Traveling Blog: OTAs Vs. Airbnb (Again) + Lufthansa's Hedge Against Disruptors + American Does Loyalty & Data

March 13, 2018

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Editor's Note

Expedia and Booking.com hardly needed a wakeup call — they knew this was coming. Airbnb launched an advertising and marketing campaign today appealing to boutique hotel and bed-and-breakfast owners to shun the online travel agencies' exorbitant commissions in favor of Airbnb's cheaper variety.

And the open letter to hoteliers lets them know that Airbnb has the crowd they're presumably after — namely millennials and international travelers — so come enjoy the Airbnb distribution experience.

Airbnb has landed the first blow. And if you want to listen to a blow by blow account of Airbnb's threat to bigger hotels and online travel agencies, then join us in a Skift Call today at 1 p.m. EST. It's free, just see the details below.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

Skift Video: Transforming an Airplane Hangar Into an Immersive Event Space

It's time for us to really show you why you MUST be there with us to experience everything Berlin has to offer. With just six weeks until Skift Forum Europe, tickets are selling fast. Register today to secure your spot!

Airbnb Makes Its Battle Against Booking and Expedia Official With New Hotel Campaign

The battle for online travel dominance began long ago, but now it's really getting serious. Count this as Airbnb's official opening shot toward Booking and Expedia.

Skift Forum Europe: Lufthansa Group's Innovation Hub Is Its Hedge Against Disruptors

It's not easy to bring the 'fail fast' mantra to an airline. But through its innovation hub in Berlin, Lufthansa is trying to bring some tech-world principles to the airline business. That's a good thing.

Chef David Chang Is a Media Platform Now

While nobody here is doubting David Chang's many talents, we reckon that the bar is very high (and the saturation point is nigh!) in the current food-media landscape, so Majordomo Media will have to work very hard to distinguish itself among the myriads of pre-existing brands that have a well-defined aesthetic, voice, and versatility.

A Boutique Hotelier's Perspective on Co-Working and the Future of Hospitality

The beauty of Ennismore's flagship brand, Hoxton Hotels, is how it distills what the original boutique hotel pioneers did, but makes it relevant to today's audiences on a more equitable, democratic scale. CEO Sharan Pasricha's approach to hospitality — an outsider's perspective, if you will — is equally refreshing.

Skift Call March 13: The Airbnb Threat

When we asked then-Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in 2016 whether Airbnb was going to eat his lunch, he responded that he was very well-nourished. But it now appears as though Airbnb has an insatiable appetite. Join us on a Skift Call March 13 to assess the Airbnb threat to hotels and online travel agencies.

American Airlines Turns to Data to Manage AAdvantage Members

American Airlines has the value of your loyalty down to a science. But can that data prevent elites from defecting to other carriers?

Booking.com now wants to sign up all types of alternative accommodations, even short-term rental apartments that face increased regulation in many cities. CEO Glenn Fogel seems to think that the ultimate winner of the online travel game will be whoever has the most beds in the end.

Southwest Airlines Expects New Hawaii Routes Will 'Ignite' Credit Card Sign-Ups

If you have an airline-branded credit card, you may think you're getting a free ticket. It is free — for you. But often someone is paying for it.

TurnKey Raises $31 Million as Vacation Home Rental Management Stays Hot

Does yet another big funding round signal that the vacation rental property market is over-heated? Nah. It's reasonable given the huge size of the opportunity and how much investment will be needed to digitize and automate the sector.

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