Dennis Schaal, Skift
Google has taken a huge next step, putting all the pieces together, by including flights, hotels, packages, and trip-planning tools on a dedicated website and in Google Search and Google Maps. Google's foothold in travel just got even larger.
2 weeks ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
If — or when — a backlash comes, it would upend the business models of a wide swath of travel industry companies. It would also put many businesses specializing in surveillance of consumers at risk.
2 weeks ago
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
Andrew Sheivachman, Skift
It will be fascinating to see whether consumers embrace booking various elements of travel using Google Assistant. Perhaps more interesting is the way that Google Maps has become an all-purpose superapp in recent years.
2 weeks ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Google is eating the world. When metasearch sites such as Trivago see a strategic benefit in increasing their advertising in Google metasearch, it's not only enough to make your head spin, but it's ominous from a competitive standpoint, as well.
3 weeks ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Consumers in the West reach almost reflexively for the Google Maps app as the service becomes a nearly ubiquitous utility despite a dearth of messaging and payments. Whether it evolves into the next superapp may depend on whether users really want a do-everything app and the mood of regulators seeking to break up big tech.
1 month ago
Isaac Carey, Skift
The new feature is clean, intuitive, and easy to use. As Google’s booking platform rapidly expands, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes the go-to booking site for all things travel.
2 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
The success of Ennismore’s Hoxton hotels brand is founded on the fact that you don’t have to completely reinvent something to make it exciting or lasting. You just need to know what elements bring you — and your guests — joy (while also making a profit).
2 months ago
Patrick Whyte, Skift
Over the last couple of years, rumors have been flying around that the European Union wanted to take a closer look at Google's travel tools. For now at least, that doesn't seem to be the case.
2 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
Unlike some of its hotel peers, Marriott isn't giving up on its hopes of being the world's favorite travel company.
2 months ago
Nikki Ekstein, Bloomberg
It's often true that the best ideas or inventions for travel are those that originate outside the sector. Could this be one?
2 months ago
Andrew Sheivachman, Skift
Going down the rabbit hole and considering the effect of a big tech crackdown in travel, Google and global distribution systems have perhaps the most to lose. It's likely, though, that few, if any, of Elizabeth Warren's proposed restrictions will ever become U.S. law.
2 months ago