Traveling Blog: Ryanair Fuels Gloomy Prediction + Expedia Spends Big on Tours + Google's Travel Ambitions

April 30, 2018

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Note From the Editor

Among the many lively conversations that took place last week at Skift Forum Europe in Berlin was one from Kenny Jacobs, the CMO of Ryanair, who talked about the impact of higher fuel prices. His observations were timely and prescient, in the self-interested way that only a top marketing executive could deliver. He predicted some of his competitors could actually go out of business under the weight of rising fuel prices.

Higher oil prices should concern everyone in the travel industry — lulled into complacency in recent years by sustained lower energy costs. We've heard some warnings already from companies midway through this earnings season. Ryanair's Jacobs may have been too apocalyptic but clearly the travel companies are bracing for a summer of sticker shock. Skift will be there to deliver the insights on the fallout.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

There Are Only 6 Weeks Until Skift Tech Forum in Silicon Valley

We're home from Berlin after a successful Skift Forum Europe, but that doesn't mean we're slowing down. Now the countdown begins for the inaugural Skift Tech Forum on June 12th! Join us in the heart of Silicon Valley with talks from 20+ CEOs, CTOs, and CDOs defining the industry.

Where there is smoke there is fire and Sebastien Bazin's comments at Skift Forum Europe last week hinted at an imminent deal.

Ryanair Executive Predicts Higher Fuel Prices Will Tank Some Competitors

Ryanair might have lost a step last year when a pilot scheduling problem forced it to cancel thousands of flights. But the airline seems to have its swagger back.

Expedia Sold More Than $500 Million in Tours and Activities in 2017

Expedia's half-billion dollars of online sales may seem large. But it's a tiny sum in the context of the company's overall sales. It is still early days for the online management and distribution of activities, despite the recent frenzy of startup acquisition.

Google Plans to String Its Travel Assets Together

We come in peace, a top Google executive essentially said while addressing the travel industry on Thursday at Skift Forum Europe in Berlin. One possible industry response might be: "Trust, but verify."

Lyft Continues to Gain Ground in Business Travel Ground Transportation

Beyond the Uber and Lyft drama here, the deeper trend seems to be companies and travel managers allowing business travelers to make their own choices about which ground transportation option they prefer. This represents a major change from how things used to be, and it is good news for the industry.

Booking.com CMO: FareHarbor Was a Smarter Buy Than GetYourGuide

Whether the price tag on GetYourGuide was too much for Booking to admit, the tours and activities platform is likely still viewed as a viable buy for someone but that notion won't do much to calm GetYourGuide's nerves in the meantime.

AccorHotels CEO Gets Candid About Moving Hospitality Beyond Hotels

AccorHotels wants to evolve from a hospitality company to a services and experience platform for travelers and locals alike. CEO Bazin is willing to take risks to achieve this goal, even if some of the company's investments don't ever pay off.

Apple Leisure Group CEO Says Mark Travel Merger Is Win-Win for Travel Agents

Many travel agents will have the benefit of selling a wider variety of packages from one distribution channel because of this deal, but will this industry giant really want to give travel agents, and their clients, the best rates if agents don't have anywhere else to turn? Time will tell.

Travel Industry Study Tour Is Going Behind the Scenes in Silicon Valley

Sponsored by Silicon Valley Unlocked

Skift Tech Forum is partnering with Silicon Valley Unlocked to give travel industry innovators an inside look at how the most successful companies in tech operate.

BlaBlaCar Buys Less to Plug a Carpooling Tech Gap

It's too early to know if short-distance, urban carpooling from BlaBlaCar can effectively compete with taxis and car-hailing apps like Cabify, Lyft, and Uber. But as a defensive experiment, the move makes sense.

If you (re)build it, they will come. That's the motto of Expedia Group CEO Mark Okerstrom for 2018.

Frequent Travelers Once More Vote Marriott and Southwest as Top Loyalty Programs

Marriott Rewards and Southwest Rapid Rewards are still dominating the Freddie awards, for which frequent travelers choose their favorite loyalty programs. This year's results, announced just last week, are almost identical to last year's.

Guesty Raises $19 Million for Vacation Rental Sales: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Travel startups raised more than $128 million this week. Tel Aviv-based Guesty, which is like a Salesforce for vacation rental property managers, was one of the fortunate companies.

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