Online Travel News

Breaking news and insights about online travel booking, online travel agencies, travel startups, venture capital investments, and more essential news about digital travel.

Online Travel

Despegar Finds Acquisition Bargains in Latin America’s Hard-Hit Economies

At the beginning of the pandemic, it was clear there would be plenty of mergers and acquisition targets. Despegar found at least a couple in Viajanet and Stays.

Dennis Schaal | 3 days ago

Online Travel

Online Travel’s Letters to Shareholders Should Nix the Fluff, Stick to Facts

When asked a few years ago whether Booking.com was a disruptor, CEO Glenn Fogel said "no." Online travel companies should prove their innovation, not make excessive boasts.

Dennis Schaal | 4 days ago

Online Travel

The Great Merging and Other Top Stories This Week

In Skift's top stories this week, Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali writes about the blending of work, travel, and personal lives, Ghana's decision to use celebrities to promote tourism emerges as problematic, and the labor shortage in hospitality enhances the need for robots in hotels.

Mary Ann Ha | 1 week ago

Online Travel

Carsharing Marketplace Getaround to Go Public in $1.2 Billion SPAC deal

Despite the SPAC market experiencing significant struggles recently, Getaround going public is a sign that some travel companies are looking beyond stock market choppiness.

Manya Saini, Reuters | 2 weeks ago

Online Travel

Expedia Group CEO Interview: Our Tech Was an Anchor Thwarting Innovation

In years past, Expedia has often talked about integrating its tech platforms or leveraging its massive data trove. Will it actually spur innovation this time around?

Dennis Schaal | 2 weeks ago

Online Travel

Airbnb CEO: I Don’t See a Travel Recession Coming and We Won’t Freeze Hiring

Famous last words? Well, for travel industry’s sake coming from this brutal period, we hope not!

Rafat Ali | 2 weeks ago

Online Travel

Airbnb Upgrades Search and More Travel Stories This Week

In Skift's top stories this week, Airbnb makes a major modification, Tripadvisor appoints a new CEO, and the endangered status of giraffes exposes the fragility of Africa's wildlife tourism.

Mary Ann Ha | 2 weeks ago

Online Travel

Tripadvisor Hotel Recovery Lags Rivals

Tripadvisor CEO Steve Kaufer said Tripadvisor is "uniquely positioned as the world opens up again." Actually it isn't, as the company's first quarter performance shows. Yes, Tripadvisor has world-class traffic, and growing experiences and dining businesses, but it totally missed out on the short-term rental opportunity.

Dennis Schaal | 2 weeks ago

Online Travel

Can Online Travel’s Titans Ever Break Free of Google?

Airbnb is moving away from Google and performance advertising but few others seem to be following in its footsteps. We believe most online booking sites will remain reliant on Google for top of the funnel marketing post-pandemic. This sets up the search engine to retain its dominant position in travel.

Seth Borko | 2 weeks ago

Online Travel

Daily Podcast: Tripadvisor’s New CEO

Good morning from Skift. It's Thursday, May 5, in New York City. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Rashaad Jorden | 2 weeks ago