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

Book on Google Keeps on Ticking With Flight Refunds

Google has been tracking flight prices for a considerable period so now it is backing up its data with real money. It's real money, but a pittance for Google.

Book on Google Keeps on Ticking With Flight Refunds

Online Travel

Expedia and Kayak Offer Early Convergence of ChatGPT and Travel Booking

This is one of the earliest examples of the coming convergence of conversational AI and travel booking, even if it is crude in this new launch from ChatGPT.

Expedia and Kayak Offer Early Convergence of ChatGPT and Travel Booking

Online Travel

Travelzoo to Launch Its Travel Metaverse Within Weeks

One can make the argument that Travelzoo is embarked on a foolhardy mission to create a metaverse. On the other hand, gamers and Gen Z may have something to the contrary to say about that.

Travelzoo to Launch Its Travel Metaverse Within Weeks

News Blog

Booking.com Became Major League Baseball’s Official Online Travel Partner

Booking.com, which has marketing relationships with the International Cricket Council and the Union of European Football Associations, is playing ball with Major League Baseball. Pictured is a Spring Airlines A320 bedecked as Booking.com as seen on July 7, 2018. Source: Flickr.com/ Kwok Ho Eddie Wong https://tinyurl.com/4m6a58jf The company will officially announce today that it has…

Online Travel

Kayak Co-Founder Paul English Is Launching New App as an Alternative to ‘Garbage’ Restaurant/Hotel Reviews

The advent of user reviews in travel was a disruptive and positive force, and they in turn may indeed get upended or greatly modified as new technologies take hold.

Kayak Co-Founder Paul English Is Launching New App as an Alternative to ‘Garbage’ Restaurant/Hotel Reviews

Online Travel

Despegar Widens Reach But Still Reported a Fourth Quarter Loss

Don't be surprised if Despegar makes and acquisition or two in 2023. That's baked into its plans.

Despegar Widens Reach But Still Reported a Fourth Quarter Loss

Online Travel

Oyo Drops Brand Guidelines for Competitive Edge as It Expands in the U.S.

Oyo's new focus on customer support could help, but its relaxation of brand standards in the budget sector could have big reputational risks.

Oyo Drops Brand Guidelines for Competitive Edge as It Expands in the U.S.

News Blog

Booking CEO Glenn Fogel Cites Generative AI’s Promise and Hurdles

Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel cited the "explosion of interest" in generative AI (artificial intelligence), but counseled that it would be prudent to be patient about delivering on its promises. Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings, pictured here speaking at Skift Global Forum in September 2022 in New York, is keen on more tech investment.…

News Blog

Online Travel Agency Wheel the World to Offer Guaranteed Accessibility and Price Match

Online travel agency Wheel the World, which serves travelers with disabilities, announced on Thursday that it's offering guaranteed accessibility and price match for hotel rooms booked on its website. "We have identified those details of accessibility and the rooms that have those details,” Wheel the World CEO and co-founder Alvaro Silberstein said, adding that the…

Online Travel

Expedia Joins Companies Pushing Back on ChatGPT Hype

It is fun to speculate about what generative AI could mean for travel, but the online travel agencies are collectively telling us to chill with the hype for the time being.

Expedia Joins Companies Pushing Back on ChatGPT Hype