Online Travel News

These articles delve into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies that are shaping the online booking landscape, ensuring that industry insiders stay informed and prepared for change. These stories cover essential topics such as the development of innovative booking platforms, the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in personalizing travel options, and the impact of mobile technology on customer behavior. Additionally, the news stories highlight the growing importance of user-generated content and reviews in shaping consumer decisions, and the role of social media in the online travel booking ecosystem. Skift’s stories examine the competitive landscape and offer insights into the successes and challenges faced by major online travel agencies (OTAs), startups, and traditional travel companies transitioning to the digital space.

Online Travel

Travel CEOs Talk Artificial Intelligence

Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks closer at Agoda’s competitive edge, Hostaway’s funding, and what travel leaders are saying about AI.

Travel CEOs Talk Artificial Intelligence

Online Travel

Expedia CEO Calls Out Rival Agoda: How They Get Those Cheap Prices

Apple doesn't let Best Buy discount iPhones, and hoteliers don't want online travel agencies like Agoda to undercut their rates. A win for the hotel industry would be a loss for travelers.

Expedia CEO Calls Out Rival Agoda: How They Get Those Cheap Prices

Online Travel

Chinese Hotel Firm Rakes in Six-Fold Return as It Sells Minor Stake in Oyo

Not a bad payday, considering the partial exit yields a substantial six-fold return for H World Group. However, the heightened scrutiny on startup valuations has kept a lid on gains for Oyo.

Chinese Hotel Firm Rakes in Six-Fold Return as It Sells Minor Stake in Oyo

Online Travel

Hopper’s Disruption of the Legacy Travel Industry: New Skift Research

Hopper is the new kid on the block. Except it's not. Founded in 2007, it spent a decade building a huge database of flight information before selling its first flight booking in 2016. The time it spent on its cutting edge price prediction capabilities have paid dividends, leading to the launch of a suite of fintech products which have been fundamental in Hopper's disruption of the legacy OTAs.

Hopper’s Disruption of the Legacy Travel Industry: New Skift Research

News Blog

Trip.com Group to Power Digital Journey of Cambodia’s New Airport

Online travel company Trip.com Group has joined hands with flag carrier Cambodia Angkor Air to position the new Angkor International Airport as a smart airport in the region. As part of the agreement, Trip.com Group will contribute to enhancing the digital services of the new airport scheduled to commence operations in October 2023. The partnership…

Online Travel

Booking’s Stalled $1.8 Billion Etraveli Acquisition to Spur EU Objections: Report

The EU's objections to Booking's proposed acquisition of flight-tech firm Etraveli Group does not mean the deal is dead. The EU may demand concessions to reshape the pact, which is an important piece of CEO Glenn Fogel's "connected trip" strategy.

Booking’s Stalled $1.8 Billion Etraveli Acquisition to Spur EU Objections: Report

Online Travel

Singapore’s Zuzu Hospitality Secures $9 Million Funding and Eyes India Expansion

Zuzu Hospitality's increased focus on expanding its operations in India suggests that the emergence of the country as a prominent player in the travel industry is not lost out on companies.

Singapore’s Zuzu Hospitality Secures $9 Million Funding and Eyes India Expansion

Online Travel

Subscriptions Help eDreams Shrink Losses

Beating pre-Covid numbers is good, but not losing tens of millions of Euros would be even better. If eDreams can grow its subscriptions business that may be a possibility.

Subscriptions Help eDreams Shrink Losses

Online Travel

Best Time to Travel? Kayak Says Its New Tool Can Help

Customers will return to the platforms that make travel planning and booking more convenient. Maybe this tool could also capture customers who would otherwise be turned off by inflated rates.

Best Time to Travel? Kayak Says Its New Tool Can Help

Online Travel

The Best-Compensated Online Travel CEOs

With a discussion with Executive Editor Dennis Schaal, today's special edition of Skift's daily podcast goes deeper into our annual list of best-compensated online travel CEOs.

The Best-Compensated Online Travel CEOs