Traveling Blog: Marriott’s China Screwup + TripAdvisor’s New Strategy + Wyndham Sells Vacation Rental Biz

February 16, 2018

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Note From the Editor

It appears as though Airbnb didn't want to pay $1.3 billion for Wyndham's European vacation rental business, or didn't see it as a strategic fit. As we reported Thursday, a private equity firm scooped up the business. Skift Research's Rebecca Stone notes that Platinum Equity is paying 1.7 times sales for Wyndham's European vacation rentals while Expedia shelled out seven times sales for HomeAway, although the two businesses are very different. There are exceptions, but we think a strategic buyer might have been able to do more with these properties than private equity types.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

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If there's anything for other businesses to learn about this snafu, it's this: Don't mess with China.

TripAdvisor Has a TV-Heavy Marketing Strategy That Competitors Are Trying Too

Google execs are not losing any sleep yet, but they are likely aware that some of their largest travel advertisers are starting to favor commercials on TV instead of sponsored search engine links. The big spenders' new strategies will have a rippling impact across other metasearch companies, as well.

Wyndham Sells Its European Vacation Rental Business to a Private Equity Firm for $1.3 Billion

Sorry, Airbnb. Those who follow the vacation rental business closely had a hunch that the business would be gobbled up by private equity and they were right.

Travel Megatrends 2018: Latin America Will Take Nation Branding to New Extremes

Latin America's tourist destinations have excelled at nation branding by creating vibrant and colorful content to entice travelers. In 2018, the region's tourism offices will get more savvy with their digital marketing efforts as the visitor economy grows in importance.

Norwegian Air Plans to Move On From a Terrible 2017 With Fleet Expansion

Norwegian's critics say it is overstretched and unprofitable. So how does the airline counter this? By ramping up its expansion, of course.

Hyatt Is Pursuing Its 'Asset-Lighter' Strategy With Plan to Sell More Properties

It's hard to predict where markets will go, but it seems Hyatt is selling these two properties at an opportune time. How much higher can hotel real estate prices go?

WeTravel Raises $2 Million: Travel Startup Funding This Week

WeTravel finds itself in a competitive payments market. The company had a good first year, and expanding to larger travel companies is likely on its to-do list.

Big Merger Puts Amex GBT in the Expedia and Priceline Neighborhood

Consolidation has been expected across corporate travel, but it was surprising to see American Express Global Business Travel emerge as a buyer so soon after its integration of KDS. As business travel has gone increasingly global, the combination with Hogg Robinson would be in a good spot to service clients across the world.

The direct booking wars are the true infinity war, at least in hospitality. In other words, don't expect a truce anytime soon.

TUI Is Relying on Its Blockchain to Help Boost Profits

TUI seems to have found a good use case for blockchain technology, and the implied cost savings would help boost profits. But could TUI achieve the same result with an alternative?

Airbnb Is Set to Launch a New Tier of Select Properties

You know the saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same"? When it comes to Airbnb's new endeavors in the accommodations space, it is certainly being inventive, but the company is also borrowing heavily from what hotels have been doing for centuries.

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