Traveling

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Expedia's Hidden Advantage + Accor Builds U.S. Footprint + Sabre's Turnaround

August 1, 2018

Editor's Note

When it comes to being clever with new offerings that wow customers, online travel has just not been all that innovative. There's an irony there for a sector that disrupted an entire industry a couple of decades ago with one mighty, innovative new model.

Executive Editor Dennis Schaal writes that some of the mojo may be back, as competitors HotelTonight and Expedia launched new features recently that amount to significant shifts in the way online players have marketed hotels to consumers, and which are sure to be sticky with travelers searching online. Both say the programs allow for hotels to target customers in the stealthy ways they like. Even if the new features are a bust, it's just refreshing to see the online players taking a shot at something new.

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Royal Caribbean Is Giving Its New Silversea Fleet a Luxury Upgrade

It's probably good news that the first move Royal Caribbean made after closing its majority stake in Silversea was announcing improvements to its fleet. We'll be curious to see what those upgrades include — and how the experience changes for passengers.


Sabre Sees Gains After Tech Investment Turnaround

Think of travel tech giant Sabre as being like an orchestra. CEO Sean Menke has been like a conductor replacing lead players and changing the tune. So far, investors like what they hear.


European Heat Wave to Singe Thomas Cook's Profits

The impact of the heat wave isn't as bad as some expected, but it has put a damper on what was turning out to be a good year.


Lufthansa Still Has Its Eye on Alitalia

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Making Sense of the Hyatt, NH Hotels, Minor International Saga Thus Far

Would NH Hotel Group have been better off with Hyatt? Perhaps we'll never know. But maybe there's another company out there that isn't afraid to get into a bidding war with Minor?


Belize Is Latest Test Ground for Luxury Development and Environment

Belize should serve as a case study for conscious luxury development. There will be successes and lessons to watch for in the coming years as the effects of a small group of hoteliers' decisions play out in the local environment and culture.

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Trivago and Booking Slash U.S. TV Ad Spending

Trivago and Booking.com have dramatically reduced their U.S. TV advertising. Trivago is doing so to try to stem losses, and Booking.com, which last year indicated it would lean into TV advertising, may be trying to tighten control of some marketing costs.


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