Dennis Schaal, Skift
Google officials aren't losing any sleep over TripAdvisor spending a few million dollars less on paid search, but TripAdvisor's pullback, as well as similar moves by other large travel players, symbolizes a changing advertising climate and a long-term challenge.
1 month ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
TripAdvisor faces a quandary: It needs to have an alternative accommodations business to round out its hotel offerings, but rentals revenue declined and slowed the otherwise-positive trajectory of its non-hotels segment. While TripAdvisor is a market leader in experiences and restaurants, its rentals business is muddying up the works.
1 month ago
Airbnb + Skift
Travelers are prioritizing experiences that can teach them something new and open their eyes –– meaning that hospitality brands and accommodations need to shift how they attract and appeal to guests.
1 month ago
Dan Peltier, Skift
Tours and activities partnerships like the one between Atlas Obscura and Chase seem like a win-win. Card companies acquire knowledge about trends in the sector, and what travelers are demanding. Meanwhile, tour operators get access to loyal consumers willing to shell out for the trip of a lifetime.
2 months ago
Dan Peltier and Andrew Sheivachman , Skift
Vacationers want to experience something new and are tired of the same old tours and activities. While global tour operators are baking more customization into their products, digital distribution is changing the way local operators do business.
3 months ago
Paul Biasco, Skift
The market for off-the-beaten-path tours and experiences has been heating up this year with the emergence of Airbnb’s Experiences. TripAdvisor, which emphasizes on-the-beaten path offerings, is putting a huge effort into trying to stay on top. Its new travel agent program is part of that effort.
3 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Here's an unorthodox thought in business: TripAdvisor CEO Steve Kaufer knows that the company's value proposition for its customers can remain strong even when the financials face difficulties every once in a while. That's a truism that sometimes gets lost when pundits focus merely on stock price variations.
3 months ago
Windstar Cruises + Skift
Luxury travelers today want experiences that are high-touch, authentic, and meaningful. Windstar Cruises, which offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in the Alaskan wilderness, is making experiences such as these a priority.
4 months ago
Intrepid Travel + Skift
Many travel brands assume that a commitment to doing good means the bottom line will take a hit. But based on a growing amount of evidence, it’s simply not true. Companies like Intrepid Travel are discovering that purpose-driven business goals can help their organizations become more innovative, resilient, authentic, and profitable.
5 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
The tours and activities sector is not hotels 2.0. It's a massive business opportunity, though. TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer estimated it will be about half the size of the hotel sector, with similar take rates. That's indeed very substantial.
7 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Should there be TripAdvisor booths at big tourist attractions in Paris, New York, Las Vegas and Rome? It might not be a bad idea to explore to attract the business of travelers who like to book attractions offline. Would it scale? Expedia does it, but the numbers crunchers would have to figure it all out.
7 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Deanna Ting and Patrick Whyte, Skift
There is no set formula on how to do it, but it's clear that the most progressive companies in travel are intent on reinventing their businesses, and value propositions. On the other hand, certain things that still work, like customer service and personalized hospitality, will survive the cut.
7 months ago