Articles tagged “travel agents”

Who needs middlemen distributors? TripAdvisor-backed Viator is hoping that travel agencies come directly to its new platform to find tours and activities to sell to consumers.

Ctrip is betting on 6,000 franchise shops to take aim at cities where most travel shopping happens offline. At the same time, it hopes to increase its operating margins to Priceline-like levels. The two initiatives don't necessarily collide since Ctrip doesn't own the real estate or pay labor costs for the offline shops.

It's only a segment of the U.S. population that has a go-to travel agent for trip planning, although they are more popular in other parts of the world. Virtuoso is trying to equip its members with the smarts to adapt to the evolving traveler, and you have to give Virtuoso credit for that.

The global distribution systems aren't going anywhere. Innovation, however, is happening in the margins of the travel distribution marketplace, with airlines seeking to regain control of their destiny.

American is reviving its direct-booking conflict with distribution middlemen like Sabre. Advances in technology and fat profits at U.S. airlines make the threat more plausible now than a decade ago.

These four entrepreneurs took the first steps toward what would become modern adventure and luxury travel, and their first-hand accounts hold lessons — and entertainment — for all those who followed in their wake.

Demographics always defy preconceived notions, but the mindsets of consumer segments are where the focus should be.

Over 100 travel agencies have ceased operations in Singapore in the first six months of the year. But a closer look shows the trade is not dying; it is renewing.

Paul English was pretty candid about the limitations of his initial idea and equally excited about the potential of tapping into the corporate travel world. The "travel agent in your pocket" approach was never going to be big for the average consumer and targeting businesses seems much more sensible.

After years of talking up the importance of attracting millennials and families to cruising, it appears cruise lines are leaving them with a positive impression of their time onboard when they do choose a cruise vacation.