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…
Destination experiences app Headout has secured $10 million in new investment to fund expansion plans. Headout, which promotes itself as being a “mobile-first entertainment marketplace”, uses its app to connect tourists with activity providers for last-minute bookings, with the majority of sales made on the same day. The start-up,…
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has developed a prototype robot companion Care-E, a smart self-driving baggage trolley that can guide passengers through the airport while carrying their hand luggage up to 85 pounds. KLM’s Care-E was given a personality feature, intended to match the friendliness and special care that KLM…
Sponsored by Datalex. As we look at the major trends in the travel industry, one thing is clear – the future of travel retail will become more and more personalized. Airlines want to leverage the rich customer data they hold. The emergence of new AI technologies combined with new industry…
Online travel company lastminute.com group launched its advertising platform Travel People two years ago and has signed partnership deals with Spotify, Rough Guides and AccuWeather among others. Travel People allows clients to advertise across lastminute’s five brands, including lastminute.com, Rumbo, bravofly and Volagratis, as well as working with nine…
Research by Expedia Group Media Solutions on the habits of travelers from Latin America finds that they seek inspiration from a variety of sources, most often turning to OTAs for information before booking. The research is based on surveys conducted online and in person this March of 3,000 travelers,…