Steven Lerner News

cover image getlost
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: GetLost wants to make cheap on-demand travel a reality
By Steven Lerner | March 6, 2020
GetLost connects last-minute travelers with exclusively negotiated cheap deals on empty airline seats.... Read More
Expedia Group, Booking Holdings spent more than $11B on marketing (mostly to Google) in 2019
News / Online
Expedia Group, Booking Holdings spent more than $11B on marketing (mostly to Google) in 2019
By Steven Lerner | March 6, 2020
One company grew its marketing spend in 2019 and the other company essentially remained flat.  ... Read More
Despegar 2019 earnings
News / Online
Despite "volatile macro environment," Despegar finishes 2019 strong with 10% revenue increase
By Steven Lerner | March 5, 2020
Despegar ended 2019 on a high note with a 10% increase in fourth quarter revenue to $145.6 million,... Read More
Digital identity solution Airside gets strategic investment from Amadeus Ventures
News / Technology
Digital identity solution Airside gets strategic investment from Amadeus Ventures
By Steven Lerner | March 5, 2020
For its first investment of 2020, Amadeus Ventures is backing mobile identity solution Airside for an... Read More
Hostelworld 2019 earnings
News / Online
Hostelworld suffers 9% EBITDA decline in 2019, expects loss due to coronavirus
By Steven Lerner | March 4, 2020
Hostelworld Group reports a 9% decrease in EBITDA to €20.5 million for the full-year in 2019 and... Read More
oaky funding
News / Technology
Hospitality startup Oaky raises $9.5M to develop upsell technology
By Steven Lerner | March 4, 2020
Hotel upsell platform Oaky is embarking on its next phase of growth and development following its... Read More
Waymo funding
News / Technology
Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle unit Waymo rides off with $2.25B investment
By Steven Lerner | March 4, 2020
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Google’s parent Alphabet Inc., is welcoming its first... Read More
Goodbooker-startup-stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: GoodBooker wants to end homelessness with every hotel booked
By Steven Lerner | March 3, 2020
For every hotel room booked on its platform, GoodBooker gives funding to leading homeless charities... Read More
Travelzoo-earnings-2019
News / Online
Travelzoo posts declining operating profit in Q4, pins hope on acquisition of Jack’s Flight Club
By Steven Lerner | March 2, 2020
Travelzoo reported a decrease in operating profit to $818,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from $2.8... Read More
Limehome welcomes €21M in funding to grow apart-hotel concept
News / Technology
Limehome welcomes €21M in funding to grow apart-hotel concept
By Steven Lerner | March 2, 2020
Alternative accommodations provider Limehome has raised €21 million, bringing its total funding to... Read More

Steven's most recent articles

trivago ceo interview covid recovery
News / Online
Q&A: Trivago CEO shares vision for “moment in time” when travel resumes in a post-crisis world
Trivago CEO Axel Hefer discusses his outlook for travel, how Trivago is preparing for the future and... Read More
hotelmize series b
News / Technology
Hotelmize raises Series B funding from Alibaba, establishes APAC headquarters in Hong Kong
 Hotelmize is aiming to gain a foothold in Asia Pacific and to expand operations in the region... Read More
Air Doctor funding
News / Technology
Health startup Air Doctor gets $7.8M to make medical care accessible for travelers
With health becoming a major concern in the travel industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a... Read More
coronavirus destroys startup funding
News / Startups
Funding for travel startups was plentiful - then came coronavirus
Entrepreneur Souzana Theodoridou explains how a funding deal for travel experience platform Grekaddict... Read More
funding Huilianyi
News / Technology
Business travel platform Huilianyi raises $42M, aims for global expansion
Shanghai-based business travel platform Huilianyi has landed RMB 300 million (about $42 million) in... Read More
Via 200M investment
News / Technology
Despite difficult times, ride-share company Via lands $200M investment
 Real-time ride-sharing company Via is now valued at a $2.25 billion thanks to a new $200 million... Read More
startups hibernation mode
News / Startups
Should travel startups go into “hibernation mode” during the coronavirus?
Venture capitalists weigh in on how travel startups could survive the economic fallout from COVID-19.... Read More
haunted financial
News / Online
Could addiction to debt come back to haunt some online travel companies?
If revenue drops due to COVID-19, past debt will make it more challenging for online travel companies... Read More
Electric air taxi company Lilium raises $240M toward developing regional service
News / Technology
Electric air taxi company Lilium raises $240M toward developing regional service
The German company is developing an emissions-free, vertical takeoff air taxi that it plans to operate... Read More
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September 8, 2026
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IHG working with Google agentic booking pilot, wider AI initiatives
August 11, 2026
IHG working with Google agentic booking pilot, wider AI initiatives
IHG confirmed its participation in Google's agentic AI booking pilot during its H1 2026 earnings... Read More