Online Travel News

Here’s what's latest in online travel news, focusing on key trends, technologies, and strategies influencing the booking landscape.

Discover the latest developments in booking platforms, the transformative role of AI and machine learning in creating personalized travel experiences, and the profound impact of mobile technology on consumer behavior.

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Highlighted topics include the growing role of user-generated content and reviews, as well as the impact of social media on online travel bookings.

Skift's online travel news offers essential insights, exploring the competitive landscape, including the successes and challenges faced by major online travel agencies (OTAs), emerging startups, and established travel companies evolving in the digital age.

Keep up with the ever-evolving online travel market and its implications for both industry professionals and consumers.

Online Travel

Sonder Expands Sales Team to Tap Into Traditional Hotel Biz

Outsiders figure out what's wrong with an industry and rightfully disrupt it. Then they learn that the disrupted industry does things a certain way for a reason. It doesn't mean Sonder's overall strategy is wrong, but that's a lesson it is learning.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Hostelworld Launching Platform to Connect Solo Travelers Before Trips

Adding social network-like features could win it some more new-to-hosteling customers, clearly needed after racking up losses of $90 million during the pandemic. But doesn't this take the fun out of the haphazard nature of hosteling?

Matthew Parsons | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Expedia Hires Google Travel Advertising Director Rob Torres

The pandemic waylaid Expedia Group's 2019 vow to reduce its reliance on advertising through Google. If Expedia seeks to resume working on that goal, it now has a key member of Google's travel advertising leadership to help lead the effort.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Online Travel

New Airbnb Guest Complaint Policy Tries to Balance 2-Sided Marketplace

Airbnb at times has seemed to lean more toward the rights of guests than hosts while smaller rival Vrbo has done the opposite, tilting toward hosts at some junctures to the disadvantage of guests. Although a host land grab recruitment slugfest is under way, it makes sense to try to carve out a middle ground.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Booking.com executive speaking at Skift Forum Europe

Online Travel

Booking.com's Europe Recovery Lifted by Neighbors Traveling Cross-Border

A new type of travel corridor is emerging, particularly between France, Germany and the UK, as tourists stay close to home when booking their first international trips in a long time.

Matthew Parsons | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Expedia Still Predicts a Big Travel Boost in Europe This Summer

Learning to live with Covid, Expedia expects an amazing summer for its Europe business, but is wary of the kind of restrictions that may come back, if at all they do.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 3 years ago

Online Travel

New Report: How Credit Card Rewards Are Shifting to Meet the Demands of Today’s Lifestyle-Minded Travelers

Attitudes about remote work and the need for business travel have fundamentally changed since before the pandemic. iSeatz’s new “State of Loyalty: 2022 Credit Card Rewards Report” charts how industry leaders can meet new consumer expectations around rewards, offers, and benefits.

iSeatz + Skift | 3 years ago

Vacasa CEO Reengages a Supply Strategy He Used at OpenTable

Does Vacasa’s technology and scale really give it a defensible position in North America? Moats are so overrated.

Tom Lowry | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Oyo's Pending IPO Could Be Halved or Even Scuttled

Oyo's potential IPO has likely run head-on into the collapse of several recent public market debuts in India with a couple of lawsuits potentially figuring into the regulator's delayed decision. Oyo will eventually go public, but that maiden public appearance likely won't resemble the initial vision.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Google.com Gets Free Hotel Booking Links to Level Playing Field ... A Tad

Pressure from regulators and maybe disgruntled partners prompted Google to add free booking links in search results and Maps in travel. Google certainly hasn't leveled the proverbial playing field among advertisers and non-advertisers, but hotels and smaller online travel agencies may see some benefit.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago