Traveling Blog: Corporate Travel Innovators + Balkans Tourism Boom + Airline Pillow Caper

April 23, 2018

Note From the Editor

Who are the women and men making things interesting in corporate travel in 2018? No worries, because today we're launching the Skift 2018 Corporate Travel Innovators List to recognize these disruptors and to point out where they are making headway.

One area that is getting disrupted elsewhere — after a fashion — is the premium sections of airline cabins because the amenities there are getting so cool or luxurious that passengers are stealing them. It's a big problem for airline bean counters when they take inventory of those Casper mattress pads and pillows that somehow go missing. Passengers are padding their personal collections, and the airlines are definitely taking notice and figuring out ways to politely fight back.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

Now Is the Time to Buy Your Skift Forum Europe Ticket

Our CEO Rafat Ali personally invites you one last time to Skift Forum Europe this week! It's not too late to pack your bags for Berlin. Take 20% OFF your ticket when you use code RAFAT — But act fast! This chance to save ends today.

Corporate travel is extremely resistant to innovation because a select handful of gatekeepers make it difficult for new entrants to gain access to the content and data that is needed. These players are driving the industry forward by fixing how travelers book and experience business travel.

Airline Upgrades Lead to a Purloined Pillow Problem

Why can't business class passengers have nice things? Here's one problem: When airlines upgrade their amenities, passengers often steal them.

TripAdvisor Buys Tours and Activities Tech Provider Bokun as Connectivity Race Heats Up

We said there would be more consolidation in the tours and activities space, and the ink was hardly dry when TripAdvisor announced the acquisition of Bokun. This enables TripAdvisor to provide an end-to-end solution without having to rely on third party vendors to bring tours and activities suppliers on board.

The Balkans, Yes, The Balkans, Lead Europe's New Tourism Push

Long overshadowed by "Old Europe" for tourism, the Balkans are emerging as the center of "New Europe." But you better book now since the travelers' secret is out.

Skift Forum Europe Preview: Airbnb's Jeroen Merchiers on the Battle with Booking

You won't want to miss what Merchiers has to say about the battle for online travel dominance, as well as Airbnb's growth plans for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa this week at the Skift Forum Europe.

Airbnb has formally entered the meetings and events sector with a simple widget and landing page. It will be much more interesting when Airbnb decides to use its platform to sell actual meeting space to organizers, since a global race is on among technology platforms to crack the online booking market for small and simple meetings.

Booking Holdings Buys Activities Distribution Startup FareHarbor

Only a couple of years ago, the CEO of family-owned activities distributor FareHarbor said the company would never sell. But never say never. For Booking Holdings, this is further proof that the giant wants to be full-service.

Marriott Finally Reveals How It Will Combine All 3 of Its Loyalty Programs

How much do we want to bet that the new loyalty brand that debuts next year turns out to be Marriott Preferred Guest? Or better yet, just Marriott Rewards?

For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.

You received this email because you are subscribed to Skift Daily Newsletter from Skift.