The new structure covers the functions of commercial strategy, strategic partnerships, global business services, product management, retail travel agencies, wholesale and sourcing.
If the hotel “book direct” battle turns into a legitimate pricing war, hotel brands and hotel owners have a considerably worse downside than OTAs, by more than a factor of 2x.
Hopper, the flight booking application that offers predictive pricing analytics, has launched Hopper Hotels, a new component to the that allows users to book accommodation.
Hotels are now experimenting with different book-direct incentives, but Trivago, compared to the online travel agencies, has no special incentives for booking direct.
Research projects that airline ancillary revenue will have a 264% increase from the 2010 figure of $22.6 billion; a la carte pricing delivers an increase of nearly $15 billion.
The three GDS giants were charged of market monopoly by 21 consumers two years ago. Travelport has reached a settlement agreement, but Sabre and Amadeus still remain defendants.
The hospitality industry is increasingly looking for innovative technology to adapt its inventory and distribution systems and – in colloquial terms – sweat its assets.
The Lufthansa Group intends to capitalise on the growing reach of Alibaba and other ecosystems. The complexion of digital commerce can change in the next few years in China.
