Marketing

💳 Travelsoft Pay and Checkout.com partnership aims to enhance payment orchestration globally for Travelsoft's ecosystem. By integrating Checkout.com's acquiring capabilities with TSPay's travel-centric approach, the collaboration seeks to optimize acceptance and conversion rates. Travelsoft processes over €50 billion in bookings annually across 90+ countries, supported by 700+ specialists. Checkout.com covers 145+ currencies and managed $300 billion in ecommerce payments in 2025, benefiting OTAs, tour operators, and more with smart routing and alternative payment methods.

🛍 A 100-room hotel with a $150 Average Daily Rate (ADR) and 55% Online Travel Agency (OTA) share incurs about $450,000 annually in OTA commissions. This highlights the urgency in balancing direct bookings and OTA use. The advice to increase direct bookings overlooks the underlying costs involved in such efforts.

🌍 In February 2026, Expedia Group's Harris Poll surveyed 2,500 travelers across 10 countries, discovering 77% of them are keen on booking trip components on a single platform. Gen Z shows even higher interest, at 83%. Expedia's Rapid API supports this trend, offering access to 400 airlines, 110 rental brands, and global activities. About 81% prefer bundles for savings, and 95% are influenced by discounts, with 67% likely to add travel protection.

📰 Jun 9, 2026: Social media redefines hotel discovery as travelers favor content shared by friends, family, and online communities over traditional search channels. Despite thousands of likes, true value lies in shareable content that influences bookings. Authentic experiences and creator content are shared more than polished promotions. Hotels should craft memorable content designed for recommendations, increasing direct booking opportunities and reducing reliance on OTAs. Social media recommendations become strategic assets, giving hotels a competitive edge.