Traveling Blog: Weekend Review: TripAdvisor's Reorganization + Tech Backlash and Travel

January 13, 2018

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Note From the Editor

TripAdvisor had to do something to reverse its decline, and this week we found out the company's answer was to reorganize its business units, and see the departure of two top marketing and sales executives, both women. Were they the fall guys? If TripAdvisor doesn't right its course in 2018, then more heads will roll.

How does the travel industry roll ahead given a mounting tech backlash to our hyper-connected, always-on daily lives? Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali raised provocative questions about the issue in an essay this week.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

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It is widely acknowledged that TripAdvisor needed to reinvigorate its business and product lines after a difficult transition to hotel metasearch and instant booking. The company believes the new internal structure will give its units that enhanced focus.

The Coming Tech Backlash and What It Means for Travel

While the larger world is asking questions and turning on Silicon Valley, and the tools and culture it spawned, it is time for everyone — including us in travel — to pause to account for the society we are creating. The tech and social media backlash happening right now is a test for us in travel, as well.

The Airport of the Future May Evolve From Transport Hub to Attraction

Airport architects are busy rethinking the terminal experience, and that's a good thing. But don't expect any major changes, at least not soon. Instead, travelers will get incremental improvements.

CES 2018 Report: A New Data Era Will Reshape the Travel Industry

Consumer behavior will shift in drastic ways in coming years, powered by a new generation of devices with ridiculously fast data connections and the mainstreaming of gadgets that have been niche products until now.

JFK Airport's Terminal Setup Contributed to the Storm-Recovery Fiasco

Most of the world's airports have lots of "common-use gates" that can be used by any carrier. Not JFK. It operates under a different model, and that has been a big problem over the past week.

Skift Is Hiring a Research Director and Sales Executive to Start 2018

Come work for the best travel media company on the planet!

Hospitality

China Shuts Down Marriott's Website and Mobile App Over Tibet Gaffe

This incident is a tough reminder for Marriott and many other global that when it comes to China, especially, everything is politics.

Luxury Hoteliers Believe Customization Is Key to Winning Over Millennials

Customization, wellness, and technology are must-haves for any luxury hotel brand that wants to remain relevant — regardless of the age of their customers.

Airbnb Co-Founder Wants to Offer All Forms of Travel

Airbnb has been moving beyond homesharing for awhile now. After venturing into experiences and dining, what part of travel will the company tackle next?

Flying

Airlines Turn to Private Messaging to Avoid Social Media Blowups

Airlines and their passengers are embracing private messaging to resolve issues. That's good for customers, who don't need to wait on hold for an agent. And it's helpful for airlines too, because agents can respond to more than one message at a time.

Delta Finds Passengers Paying for Upgrades With Their Own Money Is Big Business

You don't expect corporate travelers to dip into their own pockets on business trips. But certain travelers love to fly in premium cabins, and that's good news for Delta's revenues, which were already strong.

British Airways Plan to Add 'Pre-Reclining' Seats Actually Makes Sense — Airline Innovation Report

We all wish British Airways hadn't decided to shrink seat pitch. But once it did so, it was smart to go with so-called pre-reclined seats. When there's so little space between seats, passengers don't need another passenger reclining into them.

Tourism

U.S. Tourism Confronting Its Worst Year Since the Financial Crisis

It's becoming clearer that 2017 has gone down as one of the worst and most challenging years for U.S. tourism in recent memory. In 2018, many destinations will likely step up their marketing of discounted options to get more foreign feet and spending power through their doors.

Tourism Under Trump Year 1 Adversely Impacted the U.S. Brand

We knew 2017 was going to be a wild ride for U.S. tourism and that's certainly how it played out. Although many of Trump's policies did more harm than good for the travel industry, some could have been much worse.

U.S. Travel Is Launching a Coalition to Break Through to Trump

The U.S. travel industry doesn't feel its approach to the Trump administration in 2017 was sufficient, and it's taking the next step. The old playbook for dealing with the White House is no longer relevant as travel and related industries try to find their footing.

Digital

Vacation Rental Search Startups Face Intensifying Rivalry

Tripping, a leader among vacation rental price-comparison startups, is facing fierce competition from rivals like HomeToGo, Holidu, and Hundredrooms thanks to a flurry of fundings in the past year.

Corporate Travel Can't Afford to Miss the Next Wave of Consumer Technology

Consumer technology is undergoing a transformation, powered by artificial intelligence and voice commands. Corporations should pay attention to how their travelers' behavior shifts in order to stay in front of upcoming trends.

Smart Robots at CES Have a Lot to Learn Before Hotels End Up Using Them

Despite some progress, it doesn't seem like robotics will disrupt travel and hospitality any time soon. The human element is too important for hotels, and travelers don't need unnecessary equipment to make their trips even more complicated.

Loyalty

How Asian Airline Alliances Could Change in 2018 — Business of Loyalty

Thanks to interest from U.S. carriers, the power dynamic of airlines in the Far East could change dramatically this year.

Virgin America Is No Longer an Airline in the Government's Eyes

Slowly, Virgin America is disappearing. That's bad news for its loyal customers in San Francisco, Los Angeles and other parts of the country. But it's necessary. Virgin America was too small as a stand-alone carrier to compete with the nation's four largest carriers.

U.S. Airlines Cancelled Fewer Flights Than Usual in November

Maybe airline service isn't as strong as most customers would like. But there's no mistaking the data. Operationally, many U.S. airlines are stronger than ever. That's good news for passengers who want to get to their destination on time.

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