids Expedia for New CEO

Patrick Whyte, Skift

Although this looks like a smooth change at the top, we'll have to keep an eye on whether the new CEO deviates from the path the company has set itself on in recent years.

1 week ago

Priceline’s Global Ambitions and 10 Other Digital Trends This Week

Sarah Enelow, Skift

This week in digital news, we delivered two stories on Priceline's past and future, and we're gearing up for Skift Tech Forum with a new interview series.

2 weeks ago

On the Beach Discovers the Complexities of International Expansion

Patrick Whyte, Skift

On the Beach’s careful approach to expansion shows just how difficult it can be to grow in foreign source markets. Europe isn’t one big country and if you don’t make acquisitions, expansion can be a tedious process. But one of those acquisitions might just be the one that pays off in the long term.

2 weeks ago

Despegar Attempts to Expand Further Beyond Flights

Sean O'Neill, Skift

Despegar will need to become even more of a force in Latin America if it hopes to tempt major shareholder Expedia Group into acquiring it.

2 weeks ago

Points International Adds Priceline Network of Hotels to Its Booking Engines

Grant Martin, Skift

New functionality added by Points International grants users of that network access to the Priceline library of hotels. That's great for frequent flyers — especially those with miles to burn.

2 weeks ago

Not Just for Hotels — Booking Holdings Has a Direct Strategy of Its Own

Dennis Schaal, Skift

With less fanfare than hotels, but with a ton of TV spend, Booking Holdings is intent on increasing its share of direct bookings. Anything that gets in its way, including metasearch sites that go out of favor, will be collateral damage.

2 weeks ago