Whoever came up with the idiomatic expression “The devil’s in the details,” must have made a bad hotel choice or two in their lives. Since retiring from the travel public relations and marketing game, I notice an uptick in sloppy marketing efforts that are almost completely reliant on Google ads, OTAs, and the big tour operators. For hoteliers here in Greece, the lost opportunity costs of such reliance will eventually tell. It is with this eventuality in mind that I present the following.
Expedia
Study Shows Travelers Want Travel Assistance from AI Chatbots
Over 75% of Americans surveyes by AI producer Humley, say they rely heavily on chatbots to imrprove the quality of their travel expereinces.
On RezBS and Supporting Local Businesses
RezBS is breathing new life back into Caribbean excursions by providing seamless booking capabilities for small businesses.
Expedia Taps Amadeus for More
Good news for Amadeus global distribution comes via an Expedia announcement to offer air, car, rail, cruise and hotels through the Amadeus system as part of a new long-term global deal.
Airbnb’s Rocky Road to Vacation Bookings Supremecy
Airbnb announced recently collaborations with a number of tech companies, in order to boost the company’s business conversions. API tests last year with the likes of Live Rez, BookingPal, Kigo and LeisureLink, as well as other connections, promise Airbnb hosts a billboard to reach even more guests. Tech connectedness is certainly Airbnb’s forte, as is the shared economy, but there’s some trouble brewing too. Here’s a look at what’s up with travel’s most forward thinking company this month.
Why Is Every Hotel Not Selling Rooms Via Bidroom?
When was the last time you really compared the prices you pay for hotels stays? If you are like most people, time is never on your side, and loyalty or brand awareness simply must play a role in your travel decision making processes. A Dutch startup a friend recommended, Bidroom addresses several problems caused by […]
Expedia Accelerator: Step Right Up, You Hotelier Fools
Yesterday I wrote a short post on LinkedIn “Pulse” with my view on Expedia’s new “Accelerator” marketplace. The experiment where hoteliers get to bid for the hotels’ visibility on the OTA, it resembles a carnival act for me. At least one comment on my LinkedIn, suggesting I was a mean spirited ranter because of my […]
HomeAway: The Latest Acquisitioin in Expedia Buying Spree
News from Expedia tells of the OTA’s coming purchase of holiday rental firm HomeAway. In a deal estimated at $3.9 billion, the Texas based startup could punch a hole in the alternative accommodations space for the famous brand.
Priceline & Expedia: Fearing Airbnb Like the Klingons
A story on Skift this morning bears the headline; “Airbnb’s Growth Doesn’t Scare Priceline at All”. A big picture of William Shatner set to duke it out is as funny, given Priceline should be scared, that is. If only Priceline’s Star Fleet had integrated Airbnb!
eDigitalResearch Numbers Show Expedia Social Prowess
With over 4 million “likes” on its Facebook profile, Expedia is now in second place among travel brands just beneath KLM. Expedia’s expanded benchmark numbers in results from eDigitalResearch, show the travel giant topping the Google+ league table to gain in excess of 2.5 million news followers in half a year.
Expedia Acquires Auto Escape Group
Expedia has just announced completing its acquisition of Auto Escape Group, a leading European car rental entity online. The acquisition from private equity fund Montefiore Investment, tell of Auto Escape Group management migrating to the booking giant’s team as well.
Expedia’s TAAP Gives Agents Improved Inventory Access
According to new from Expedia this morning, the world’s largest full service online travel site just released the Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP). TAAP gives US travel agents access to Expedia’s global inventory and allows them to earn commissions on hotels, package travel deals , and more.
Expedia Affiliate Network Gets New Boss
Ariane Gorin will assume responsibility for the Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) as Senior Vice President and General Manager. Gorin will begin her duties immediately, according to today’s press.
Travelers’ Hotel Choices: No Choice At All
When Google acquired ITA flight software a couple of years back, a group of competitors went ballistic warning of unfair practices by the Internet search and ad giant. Most people back then blew off what FairSearch was contending, this author included. As it turns out, a half dozen court cases won and a lot of water under the hotel search bridge, and potential guests really have no choice at all. Google has rigged the hotel booking game into an ad recommendation one.
Q1 Profit and Loss: Weeding Out the OTAs
In a 2014 economy seemingly stagnated OTAs and other travel businesses are feeling some pain. This is not the case for Priceline Group, which just showed a 1st quarter earnings jump of some 36% on international bookings. However, this company’s gain is evidently Orbitz’s and other digital travel business loss. Are we seeing a “weeding out” of good travel entities versus bad ones?