Travel Agents

Marriott and Hilton’s Group Commission Cuts Put Pressure on Industry

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

As hotel chains have shifted their business models over the last decade, keeping owners happy has become the priority. Slashing group booking commissions for intermediaries saves owners money, so it's easy to see how the largest U.S. chains will follow the example of Marriott and Hilton in the near future.

2 weeks ago

Apple Leisure Group to Merge With Mark Travel in Consolidation of Legacy Players

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

This transaction makes one of the largest private players in leisure travel, Apple Leisure Group, even bigger and sweetens the potential reward for the almost inevitable private equity sale of its assets.

3 weeks ago

Former Travel Leaders Exec Alleges Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination

Sarah Enelow, Skift

Richard Branson might be a contender for the king of lechery, and Steve Wynn's sexual harassment scandal didn't come as a surprise to some, but the lawsuit against Travel Leaders Group, if the allegations turn out to be true, is a reminder that you don't have to be a household name to be held accountable.

2 months ago

Travel Hackers Turn Honeymoon Experience Into Expert Advice

Beth J. Harpaz, Associated Press

Most people don't have a year to spend honeymooning, but it's worth paying attention to advice about seeking less-obvious destinations and lodging options.

2 months ago

Travel Leaders Group Buys Scottish Retail Chain in Ongoing Merger Spree

Patrick Whyte, Skift

Travel Leaders Group is clearly playing a scale game, and although Barrhead Travel might be an old-fashioned travel business, at least it still makes money.

3 months ago

Marriott Commission Cut on Group Bookings Could Ripple Across Hotel Industry

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

Marriott will use its formidable presence in the North American hotel market to squeeze travel agents and meeting planners. The big question is whether competitors will follow suit. Could Marriott be setting the stage for a full-blown commission cut on all hotel bookings that would completely disrupt the travel sellers?

3 months ago

New Research Study: How Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers Feel About Travel Agents

Signature Travel Network + Skift

Despite the common misconceptions out there, travelers today—even millennial travelers—are open to using travel agents and consultants, as long as the price is right and trips can still be customizable and unique.

4 months ago

British Airways Surcharge Means Travel Agents Won’t Get Lowest Fares Through Sabre

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

Airlines have learned that standing up to the global distribution system giants can actually yield benefits. It has been a hard-earned victory.

6 months ago

TripAdvisor Tours and Activities Brand Viator Debuts a Booking Tool for Travel Agents

Sean O'Neill, Skift

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.

7 months ago

Hostelworld Has Ambitions to Complement Bookings With a Sense of Community

Patrick Whyte, Skift

Now that Hostelworld has largely finished integrating Hostelbookers, it can turn its attention to developing features that would make it more relevant to users during their travels. None of the initiatives are exactly game-changing, but what the company is hoping is that it will make travelers more likely to click on its app rather than that of a competitor.

8 months ago

Why Virtuoso’s New Must-Go Destinations Feel Similar

Laura Powell, Skift

A new Virtuoso survey focusing on coveted luxury destinations for fall and the holidays doesn't cover new territory, but some trends are revealed by reading between the lines.

8 months ago

Altour Joins Travel Leaders Group in Latest Travel Agency Consolidation Move

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

The big are getting even bigger. The combined entity of Travel Leaders Group and Altour will be a strong competitor in the U.S. and abroad.

9 months ago