Articles tagged “distribution”

The online travel agencies — as the Apex Predators and beneficiaries at the top of the current distribution scheme — aren't likely to rush in to invest in a technology that democratizes access to travel content.

TUI's chief executive is nailing his colors to the mast when it comes to blockchain and its benefits for the travel industry. In theory the technology is great — and TUI has already identified an effective way to use it — but will the hype be justified?

Blockchain is essentially a large immutable database which, due to its security features and decentralized nature, can pose a threat to traditional intermediaries. Companies are looking to expand blockchain to tackle the current travel distribution landscape.

DHISCO boss Toni Portmann said the hotel distribution tech company has completely modernized its formerly limited and failure-prone system. But we're still waiting to see a wave of new contract announcements, including for alternative lodging providers.

Skift anticipated that British Airways and Iberia would copy Lufthansa's pioneering move to push middlemen further out of the distribution chain. But the move is still eyebrow-raising because it defies two years of predictions by the distribution systems that Lufthansa's effort would fizzle out.

There ain't no such thing as a free booking.

In his first interview with Skift, Amadeus's chief executive Luis Maroto makes a persuasive case that his $24.8 billion company is successfully navigating industry changes.

Skyscanner is becoming an online shop-window for airlines, providing a branded experience that's similar to the airline's own sites. Behind this move is a technological upheaval that's scrambling commercial alliances.

Lufthansa is investing in direct booking connectivity with corporations (and the commercial initiatives to make them happen). The technological and commercial Tarmac being laid may pave the way for others, like IAG's British Airways.

Professionally-managed and do-it-yourself rentals are two very different types of hospitality businesses. Airbnb lit the spark, but there's still plenty of room to grow and to gain market share.