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Online Travel News

These articles delve into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies that are shaping the online booking landscape, ensuring that industry insiders stay informed and prepared for change. These stories cover essential topics such as the development of innovative booking platforms, the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in personalizing travel options, and the impact of mobile technology on customer behavior. Additionally, the news stories highlight the growing importance of user-generated content and reviews in shaping consumer decisions, and the role of social media in the online travel booking ecosystem. Skift’s stories examine the competitive landscape and offer insights into the successes and challenges faced by major online travel agencies (OTAs), startups, and traditional travel companies transitioning to the digital space.

News Blog

Booking Paid $90 Million Termination Fee For Its Failed eTraveli Acquisition

Booking Holdings, whose $1.8 billion deal to acquire Sweden’s eTraveli Group was blocked by European Commission earlier this year, paid out $90 million in termination fee this October, according to a nugget in its latest quarterly statement. Typically deal breakup/termination fees are between 1-5 percent of the total deal value and paid by the seller…

Online Travel

Tripadvisor’s ‘Juicy’ Ad for Viator

Tripadvisor and Viator, or at least the creative department, have a sense of humor — and it is effective.

Tripadvisor’s ‘Juicy’ Ad for Viator

Online Travel

Viator Sees Commissions Boost from Upgraded Pay-for-Visibility Tool

Boosting tour visibility can yield profits for Viator, but the benefit to operators may lessen if most operators join in. It's a bit like when people in the front row of a concert stand up and everyone else has to stand up.

Viator Sees Commissions Boost from Upgraded Pay-for-Visibility Tool

Online Travel

Despegar Sees Brazil Gains After Alleged Airline Ticket Ponzi Scheme Goes Bust

Brazil is a huge market, as are airline tickets, for Despegar. A rival with an alleged Ponzi scheme for selling airline tickets wasn't really fair competition.

Despegar Sees Brazil Gains After Alleged Airline Ticket Ponzi Scheme Goes Bust

News Blog

Tripadvisor Says Its AI Itinerary Users Generate 3X Revenues of Average Users

Hidden in Tripadvisor's latest earnings from earlier this week was some updates on its AI-based trip planning feature that it launched in July, along with some concrete numbers on performance of AI-assisted travel planning. In the earnings call, CEO Matt Goldberg said that the company has seen much higher conversions (and revenues) from people who…

Online Travel

Booking.com Launches Cruises in the U.S.

There doesn't seem to be much of a downside for Booking.com getting into cruises. As with flights, which it launched in 2019, we can only say — what took you so long?

Booking.com Launches Cruises in the U.S.

Online Travel

Tripadvisor Sees Viator at Full-Year Profitability in 2024

Until now, Tripadvisor has emphasized growth for Viator, backed by ample marketing, at the expense of profitability. It appears as though the company will moderate that strategy for 2024.

Tripadvisor Sees Viator at Full-Year Profitability in 2024

Online Travel

Uber Forecasts Banner Fourth Quarter on Strong Holiday Travel Demand

The increasing return-to-office push — as well as the ongoing steady travel demand — is certainly coming at the first time for Uber, which is in a prime position to make a massive rebound from a challenging 2022.

Uber Forecasts Banner Fourth Quarter on Strong Holiday Travel Demand

Online Travel

Agoda’s Growing Focus on India: Celebrity Endorsements and Partnerships

Agoda's growing focus on the Indian market includes collaborations with partners like Snapdeal, appointing Ayushmann Khurana as their brand ambassador, and launching their first TV ad in India, as the company recognizes the importance of aligning with India's strong tech focus and delivering high standards of customer service.

Agoda’s Growing Focus on India: Celebrity Endorsements and Partnerships

Online Travel

The New Chinese Traveler: Latest Trends From Trip.com

The post-pandemic Chinese traveler is a whole new ballgame, and travel companies need to understand that and step up their game.

The New Chinese Traveler: Latest Trends From Trip.com