Restaurants and historic places were the two most popular categories that Facebook users “checked-in” on the social network in the summer season of 2016. Data released by Facebook, also covering sister photo-sharing site Instagram, coincides with a ramping up of efforts to target travel brands with its Dynamic Ads…
The factors that motivate and drive booking decisions for travellers from Southeast Asia are revealed in a new report from Phocuswright. The rising middle class in this region, includes a growing population of young, tech-savvy consumers who are eager to travel, the majority of them motivated by a desire…
This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel distribution in May 2017. Monday 1 May 2017: WestJet NDC thumbs-up WestJet received IATA’s New Distribution Capability level 2 certification, confirming the carrier’s ability to send and receive NDC messages. It is the first Canadian airline to do…
Airbnb introduced “Business Travel Ready,” a program that aims to provide business travelers with the most appropriate accommodations. It also offers a range of tools for corporate travel managers. The program is designed to provide all the comforts of home – a kitchen, a comfortable workspace, a parking space…
Communications and system management service RoomChecking has raised a €750,000 funding round from a trio of investors. Astotel Group, Maurience Hurand Hotels and BPI are backing the company in the investment. RoomChecking is part of the Microsoft Ventures Paris startup programme. It provides technology to properties so that they can manage…
Holger Bartel, CEO of deals publisher Travelzoo, has prioritised giving its 29 million members more exclusive offers and a loyalty scheme after a disappointing start to the financial year. For the first three months of 2017, Travelzoo’s revenue was down in all three regions it operates in: North America…
More multi-digit deals in the global taxi app sector, the biggest of which is China’s Didi closing a $5.5 billion funding round. Bloomberg says this is the biggest ever funding round for a tech business and values Didi at $40 billion. Reuters puts the valuation north of $50 billion….
Airlines that are implementing flavours of the IATA New Distribution Capability standard are, ironically, adding complexity to air distribution. And, so far, this goes against initial claims that NDC would simplify distribution. Bosses from large travel management firms would like to be able to easily add more airlines but…
There’s no denying that ideal pricing is important to an intelligent revenue strategy. A hotel’s pricing strategy significantly contributes to profitable revenue management approaches, with surges in technology, social media and online booking platforms providing sheathes of data to incorporate into pricing decisions. NB: This is a viewpoint by…
Facebook will now allow airlines to target users of the site with content based on when and where people perhaps want to travel. The functionality is available on both Facebook and its sister photo-sharing service Instagram. The ads can be based on location, time and other factors, tapping into the…