Dennis' Online Travel Briefing

Every Wednesday, Executive Editor and online travel rockstar Dennis Schaal brings readers exclusive reporting and insight into the business of online travel and digital booking, and how this sector has an impact across the travel industry.

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Kayak co-founders Steve Hafner and Paul English speaking at Skift events

Online Travel

How Kayak Fared 10 Years After Priceline's Offer to Buy It

Kayak isn't as muscular today in metasearch, as some would have forecast years ago, given the impact of Google. But Kayak hasn't folded, either.

Dennis Schaal | 2 years ago

Experiences

Google Expands Its Things to Do Feature Deeper Into Maps

Step by step, inch by inch, Google is becoming more central to the tours and activities sector. We've seen this playbook before.

Dennis Schaal | 2 years ago

Online Travel

Booking’s Connected Trip Vs. Hopper’s Fintech Strategies

Booking Holdings and Hopper are attacking travelers' anxieties in wildly divergent ways. Booking is trying to soothe them, while Hopper doesn't mind a little angst if it means more fintech revenue.

Dennis Schaal | 2 years ago

Online Travel

Calling Booking.com a Gatekeeper Wouldn't Have the Impact European Regulators Expect

The European Commission found that banning certain rate parity provisions impacted competition minimally. Therefore, perhaps designating Booking.com a "gatekeeper," were it to happen, wouldn't be the end of online travel as we know it.

Dennis Schaal | 2 years ago

Online Travel

Spain's eDreams Odigeo Hones Strategy to Make Its Flight Bookings Habit-Forming

When it comes to out-performing the online travel industry in terms of a post-Covid booking recovery, eDreams Odigeo can claim a top prize. It is plowing revenue back into discounts to make its subscriptions a no-brainer.

Dennis Schaal | 2 years ago

Online Travel

Frontdesk Plays Its Own Cards in the Shadow of Vacasa and Sonder

Whether it is major online travel agencies selecting focus markets, or under-the-radar property managers like Frontdesk deciding to target second-tier cities, companies always have to strategically pick their spots. Sometimes there can be riches in the hinterlands.

Dennis Schaal | 2 years ago

Online Travel

What Separated Airbnb From Online Travel Rivals in 2nd Quarter – in One Chart

Airbnb leads the pack by far in its recovery from pre-pandemic 2019. But will that disparity diminish once the recovery of cities, and long-haul travel accelerates?

Dennis Schaal | 2 years ago

Online Travel

Business Model Innovation Is the Hottest Thing in Online Travel

Innovation comes in many forms. Sometimes it's a new technology. But for a growing number of online travel companies, it's all about disrupting traditional business models.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Online Travel

7 Takeaways From Online Travel Agencies Slugging It Out on Mobile

Once dismissed as a commission-free loss leader, flights are a new battleground as Expedia and Hopper compete over keywords and customers on mobile.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Hype Over New Online Travel Disruptors Is So Overblown

Old entrants like Google and hotel brands will likely be much more disruptive to the future of online travel agencies than Chase, Uber, and Travel + Leisure.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago