News

Uber buys Routematch in bid to expand software tools for transit providers
News / Technology
Uber buys Routematch in bid to expand software tools for transit providers
By Kevin May | July 21, 2020
The move is another concerted effort by Uber to push into the software-as-a-service space, this time by acquiring a company that builds systems to help transit operators with payments, accessibility tools and trip planning.... Read More
aeronology-carstensen-interview
News / Technology
No transactions, no problem: why this travel veteran is optimistic about a startup launched on eve of COVID-19
By Mitra Sorrells | July 21, 2020
Aeronology founder Russell Carstensen is banking on his deep understanding of the industry and the longevity of travel agents to lead his company to success.... Read More
airbnb -cleaning-program
News / Online
Airbnb expands COVID cleaning protocol program and designation to 50 countries and regions
By Mitra Sorrells | July 21, 2020
Airbnb is now offering cleaning guidelines and materials to hosts in 50 countries and regions, up from 12 when it launched last month.... Read More
Rental accommodation tech providers unite to launch consumer site
News / Online
Rental accommodation tech providers unite to launch consumer site
By Kevin May | July 20, 2020
The quartet - GuestReady, HostnFly, NOCNOC and Welkeys - have built the service in a bid to revive the national market for trips by using their respective expertise in both back-end and consumer-facing rental products.... Read More
booking-com-travel-incentive
News / Distribution
Booking.com creates rebooking incentive with money back for travelers, waived commission for suppliers
By Mitra Sorrells | July 20, 2020
Booking.com’s new travel incentive gives customers a 15% reward if they rebook stays they had canceled.  ... Read More
Uber commits to being “anti-racist” company, pledges change in leadership and $10M for Black-owned businesses
News / Online
Uber commits to being “anti-racist” company, pledges change in leadership and $10M for Black-owned businesses
By Jill Menze | July 20, 2020
“Black representation and opportunity at Uber is not where we want it to be, especially on our technical teams and in leadership,” says Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.... Read More
VIDEO: New Reality With... Peter Kern of Expedia Group
News / Online
VIDEO: New Reality With... Peter Kern of Expedia Group
By PhocusWire | July 17, 2020
The next guest on the New Reality With... series is Peter Kern, CEO and vice chairman at Expedia Group, one of the world's largest online travel companies.... Read More
InPhocus, episode 18 - Innovators are primed and ready
News / Technology
InPhocus, episode 18 - Innovators are primed and ready
By PhocusWire | July 17, 2020
The reset that everyone is going through gives startups (already born or just ideas) and new technology an opportunity to make their case.... Read More
tripadvisor-smartertravel-hopjump
News / Online
Tripadvisor sells SmarterTravel Media portfolio to Hopjump
By Mitra Sorrells | July 17, 2020
Tripadvisor will retain ownership of the Jetsetter brand while the remaining brands in the SmarterTravel Media portfolio now belong to Hopjump.... Read More
wit-japan-future
News / Online
As domestic travel picks up in Japan, players adapt with safety measures, micro-targeting and hybrid models
By Marissa Trew - WiT | July 16, 2020
Ryokans, road trips and retreats are predicted to do well in the first wave of Japan's rebound.... Read More
mammoth-lakes-tourism-coronavirus
News / Online
My Method... Building consensus with data in uncertain times for destinations
By John Urdi - Mammoth Lakes Tourism | July 16, 2020
By relying on data in decision-making, some destinations are able to quickly pivot based on the needs of communities and build consensus around those strategic changes.... Read More
travel marketers diversity
News / Online
Beyond “vanity metrics”: Why travel marketers need to diversify influencer campaigns
By Jill Menze | July 16, 2020
Diversity in travel influencer marketing has been a problem since the beginning. Here's how brands can fix it.... Read More
airbnb-one-million-bookings
News / Online
Airbnb claims 1 million nights booked in one day for first time since March 3
By Mitra Sorrells | July 15, 2020
Airbnb says users booked more than one million nights' worth of future stays on July 8, the first time that has happened since the outbreak triggered lockdowns in dozens of countries worldwide.... Read More
How investors are taking the long view on opportunities in short-term rentals
News / Online
How investors are taking the long view on opportunities in short-term rentals
By Linda Fox | July 15, 2020
Private accommodation has been hard hit by the pandemic, leading some in the investment community to ask whether the size of the opportunity will be as great when the travel industry recovers.... Read More
Black voices in travel, part 2: The work to be done in marketing
News / Online
Black voices in travel, part 2: The work to be done in marketing
By Travel Weekly | July 15, 2020
The second part of Travel Weekly's discussion on how the industry can do more to welcome and include Black travelers, advisors, professionals and executives.... Read More