Startups

The decision will provide startups, their users, and regulators with a clear uniform set of policies as well as set the stage for future regulation in other U.S. markets.

As we have said and covered time and time again here at Skift, the delta between what gets funded and what actually works in travel has been huge over the last decade, and it may finally be catching up as investors are fed up of bad travel startup ideas, and even poorer execution.

We've yet to see the same level of excitement for local tours, activities, and events startups from consumers as we did from investors over the last few years. SideTour's unnamed purchase price is likely low, but it's also likely a sigh of relief for its investors and employees.

Onefinestay is targeting a different customer than Airbnb by providing amenities that most Airbnb guests forgo in the name of cost or experience. It will need to continue differentiating itself with add-ons as it expands into cities where Airbnb is already established with an inventory of budget and high-end homes.

The TripAdvisor CFO says the company has no intent of becoming an online travel agency. But, now that TripAdvisor has introduced Kayak-like hotel metasearch, the question looms whether TripAdvisor will make a large acquisition or two instead of sticking with its traditional penchant for travel startup bargain-hunting.

The rise of the visual web means the rise of photo startups, many which are glorified features posing as full-fledged companies. Micro innovations become the flavor of the month, and new startups follow as VC money (mostly early stage angel and seed) keeps pouring in.

Gogo has always done an excellent job making it easier for passengers to pay quickly. It used iTunes account info early on and the Amazon method is a logical next step.