Travel Technology

In digital news this week, Airbnb, Expedia, Tripadvisor, and others reached an unprecedented agreement with the European Union to share data. Will it shift the competitive landscape? Plus, coronavirus has wreaked havoc on global currency markets, which Latin American online travel powerhouse Despegar said could present big challenges.

This is a highly unusual action. It's unclear why the U.S. government would believe a company would compromise the sensitive personal data of U.S. citizens just because it's based in China.

Amadeus, the world's largest provider of ticket distribution and operational software for airlines, is a bellwether for the sector. It had a weak February, but it expects a rebound later this year. The outlook for airlines, however, is less optimistic.

Travelport CEO Greg Webb tells us that the travel distribution giant's private equity investors support a major technology overhaul and that it will involve minimal heartache for agencies. It'll be notable if Travelport's backers defy the reputation of private equity investors for mercilessly extracting value.

Sabre CEO Sean Menke is right to highlight the progress his business has made during the three years since he took the top job. He's also right to insist the company needs to invest more in tech to keep up with the travel industry's pace of digital change. But will investors be patient?

Direct bookings have been harder for smaller hotels and mom-and-pop tour operators to get than for the big guys. Still, tech providers, such as Sojern, Xola, and Destinia, aim to democratize online marketing tools.

Utilizing data is an integral part of how travel brands can offer a better customer experience. But securing this data, protecting customer privacy, and building trust can be equally essential to supporting both the human experience and the bottom line.

For too long, Oracle Hospitality, a giant in the hotel tech space, has prioritized internal needs. Now it's changed its tune. It says it's making hotels the boss. The long overdue customer-first approach is laudable. But there's still work to do.

It's notable that we had a much easier time finding experts who supported Sabre's proposed merger of Farelogix than opponents. But this court case will be decided on legal nuances, and its outcome is impossible to predict. We pity the judge who has to endure this crash course in airline technology and distribution.

Global payments technology and rules are changing swiftly, led by seamless innovations in Asia that are making life easier for consumers. Travel companies of all sizes are finally taking action in order to stay competitive.