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Digital. Season 2, Episode 5. Special Guest: Linda Fox
Digital #10
Australian court found Trivago guilty of misleading its users by not showing the cheapest hotel deals, but the ones on which advertisers bid the most. Federal Court Justice, Mark Moshinsky, stated that Trivago “did not provide an impartial, objective and transparent price comparison service, (and) the fact that Trivago was being paid by the online booking sites was not made clear.” The company was also found guilty of misleading users by comparing different room types, creating a false impression of savings.
Digital #9
As already speculated on an old Digital., Thomas Cook could be relaunched as an OTA as early as this summer (June, according to rumors) by Fosun, the current owner of the oldest travel firm’s brand. That being said, Thomas Cook’s customers are still waiting to get refunded for the canceled vacations…
Digital #8
During ITB2020, Protel will release the new version of AIR, “industry’s first and only PMS to include built-in voice capabilities for hotel employees.”
Digital #7, 6 & 5
Google I/O 2020 has, finally, a date and a location: May 12th — 14th, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. The event was promoted by a cool puzzle, that you can try to solve here. On different news, Google’ SERP redesign (check out the previous edition of Digital.) backlashed: many users (including yours truly) complained about the fact that the new design blurred the line between paid and natural results, making ads look more like organic search results. A Google spokesman minimized, by saying that the new SERP mirrors “the design that we’ve had for many months on mobile.” Still on Google: according to CEO, Sundar Pichai, artificial intelligence (if unregulated) could be used for “mass surveillance”, or to “violate human rights.” The Financial Times published an interview with Pichai, who highlighted how regulations should “take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms, especially in high-risk areas, with social opportunities.” Google, according to Pichai, “wants to be a helpful and engaged partner to regulators as they grapple with the inevitable tensions and trade-offs. We offer our expertise, experience, and tools as we navigate these issues together.”
Digital #4
According to a recent Sojern survey, 60% of independent hoteliers consider increasing direct bookings their number one challenge.
Digital #3
Travel tech companies, on the other hand, seem to be more focused on creating a really frictionless travel experience, helped by the use of AI. According to Lindy Andersen, Director of Global Accounts at Expedia Group, the group is “harnessing the power of innovative technology, using AI to alleviate stressors and drive better efficiencies of our entire platform.”
Digital #2
Trip.com expanded its “Cancellation Guarantee” initiative to hotels outside of China. If you’re a hotelier, you’ve probably received a message from the company formerly-known-as-Ctrip.
Digital #1
PhocusWire does not need an introduction. If you’re in the industry, you know that PW is your “comprehensive daily news companion for the industry”, powered by Phocuswright, the most respected travel research authority and events brand in the world. During today’s episode of Digital. (3:00 PM CET) I will be joined by PhocusWire Senior Europe Reporter (and personal friend of mine), Linda Fox. Linda has been writing about technology and distribution in the travel since 1998, for media such as Travolution and tnooz. I had the privilege of working with her on a few articles over the years, and she’s -by far- on my personal Top-5 of favorite travel reporters. Tune in at FunnelTV, or follow the Livestream on LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube.
View all episodes
Digital #10
Australian court found Trivago guilty of misleading its users by not showing the cheapest hotel deals, but the ones on which advertisers bid the most. Federal Court Justice, Mark Moshinsky, stated that Trivago “did not provide an impartial, objective and transparent price comparison service, (and) the fact that Trivago was being paid by the online booking sites was not made clear.” The company was also found guilty of misleading users by comparing different room types, creating a false impression of savings.
Digital #9
As already speculated on an old Digital., Thomas Cook could be relaunched as an OTA as early as this summer (June, according to rumors) by Fosun, the current owner of the oldest travel firm’s brand. That being said, Thomas Cook’s customers are still waiting to get refunded for the canceled vacations…
Digital #8
During ITB2020, Protel will release the new version of AIR, “industry’s first and only PMS to include built-in voice capabilities for hotel employees.”
Digital #7, 6 & 5
Google I/O 2020 has, finally, a date and a location: May 12th — 14th, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. The event was promoted by a cool puzzle, that you can try to solve here. On different news, Google’ SERP redesign (check out the previous edition of Digital.) backlashed: many users (including yours truly) complained about the fact that the new design blurred the line between paid and natural results, making ads look more like organic search results. A Google spokesman minimized, by saying that the new SERP mirrors “the design that we’ve had for many months on mobile.” Still on Google: according to CEO, Sundar Pichai, artificial intelligence (if unregulated) could be used for “mass surveillance”, or to “violate human rights.” The Financial Times published an interview with Pichai, who highlighted how regulations should “take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms, especially in high-risk areas, with social opportunities.” Google, according to Pichai, “wants to be a helpful and engaged partner to regulators as they grapple with the inevitable tensions and trade-offs. We offer our expertise, experience, and tools as we navigate these issues together.”
Digital #4
According to a recent Sojern survey, 60% of independent hoteliers consider increasing direct bookings their number one challenge.
Digital #3
Travel tech companies, on the other hand, seem to be more focused on creating a really frictionless travel experience, helped by the use of AI. According to Lindy Andersen, Director of Global Accounts at Expedia Group, the group is “harnessing the power of innovative technology, using AI to alleviate stressors and drive better efficiencies of our entire platform.”
Digital #2
Trip.com expanded its “Cancellation Guarantee” initiative to hotels outside of China. If you’re a hotelier, you’ve probably received a message from the company formerly-known-as-Ctrip.
Digital #1
PhocusWire does not need an introduction. If you’re in the industry, you know that PW is your “comprehensive daily news companion for the industry”, powered by Phocuswright, the most respected travel research authority and events brand in the world. During today’s episode of Digital. (3:00 PM CET) I will be joined by PhocusWire Senior Europe Reporter (and personal friend of mine), Linda Fox. Linda has been writing about technology and distribution in the travel since 1998, for media such as Travolution and tnooz. I had the privilege of working with her on a few articles over the years, and she’s -by far- on my personal Top-5 of favorite travel reporters. Tune in at FunnelTV, or follow the Livestream on LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube.