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This week we unveiled a months-in-the-making feature about the early years of online travel. In over two dozen interviews with founders, CEOs, and insiders we tell the untold story of the innovation, competition, and machinations that brought about a revolution in online booking.
Read how Expedia's first CEO told Microsoft founder Bill Gates he had a bad idea. Learn why the airlines never wanted to launch Orbitz. Discover why American Airlines' CEO wanted Priceline's founder to get hit by a truck. Understand why Barry Diller made all the right moves.
We'll continue rolling out stories next week, so get caught up this weekend.
Skift Take: Two decades after the birth of online travel, more than two dozen founders and key players exclusively tell Skift how it all happened. This is a story of a history that changed the future of travel forever. Dig in, this will take a while.
Skift Take: Two decades after the birth of online travel, more than two dozen founders and key players exclusively tell Skift how it all happened. This is a story of a history that changed the future of travel forever. Dig in, this will take a while.
Skift Take: Booking.com rode the agency model, which is attractive for its lack of complexity in forging online travel agency-hotel relationships and consumer-friendliness, into the growth engine of a $68 billion business. Its executives did so by ignoring the trendiness of the crowds and sticking to their own beliefs and vision.
Skift Take: We're not giving away all the good stuff. You still need to read the entire thing.
Latest News
Priceline Group has maintained a commanding position in the industry over the last few years, but recent months have seen leadership changes that most companies would rather avoid. Yesterday evening the Group announced the departure of Priceline.com's CEO and the ascendency of a company veteran to an interim role.
Skift Take: Brett Keller, Priceline.com's new interim CEO, knows his way around headquarters, having worked there for 17 years. He takes over at a critical time for the Priceline.com brand, although Booking.com is by far the Priceline Group's most important cog.
Guest Experience
It seems that every hotel brand wants to rethink its position in the market right now, and what they can do to reach their ideal guests. While not every plan will be successful, at least they're trying.
Insider Newsletters
If you work in meetings and conventions, corporate travel, or want to understand business travelers, you need to subscribe to these newsletters.
Digital Innovation
Delta wrapped up the week with an announcement that its in-flight entertainment will soon be free. That's good news for passengers wanting to tear through a few movies, but bad news for getting work done on your next flight.
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