Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Airbnb IPO Hurdles + Wellness Tackles Overtourism + Expedia's Voice Pitch

October 10, 2018

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Editor's Note

The promise of voice technology springs eternal in the corporate world. Prognosticators see an early resistance by consumers turning into widespread adoption, as more of us find talking to a box less creepy. But for the travel industry, the voice story is way more complicated.

It's not as easy as barking out an order and seeing your product arrive a few days later. Travel is all about choices, and that makes it a much more complex proposition. Still, travel companies like Expedia are pushing ahead, despite technology hurdles and potential blowback on privacy issues. On Tuesday, Expedia announced a new voice-based search service for Google Assistant through a new Expedia Action. Like the uneven journeys of new technologies such as mobile in travel before, voice promises to be full of fits and starts. Expedia isn't wavering, though, promising more voice search for new countries and for languages "soon."

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

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What is hurting Airbnb's ability to see true success? Increasing regulation, the company's potential impact on local housing markets and the traditional hotel sector, and the company's increasing role in hospitality distribution. In this report, we attack all three.

Can Wellness Provide an Antidote to Overtourism?

We at Skift often discuss the dangers of overtourism. But during a recent forum on global wellness, we discovered a possible cure.

Expedia Brings Voice Bookings, Cancellations and Rewards to Google Assistant

Voice-based search will not only have technology issues to overcome, but in an era when news of data breaches is commonplace, companies such as Expedia will have to address the personalization and privacy issues as well.

What European Luxury Hotels Can Learn From Their Midscale Cousins

Maybe it's because Europe has a higher percentage of independent hotels. Maybe it's because Europe is made up of so many distinct cultures. Regardless, it seems that for some reason, in Europe, hospitality industry innovation tilts toward individuality. Analysts tell us why that is the case.

Skift Table: Danny Meyer's Investment Fund Leads $20 Million Round in Goldbelly

Good news for anyone who lives far away from their favorite regional restaurant dish — food marketplace Goldbelly has more cash on hand to connect you to your fix.

Australian Airlines Accused of Ignoring Crew Sexual Harassment

It's been one of the dirty secrets of the airline business for decades, but the #MeToo movement is now exposing sexual harassment among cabin crew in Australia. Accusations from a leading union have forced the airlines to issue strong denials about systemic problems.

Hyatt's M&A strategy might be best summarized as this: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Airline Passengers Welcome More Digital Solutions to Common Travel Problems

Flyers want technology to improve their experience going through security checkpoints and when dealing with the nightmare of a travel disruption. Airlines need to do more to smooth over the pain points, and mobile technology can help them do it.

TripAdvisor Is Debuting Tours and Activities TV Ads in the Sector's Breakout Year

Both TripAdvisor and Booking.com are newly emphasizing tours and activities in their TV advertising. You can expect a lot more of this from myriad players in the years to come. There will be variations, though. While these two companies push mainstream, touristy attractions, Airbnb will likely highlight curated experiences, although that could change, as well.

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