The European Commission is fining Google €4.34 billion for what the Commission considers illegal practices involving the Android platform that “cement its dominant market position in internet search.” Google’s parent company Alphabet has 90 days to pay the fine or face further penalties. There were three charges against the…
The European Technology & Travel Services Association (ETSSA) has launched a formal complaint against the European Commission for failing to take action over Lufthansa’s imposition of a surcharge for bookings made through global distribution systems (GDS). ETTSA, which represents the major GDS owners and leading online travel agencies, has…
This is a viewpoint by Troy Scoffield, analytics PM, travel and tourism at Bing Ads. Looking to get away from it all but only have a two or three-day weekend? You’re not alone. Increasingly, travelers are forgoing longer vacations in favor of more frequent weekend getaways to ease their…
Amadeus has published a report which shines a light on traveller motivation and the cognitive processes that lead to conversions. The old saying ‘you’re spoiled for choice,’ plays a significant role in booking hesitation. “The Importance of Understanding Travelers’ Motivation” takes as its starting point the fact that online…
This is a viewpoint by Alessandra Alari, head of search at Google UK. Whenever a holiday comes around, I find there is a certain task on my to-do list that fills me with a profound sense of dread: packing. The process of condensing your life into a small portable…
Hotels are achieving higher average daily rates (ADR) from consumers who book packages rather than just rooms, according to data from Expedia Group. The online travel giant said consumers buying packages paid around 30% more in ADR than those making standalone hotel bookings. The study further revealed that package…
A new study by CapGemini finds that consumers are ready to embrace AI support, and that AI interactions, if properly designed, can enhance the personal connection they feel to brands. The study is comprehensive – it is based on surveys of 10,000 consumers from 10 different markets and covers…
This is a viewpoint by Margaret Ady, co-founder of Apaleo. Patrick Fisher of Thomson Reuters notes in a recent blog post that, “As technologies become more and more pervasive across industries and functions, companies as varied as Goldman Sachs, Exxon, GE, Citi, and Walmart are all becoming technology companies…
Booking Holdings has invested $500 million in mobility giant DiDi Chuxing and announced a strategic partnership, based around cross-selling each other’s inventory. This morning’s statement said: “Booking Holdings brands will have the ability to offer on-demand car service through their apps, powered by DiDi, and DiDi customers will have…
Southeast Asian restaurant booking platform Eatigo has secured more funding from existing investor TripAdvisor. The scale of TripAdvisor’s latest move has not been disclosed, although reports are putting it in the $10 million range. TripAdvisor took part in Eatigo’s Series B round in October 2016, also undisclosed. Today’s statement…