How Luxury Travel Is Leading the Recovery: A Skift Deep Dive
We could all use a splurge after what we've been through. That's why upscale leisure travel is starting to sprint ahead for a phased, market-by-market recovery.
Sean O’Neill is Skift’s Senior Hospitality Editor. Sean’s forte is reporting, and he’s broken multiple hotel industry scoops. He has also conducted 1:1 interviews on stage with the CEOs of Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and Wyndham.
Startup Guesty Raises $50 Million for Tech Services for Short-Term Rentals
It's undoubtedly a boom time for Guesty, which helps streamline and automate key parts of short-term rental management. But what will happen when the publicly held tech giants enter the sector with their wares. Will they dominate, just like they've dominated the hotel tech sector?
Flight Schedule Service OAG Partners With Microsoft and Snowflake for Data Upgrades
Aviation folks of a certain vintage will recall how OAG used to publish passenger flight schedules in book format once a month. My, how times have changed.
Regent Raises $9 Million for Flying Ferries: Travel Startup Funding This Week
This week, travel startups announced more than $168 million in funding. Investors bet on concepts that included a flying hydrofoil, long-haul ground transport, a Chinese version of TripActions, Muslim travel, carbon-free air travel, contactless tech for hotels, and more.
4 Key Takeaways From Skift’s Loyalty and Subscription Summit
The pandemic has proven the resilience of loyalty programs. But it has also suggested the need for travel brands to supplement their loyalty programs with subscription-based products that address complementary needs.
Tripadvisor Bets Subscriptions Will Foster Resilience in the Travel Industry
Access, curation, and creating value for both consumers and suppliers are critical to the success of Tripadvisor's new subscription product, says a top executive. The company's still working out the kinks with Tripadvisor Plus, but the early word is promising.
Startup BlaBlaCar Raises $115 Million for Long-Distance Carpooling and Bus Travel
Despite the pandemic, BlaBlaCar served 50 million passengers in carpools or buses in 2020, which shows remarkable resilience. The French startup has aggressive plans to create a rail service, debut a travel booking app for travelers, and expand its bus network much farther outside of Europe.
Tax-Free Airport Shopping Evaluated by EU Over Antitrust Claims
Global Blue helps international travelers handle refund claims for value-added tax (VAT) on purchases in the European Union. It now faces allegations that it doesn't play fair. We hope the regulators' review takes less time than it does to stand in line for a VAT refund at an airport.
Apple’s Privacy Update May Cripple Some Travel Ad Campaigns
Travel marketers need to fine-tune their digital advertising tactics in response to Apple's imminent privacy move. New data from adtech firm Criteo underscores the opportunities as well as the challenges.
Bandwango Raises $3 Million for Destination Marketing Tech: Travel Startup Funding This Week
It's good to see startups focusing on destination marketers' needs. Marketers will need all the help they can get to grab their share of the travel recovery.