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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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Online Travel

Fintech, Superapps and Subscriptions Will Spur Flurry of Online Travel Copycats

In its rough outlines, Expedia begot Trip.com Group while Kayak and ITA Software begot Google Travel. Get ready for a flurry of clones in fintech, superapps, and subscription services in travel. In fact, it's already happening.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Fintech, Superapps and Subscriptions Will Spur Flurry of Online Travel Copycats

Online Travel

Ridesharing Firm Didi’s IPO Calamity Highlights Risks for Online Travel in China

Did Airbnb, Booking Holdings, Tripadvisor, Oyo, and Marriott, among others, squirm a bit upon learning of Chinese regulators' latest antitrust crackdowns, this time against ridesharing giant Didi and food-delivery and hotel booker Meituan? If not, they should.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Ridesharing Firm Didi’s IPO Calamity Highlights Risks for Online Travel in China

Online Travel

Hotwire Tries to Hack Its Way Into Gen Z and Millennial Hearts

Hotwire is calling out the online travel industry for its failure to focus on anything but price, price, price. As a discount travel business, that message drips with irony.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Hotwire Tries to Hack Its Way Into Gen Z and Millennial Hearts

Online Travel

Alienated Airbnb Hosts Shouldn’t Look to Vrbo as the Answer

Expedia's Vrbo isn't a global Airbnb killer, nor does it have to be. Vrbo will pick its spots, but that will be a disappointment to those hosts, frustrated and angry with Airbnb, who are looking for some company to take Airbnb down a peg.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Alienated Airbnb Hosts Shouldn’t Look to Vrbo as the Answer

Online Travel

Tripadvisor Board Members Deliver Business for New Subscription Program

Tripadvisor CEO Steve Kaufer told Skift that Tripadvisor Plus is "a super-high priority for the company." The program may find enthusiasts at the property level, but so far the largest hotel chains don't appear to be leaping on board.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Tripadvisor Board Members Deliver Business for New Subscription Program

Online Travel

How Google Plans to Make Money in Travel — and Everything Else

Google eventually will monetize its vacation rental listings, but paid advertisements in its Things To Do vertical will happen sooner. Conscientious objectors Airbnb, Expedia/Vrbo and Booking, which aren't participating with Google in vacation rentals for now, will likely have something to say about the shape of that money grab.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

How Google Plans to Make Money in Travel — and Everything Else

Online Travel

What’s Going Wrong Between Tripadvisor and Trip.com Group?

Tripadvisor and Trip.com Group maintain that their strategic partnership is as strong as ever even though the Chinese company just sold 20 percent of the shares it owns in Tripadvisor and is likely to sell a lot more this year. Rhetoric aside, you can't spin away that fact.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

What’s Going Wrong Between Tripadvisor and Trip.com Group?

Online Travel

Trip.com Group CEO Downplays Market Share Against China Antitrust Backdrop

Behind the scenes, China's competition crackdown on internet platforms could eventually have a larger impact on Trip.com Group's partnerships, business practices, and mergers than is generally appreciated. Although a reversal is unlikely, even Trip.com's 2015 acquisition of Qunar has drawn scrutiny.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Trip.com Group CEO Downplays Market Share Against China Antitrust Backdrop

Online Travel

Airbnb Keeps Solid Marketing Advantage as Competitors Line Up

Airbnb seemed to be disciplined about its marketing spend during the first quarter, and didn't return to the bad old days of 2019 in terms of freewheeling spending. The true test will be this summer when rivals crank up their performance marketing campaigns.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Airbnb Keeps Solid Marketing Advantage as Competitors Line Up

Online Travel

Spunky Vrbo Is Outpacing Airbnb in Listings Growth

Vrbo indeed seems to be stealing a bit of market share from Airbnb in the U.S. in recent months, albeit from a much smaller base. Vrbo's aggressive marketing campaign earlier this year appears to be paying off.

Dennis Schaal, Skift | 3 years ago

Spunky Vrbo Is Outpacing Airbnb in Listings Growth