Top Travel Tech Weekly News

News / Online

Why small property owners see OTAs as a "necessary evil"

By Jill Menze | February 15, 2018

The codependent nature of small property owners and their booking partners has its upsides, but primarily, it’s viewed by the underdogs as a “necessary evil.” Read More

News / Technology

Duetto raises massive $80 million to push hotel tech platform

By Kevin May | February 14, 2018

Duetto can boast $143.2 million in funding rounds to date after landing a huge Series D investment of $80 million this week. Read More

News / Technology

Q&A: How blockchain is helping Webjet improve efficiency, cut costs for hotel bookings

By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2018

When Microsoft announced in November 2016 that it was working with Australia-based online travel agency Webjet to build a blockchain proof-of-concept solution, the term “blockchain” was still relatively... Read More

News / Distribution

Travel buyers show modest support for NDC (but many still have no idea)

By Kevin May | February 14, 2018

A year ago, just 11% of travel buyers in a survey said they believe IATA's New Distribution Capability is "a good thing" for the industry. Read More

News / Online

Battling external forces: How a startup competes in the tours market

By Jill Menze | February 14, 2018

The travel industry has yet to see a clear frontrunner emerge in the tours and attractions space. Be it for lack of the right idea or the right distribution model - or, most likely, both - no major or... Read More

News / Distribution

Hotels admit steep reliance on online travel agencies

By Kevin May | February 13, 2018

Hotels have a high dependency on online travel agencies to distribute their inventory, with almost every other channel deemed to be low on same scale. Read More

News / Technology

Decoding blockchain, part 2: Travel loyalty programs

By Mitra Sorrells | February 12, 2018

If we think of loyalty program rewards as a currency, it becomes easy to see why the current system is not ideal and why most programs are struggling to achieve their ultimate goal: to influence... Read More

News / Online

Expedia splashed out record $5.3 billion on marketing in 2017

By Kevin May | February 12, 2018

Expedia Inc spent a record $5.3 billion on marketing in 2017 - a figure that continues to trouble investors amid its full year financial results. Read More

News / Technology

What airlines can gain from thinking like Netflix

By Jill Menze | February 12, 2018

A main reason for the omnipresence of Netflix is the technology’s ability to personalize recommendations to viewers. Read More

News / Technology

Amex GBT buys Hogg Robinson, tech integration at heart of £400M deal

By Kevin May | February 9, 2018

Massive consolidation alert: Hogg Robinson has sold to American Express Global Business Travel in a deal in the region of £400 million. Read More

News / Distribution

Airbnb officially opens up platform to hotel distribution

By Kevin May | February 7, 2018

Airbnb is to allow hotels and other accommodation providers to list on the site for the first time through an official third party distribution network. Read More

Nordic Choice blockchain test Winding Tree

News / Technology

Q&A: How - and why - Nordic Choice Hotels is testing blockchain

By Mitra Sorrells | February 7, 2018

Could an open-source blockchain-based distribution system stimulate innovative solutions from travel industry startups, provide more choices to travelers, and drive more revenue to suppliers? Read More

Bing Phocuswright digital travel marketing study

News / Online

What travel marketers need to know for digital engagement

By Mitra Sorrells | February 6, 2018

Travel marketers should fine-tune digital strategies to attract new customers and reinforce loyalty among existing ones as they strive to prevail in the competitive landscape of online travel agencies,... Read More

Blockchain known travel digital identity

News / Technology

Decoding blockchain, part 1: Travel ID and security

By Mitra Sorrells | February 5, 2018

Depending on who you listen to, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin will either change fundamental aspects of people’s daily lives – financial services, healthcare, retail and, yes,... Read More