Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Latest Booking Site IPO + Influencers Lack Influence + Millennials Spend Wisely

August 18, 2017

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Note From the Editor

All those travel companies banking on social media influencers to drive interest might think about banking elsewhere — at least in the Asia-Pacific region. That's one takeaway from a new report, which also considers the way travelers in the region book trips and use mobile apps while traveling.

One company that will be looking to maximize mobile use is Latin American booking site Despegar, which just announced a plan to go public. Travel tech editor Sean O'Neill explains what the company wants to focus on to fuel growth, including a greater emphasis on hotels and personalized mobile marketing.

Finally, we can't ignore the horror that struck residents and tourists in Barcelona. The attack in a popular part of the city will no doubt prompt renewed conversations about security, but we have no doubt travelers will continue to explore the world.

— Hannah Sampson, News Editor

Skift Has Partnered With Jing Daily

Despegar is on track to attract a $1 billion valuation. That's impressive. But its newish CEO needs to pivot the business away from a reliance on selling airline tickets, which are becoming less profitable for his firm by the day.

Social-Media Influencers Have Little Sway Over Asia-Pacific Travelers

There is a ton of variation in the behavior of travelers from different countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Travel companies should pay more attention to the specific needs of the travelers they're trying to reach.

Van Plows Into Crowd in Barcelona Tourism Area, 13 Dead

The area was crowded with Barcelona residents and tourists at the time of the incident. Thirteen are confirmed dead and the death toll is likely to mount.

Millennials Aren't as Bad as You Think — Skift Corporate Travel Innovation Report

Millennials are more frugal when traveling for business than their older coworkers. Who would have thought — and who knows how long that will last?

Airlines Pack More Seats Onto Each Plane and Manufacturers Try to Make Them Comfortable

Airlines and seat manufacturers do try to make seats comfortable enough. But let's be clear: Travelers want tight seating. By their actions, most passengers have shown they want cheap prices over anything else. Airlines can only offer bargain fares if they pack planes with seats.

Air Berlin's Collapse Gives Lufthansa a Chance to Expand Its Low-Cost Airline

Lufthansa seems to be the obvious suitor for at least some of Air Berlin's business. Picking up some of the slots from its former rival would give it a chance to really grow its low-cost Eurowings unit, which could lead to the introduction of more routes to North America.

Follow the money — at your own risk, of course. These two hedge funds are putting their money in airline and online travel agency stocks, often investing in competitors. Rising tides lift all boats, after all.

Hotel CEOs Say They're Cautiously Optimistic About Corporate Travel

But shouldn't hotel executives be a bit more concerned? At least that's what one analyst is wondering, and we are too.

Tour Operator CEOs Say Turkey Is Coming Back to Take the Strain Off Spain

Tour operators have longed for Turkey and, to a lesser extent, Egypt and Tunisia to return to their previous popularity. All of these destinations offer better value to consumers than Spain, which is at close-to-full capacity and more expensive. Their return is also good news for the people who rely on tourism for a living.

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