Traveling Blog: Art Meets Vacation + Carnival's Ship Shuffle + JetBlue Hikes Fees

What Topics Will We Cover At Skift Global Forum

August 30, 2018

Editor's Note

We've heard a lot about convergence, namely how there's no such thing as alternative lodging anymore because accommodation types are blending. Hotels are dabbling in vacation rentals, and Airbnb is busy signing up independent hotels.

This mash-up came to mind when considering Travel Tech Editor Sean O'Neill's story today about vacation rental network Red Awning acquiring Leavetown. Red Awning uses back-end software geared for individual vacation rentals, and Leavetown's tech stack is more hotel-like in that it is suited for properties with lots of rooms. O'Neill speculates that in the future, such distribution software would likely cover a range of lodging types rather than have a singular focus. You'll learn a lot from his story. We definitely did.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

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Why Context Is Key in the New World of Airline Retailing

These days, not all experiences are created equal. In-depth, time-consuming, even taxing activities will actually do the word "experience" justice, though they may not attract the mainstream.

Is JetBlue Risking Its Brand Equity by Leading on Checked Bag Fees?

At Skift, we know more than most that airlines are in business to maximize revenue. But $30 for one checked bag seems a little extreme, no? Let's hope other carriers don't match JetBlue.

Black Travel Founders Wary of Investment If It Means Loss of Control

Venture capital has definite appeal for founders looking to scale faster, but some black travel entrepreneurs would rather avoid that discriminatory world.

Carnival Is Blanketing the U.S. With Its Newest, Biggest Ships

As cruise lines roll out new ships, they're showing them off to more markets. Carnival's approach — spreading its newest capacity around to several different ports — gives it the opportunity to reach a wide swath of the U.S.

Vacation Rental Network RedAwning Buys Leavetown to Enroll Multi-Unit Properties

RedAwning's acquisition of Leavetown suggests that marketing and distribution technology built separately for rentals and hotels may one day blend into all-purpose software for all types of lodging.

eDreams Odigeo Looks to a Future With More Transparency

No matter the motive, being more transparent is a good move for eDreams Odigeo. The big problem is time. How long will it take for the new strategy to pay off, and will investors give the management team breathing room to make the required changes?

Australia's Corporate Travel Management Finds Its Global Expansion Pays Off

Corporate Travel Management continues to grow worldwide, fueled by acquisitions and its prowess across Asia. The global business travel boom has continued unabated.

What Eventbrite's Rise Means for Everyone Else

If Eventbrite indeed goes public, watch to see whether it continues its spending-fueled period of growth or transitions into a more risk-averse period. The global event market is still booming, but growth can come at a steep cost with a lack of focus on innovation.

Exclusive Interview: Skift CEO Rafat Ali and hotelnews

Sponsored by hotelnews

Skift CEO Rafat Ali spoke with hotelnews, our partner in the Brazilian hospitality and tourism market, about the state of the industry and thoughts on the future. Read the full interview here.

Iceland should be a good air market right now. But increased competitive capacity is putting major pressure on Icelandair. The carrier's new CEO is going to have to find a way to get the airline back on track.

This Is a Pivotal Moment for Booking Site Marketing Strategies

Suddenly those seemingly free-spending online travel agencies, which have made Google rich, are toning down their big-spending ways. Google shouldn't be too worried: Expedia and Booking Holdings are still spending billions of dollars on search-engine marketing, but they've just become a bit more stingy. And, they hope, wise.

GoEuro Touts Growth in Ground Transport But Sees No Profit in Sight

GoEuro CEO Naren Shaam said his company is having strong growth in helping consumers book intercity trips on their smartphones. But can he guide his company into profitability?

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