Robots at the airport. Aeroporto di Roma has adopted a new fully autonomous delivery robot. This means air passengers can scan a QR code to purchase F&B and retail items at the airport and get them delivered right up to the gate in a digital and completely frictionless experience. This is part of their long-term strategy, aimed […]
Tag: OTA
One trick ponies – just 15% of global short term rentals use more than one OTA channel
Check out this Venn diagram from Transparent, which dramatically illustrates how one dimensional the distribution strategies are of most short term rental property managers – just 15% are using a multi-channel strategy – and of course the market dominance of Airbnb. Transparent explains: “In addition to booking power, Airbnb controls the lion’s share of inventory and […]
Agoda goes rogue on pricing
Agoda, the original Asian OTA, has gone rogue on pricing. Multiple hoteliers say Agoda regularly sells unauthorized static wholesale rates through the site, undercutting them on price without any regard for contracts. Other times the feeling is Agoda takes a contracted rate and shaves its margin to push the price below competitor and hotel pricing. Agoda’s […]
OTAs increase market share at supplier’s expense
Online travel agents in the United States now have 39% of the digital travel market and continue taking market share from the suppliers whose products they sell, according to new research from Phocuswright. Phocuswright says the OTA online US travel market share will reach 41% by 2020, with US$81.4 million in online gross bookings. Hotels […]
TripADeal founders sell majority stake to private equity
TripADeal founders Richard Johnston and Norm Black have ceded control of the business they founded in 2011, selling 55% of the company to BGH Capital, which is in the process of buying theme park operator Village Roadshow. Like so many travel companies, TripADeal, which describes itself as an “online travel agent offering bucket list experiences […]