Diller Backs Regulating Google + United's Fuel Cost Fix + Anticipating Unicorn IPOs

The Travel Industry's Daily Agenda-Setting Newsletter

October 17, 2018

Editor's Note Finally. After years of speculation about whether some big disruptors in travel, Uber and Lyft, will go public, we have some momentum. Will Airbnb be far behind? The news of underwriters being selected for Lyft and of new valuations being calculated for Uber is a significant step forward for both. If economic conditions keep in check and the stock market settles, we could finally get some long-awaited clarity on both companies in 2019 as they file financials ahead of their IPOs. Executive Editor Dennis Schaal breaks down what it means for travel, and offers some history on how big players have done in the past when they made the jump into public markets. Tuesday's reports on Lyft and Uber have set the stage, as we all wait for what Airbnb will do next. As Kayak CEO Steve Hafner told Schaal: "It's going to be fun to watch." — Tom Lowry, Managing Editor How Meeting and Event Planners Can Master Smart Revenue Management Sponsored by IDeaS Revenue Solutions Until recently, the meeting and event industry was playing a game of catch-up when it came to revenue management. But thanks to new available industry-specific tools, developing a well-executed revenue management strategy is a lot more attainable than it once was. Read More Top Stories Expedia's Barry Diller Calls on Google to Be Regulated Diller is one of the godfathers of online travel and Expedia is probably among the top two travel advertisers in Google. Whether his comments will lead to lobbying or business practice changes is today's multibillion dollar question. Uber, Airbnb and Lyft Are Setting Up 2019 as a Landmark Year in Travel IPOs In initial public offering land, it's a long time until 2019. The markets are turbulent at the moment and there are big regulatory headaches that stubbornly persist, but investors are salivating at the prospect of dropping some money into Uber and/or Airbnb. These IPO plans could be very impactful. United Airlines Avoids Fuel Cost Hit to Earnings With Higher Ticket Prices We told you United would probably turn things around on finances when it hired revenue whiz Scott Kirby back in August 2016. And look what's happening. Now, it's time for the airline to improve its customer service, too. New Skift Research Weighs Regulations on Airbnb Versus Overall Economic Benefits The regulatory environment for Airbnb is becoming increasingly more restrictive, but completely wiping out Airbnb as an alternative for travel accommodations via regulation won't necessarily be beneficial from an economic standpoint. Parks Operator Merlin Starts to See Recovery in London Market It looks like things are starting to turn around for Merlin in its key London market. We'll have to wait until its annual results later this year for the full picture. Cvent Buys Social Tables as Event Tech Consolidation Escalates Cvent is working methodically to expand its offerings in the small meeting space by acquiring Kapow and now Social Tables. Social Tables found success streamlining obvious pain points for planners, which is something Cvent can learn from going forward. How Nihi Hotels Adds a Wild Side to Luxury Travel Modern luxury doesn't necessarily need overly formal staff and a stuffy atmosphere. It can be "consistently inconsistent," and yet still be totally unforgettable. Measuring the Value of Wellness to a Hotel Brand Every time you turn around these days, a major hotel company is announcing that it has hired a chief wellness officer. But will this wave of devotion to wellness be a phase or a long-lasting phenomenon? Look to the return on investment for that answer. Special Skift Forum Asia Preview Session Is Happening Tomorrow Join Skift in the ITB Asia Knowledge Theatre tomorrow to hear from CEO Rafat Ali and executives of Intrepid Travel, Anywhr, REAPRA, and more. Register now with 50% off code TV-Skift50! Group Booking Pace Slows in Tight Market for Meetings New research from Cvent shows that group business is declining for U.S. hotels, and planners are booking room blocks closer to the date of their event than before. This is bad news for hotels, which rely on group bookings to boost business. Popular Now How Big a Problem Are the Growing Worker Strikes for Marriott? It's Marriott under fire now, but keep an eye on the broader hospitality and travel services industry in the U.S. Video: Marriott's New Reservations System Could Be Its Secret Weapon in Direct Booking Wars Expect all the other major hotel brands to be revamping their reservations systems just like IHG has, and Marriott soon will, too. Expedia CEO: Mergers and Acquisitions Are Always on the Table An Expedia acquisition of Thomas Cook? While problematic on many fronts, including buying all of those offline agents, it isn't out of the question. Consider that Expedia would gain access to a customer base in Europe that it hardly touches. Expedia's Barry Diller has made a ton of acquisitions. He and Okerstrom are hardly done yet. 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.

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