Traveling Blog: Google's Latest Buy + Amazon's Travel Future + Customs Search Quagmire

December 12, 2018

Today in Travel

In another example of how Skift is offering our exclusive content in new ways, we are creating e-books based on our own research. The latest is Senior Research Analyst Seth Borko's work on the potential Amazon threat in travel. You can read a synopsis of the e-book below. The books are a quicker read than our standard, in-depth reports, but are well worth the $50 price tag. Why should you care? We'll let Borko explain: "Amazon represents a new set of opportunities for travel to redefine itself and open new avenues of growth."

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

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Travel brands must expand their customer retention strategies to go beyond points and rewards systems. Driving long-term loyalty requires rethinking every aspect of the customer journey.

U.S. Customs Isn't Protecting Traveler Data After Electronic Searches

It should come as no surprise that the government isn't following its own rules when it comes to securing the traveler data it seizes from personal devices. Another reminder to take precautions, even if your chance of getting searched is rather low.

Airbnb and Major Landlord Settle Lawsuit Over Subletting Violations

The Miami settlement could have broader implications for Airbnb when other big landlords take it to task for hosts violating their apartment leases. And, it isn't a bad thing for Airbnb to resolve its issues with various regulators and to erase some of these legal irritants when it will likely solicit investors for a 2019 initial public offering.

Google Buys Where Is My Train Acquisition in India Play

Google's acquisition of Bangalore-based Where is my Train validates the growing importance of rail travel — and the anxiety among competitors of its growing reach into travel.

Travel Advisors Warn U.S. Clients to Get Ready for Real ID Deadline

It may seem early to be worrying about the October 2020 deadline for so-called Real IDs for U.S. domestic travel, including U.S. territories, but planning ahead could reduce headaches at the airport or motor vehicle agencies.

Skift Restaurants Forum 2019 Tickets Are Now on Sale

To quote the Jackson 5: We want you back. The second iteration of Skift Restaurants Forum is going to be twice as good as our excellent first year, and we would like you to join us.

Agencies Find Opportunity When Vacations Are Tacked Onto Business Travel

Conventional wisdom says a good travel agent can arrange leisure travel or corporate travel, but not both. Even if it were true, there's nothing to prevent the agency from selling both leisure and business travel — except believing conventional wisdom.

Venture Capital Shows Growing Interest in New Hospitality Models: What Are the Risks?

To quote a smart venture capitalist, "Just because investment money is pouring in doesn't mean all bets are good bets!" WhyHotel itself may be a well-run business, but the sudden rush of venture money into a full array of hospitality businesses does raise eyebrows overall.

The Next Big Destinations for Luxury Brands

Where will luxury travelers be jetting off to in 2019? For clues, look at where the world's high-end brands are opening their newest properties.

Travel Advisor Innovation Report: Bleisure Trend a Mixed Blessing for Agents

As more business travelers view their trips as working vacations, travel advisors must draw on both corporate and leisure travel-planning skills. It's no simple challenge, but it's necessary given the strength of the bleisure travel trend.

The long-predicted buyout of public-company Travelport has happened at a premium of about twice the market capitalization of the company. Expect a spinout of the company's eNett payments division and the proverbial "cost restructuring."

HotelQuickly Disaster Raises Questions on How Travel Search Giants Vet Advertisers

It's a matter of probability that some companies will face cash crunches. It appears HotelQuickly has. But global travel search companies need to detect problems sooner. They must quickly put a pause on referring consumers to troubled companies before too many victims pile up.

South Africa's Visa Policy Is Still Hurting Tourism

South Africa's onerous visa regime for minor travelers continues to hobble its all-important tourism industry. Amendments published last month may look like good news, but read them closely and – industry insiders say – not nearly enough has changed.

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