Dennis Schaal, Skift
InterContinental Hotels Group has frequently been contrarian over the years when it comes to travel distribution. The chain recognizes that not all guests are brand loyal, and that it is wise to maintain healthy relationships with online travel agencies and metasearch engines.
2 weeks ago
Sarah Frier, Bloomberg
Facebook's Instagram is focusing on direct booking for brands from Adidas to Warby Parker but you can imagine the day that this e-commerce initiative will also include flights and hotels from household-name travel brands. They are not in the first iteration, however.
2 months ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
A recent Today Show segment touting Costco Travel is riling ASTA, as are Four Seasons ads on Facebook promising perks for direct bookings. Travel advisors are irked as well, but are finding ways to hold their own.
2 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
Two years in, it appears that consumers didn't just sign up for the loyalty programs to get a discount. Or even if they did, they've also come to realize the additional benefits of booking direct.
4 months ago
Deanna Ting and Dennis Schaal, Skift
Until the details are finalized, the jury’s still out on the impact of a Marriott-Expedia agreement. But suffice it to say, these frenemies still depend on one another.
5 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
Hotel industry to consumers: You should still stop clicking around, (obviously!), but you should also expect a lot more from us when you (1) book direct with us, (2) join our loyalty programs, and (3) stay in our hotels.
8 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
Overall guest satisfaction with hotels in North America is at an all-time high. Still, that doesn't mean the hotel industry should be congratulating itself; there's still work to be done.
10 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
We still think there's a pretty good chance that we'll see Expedia-branded hotels in the near future if not sooner.
10 months ago
Duetto + Skift
The hotel industry has an opportunity to transform the direct booking process using website personalization. Doing so can help deliver a more efficient and customized booking experience, resulting in better conversion ratios and the opportunity to further cultivate relationships with guests.
11 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
The direct booking wars are the true infinity war, at least in hospitality. In other words, don't expect a truce anytime soon.
1 year ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
When it comes to Wyndham finally offering loyalty program members discounted rates, it's always better late than never, right?
1 year ago
Hannah Sampson, Skift
Hilton has been working for years to keep customers booking on its website instead of with online travel agencies. Don't expect that to stop anytime soon — or ever.
1 year ago