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Automatic

2825 posts

Amex GBT criticizes DOJ timing in CWT acquisition lawsuit

📌 On Jan 14, 2025, the DOJ filed a lawsuit in New York aiming to block Amex GBT's $570 million acquisition of CWT, citing concerns over potential price hikes, limited choices for clients, and stifled innovation. The deal would merge the two largest travel management companies. The DOJ's action challenged Amex GBT's fifth competitor acquisition since 2018. Large corporations depend on these "mega" companies for extensive global travel services. Amex GBT criticized the DOJ's timing, suggesting the Biden administration might not intervene after the Trump administration's term.
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Hotel experts on speed and data

📈 On Jan 14, 2025, advancements in hotel revenue management were highlighted, revealing how AI enables hotels to adjust pricing strategies in real-time by recognizing local events like conventions or concerts. Sonesta International’s Chief Commercial Officer, Garine Ferejian-Mayo, acknowledged the untapped potential of AI. Sebastien Leitner from Cloudbeds discussed their AI-powered solution that integrates revenue management, digital marketing, and guest experience, underscoring a test-and-learn approach driven by data from social media and the travel ecosystem.
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Bots now account for 44.5% of Internet traffic in the travel industry

🚀 On Jan 14, 2025, the 2024 Bad Bot Report indicated a surge in malicious bot activity in the travel and airline industry, with only 51.1% of internet traffic being human. Compared to 37% last year, 66.1% of these bots are now using advanced evasion techniques. These bots cause issues like fare scraping, seat spinning, and brute-force attacks on loyalty accounts, affecting revenue, metrics, customer satisfaction, and costs.
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Booking.com scammers steal £370k from 500+ holidaymakers

🚬 Over 532 Britons swindled out of £370,000 by fraudsters via hacked hotel accounts on Booking.com as of Jan 13, 2025. Scammers using sophisticated phishing attacks impersonate brands, sending fake emails requesting payment details. Police highlight no Booking.com breach but advise vigilance against unexpected emails or messages regarding reservations. Booking.com stresses they never request payment information through unsecured channels. Deputy Head of Action Fraud, Adam Mercer, urges holidaymakers to be wary of compromised hotel accounts.
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China’s extended Spring Festival Holiday drives travel surge

📆 Record 9 billion trips expected during China's Lunar New Year due to an 8-day holiday from January 28 to February 4, 2025. Ctrip poll indicates 65% of participants, a 24% increase from the previous year, plan to travel during the festival. The Spring Festival travel period spans from January 14 to February 22. Domestic travel dominates, but there's a rise in outbound tourism. Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Hungary, Austria, and Saudi Arabia are among the popular destinations.
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TikTok Ban: What it means for the travel industry

📱 TikTok, used by over 170 million Americans, faced potential U.S. ban scrutiny on January 13, 2025, which could affect the travel industry's reliance on the app for marketing. Brands like Booking.com, Expedia, Disney Parks, and Ryanair with 1+ million followers would need to adjust strategies. A ban, effective January 19, would prevent new downloads and updates, disrupting marketing and bookings driven by TikTok's algorithm.
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TikTok launches new travel-focused ad product for brands

🌍 On January 13, 2025, TikTok unveiled its new e-commerce product for travel brands at the Skift Megatrends event in London. The product, named Travel Ads or Catalogue Ads for Travel, targets TikTok users with travel booking intentions. Initially in a testing phase with select brands, TikTok's Head of Travel, Hannah Bennett, announced plans for future wider availability, aiming to bridge brands with potential travelers on the platform.
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Americans are booking longer vacations

🚠 Americans are increasingly choosing longer vacations for slow travel and wellness retreats, influenced by flexible work schedules and digital conveniences. With apps and online platforms simplifying extended trip planning, and remote/hybrid work enabling longer stays, the trend is gaining momentum. Ideal vacation length for health benefits is identified as eight days, according to the Journal of Happiness Studies. This travel shift provides deeper immersion in destinations and a balanced work-leisure experience.
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How Google should fix its travel ads

📦 GetYourGuide, on Jan 8, 2025, proposed new ad modules to the European Commission, accusing Google Travel Ads of violating the Digital Markets Act by merging providers in a single ad, limiting competition. The suggested format showcases one advertiser with multiple tours, countering Google's multi-vendor, single-product displays. The Commission's ruling on Google's compliance is forthcoming.
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