Southwest Embraces Kayak’s Business Platform
(“Southwest Airlines Connects to Kayak for Business,” January 12, 2022 via Business Travel News)
It wasn’t that long ago that Southwest, choosing to focus nearly exclusively on its direct channel leisure business, wanted nothing to do with third party distribution channels. Things have obviously changed. Last week, Kayak announced that Southwest’s fares (including discounts and rewards bookings) would be available on Kayak’s business platform, Kayak for Business. According to statements from Southwest, Kayak won’t likely be the last third-party channel to soon feature Southwest’s fares and itineraries.
The Top 10 Most Downloaded Travel Apps in 2021
(“Google Maps Tops in 2021 as Most-Downloaded Travel App,” January 10, 2022 via Yahoo Finance - Top Stories)
Did you make the cut? If you are a hotelier, the answer is no. How about the list of top 10 downloaded online travel booking apps in 2021? Only online booking platform and operator, Oyo, made the list of top 10 downloaded online travel booking apps in 2021. Both Expedia Group and Booking Holdings fared well on the list of online booking app downloads – taking six of the 10 positions combined. Notably, online platform (and widely known provider of a variety of fintech products) Hopper continued to place well on the online travel app list, coming in third. Ever wonder what effect the exploding marketing investments of online travel companies is having, take a look at the two lists.
Have a great week everyone. Stay healthy.
Note, for those you venturing out again to industry events, I plan to attend the ALIS Conference in Los Angeles later this month. If you plan to be in Los Angeles, please let me know.
Other news:
Expedia Returns to Super Bowl Advertising in Sign of Optimism for COVID-Weary Travelers
January 15, 2022 via GeekWire
Expedia Group is coming back to the Super Bowl, offering hope to those who yearn to be back on the beach. The Seattle-based online travel giant confirmed Friday morning that it plans to advertise for its Expedia.com and Vrbo brands during the broadcast for Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, Feb. 13.
Google Represents Ongoing Threat to Online Travel Agencies, Says Globaldata
January 13, 2022 via GlobalData - All news
COVID-19 had a serious impact on online travel agencies (OTAs), according to GlobalData, which notes that the OTA market value decreased by a gruesome 60.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) in 2020. The leading data and analytics company reveals that this strain has amplified OTA’s existing concerns around the growing presence of Google in the market, and how the tech giant’s control could impact competitivity and, therefore, consumer choice.
Cvent Taps Former Military Vendor for Mtg. Health Pass Tech
December 23, 2021 via Business Travel News
Meetings technology provider Cvent has partnered with multifactor identity authenticator ID.me to create and offer Cvent Health Check as a privacy-oriented health pass for meetings and events.