September 21, 2017 View in browser

Note From the Editor

Even though we are talking to Expedia’s new CEO in less than a week, we still wanted to see what he was thinking right now about Google’s travel ambitions and other concerns. He has a few ideas.

Developments at Ryanair over the last week brought an interesting perspective to an interview with the low-cost giant’s executive team that we did earlier this month. Short story? They are trying to be nice. But nice (as rival British Airways may tall them) is not so easy.

Yesterday we talked to Resy and Airbnb about their expanded partnership into restauarant reservations on the short-term rental pioneer’s website and apps. Appropriately, we have that story on our own partner’s website for you to read.

— Jason Clampet, Editor-in-Chief

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Interview: Expedia’s New CEO Looks to Chatbots for an Edge on Google Travel
The online travel environment is transitioning at a hectic pace when you consider mobile and artificial intelligence. Expedia's new CEO, Mark Okerstrom, will have to find a way to chart his company's evolution at an appropriate speed to keep up. It won't always be smooth sailing.
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Just before this pilot issue broke, Skift went to Europe to speak with Ryanair's chief marketing officer about how he improved the airline's customer service. Recent events will almost certainly set Ryanair back, but we think it can recover — if only because people like cheap fares.
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Nice to have, but we wonder if Airbnb can do more with Resy than just restaurant bookings. Hint: We certainly think it can.
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From Novelty to Game Changer: AI and The Future of Work in the Travel Industry [SPONSORED]
Sponsored by IBM
Smart technology is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. At home, we playfully bark orders and pose hypothetical questions to Alexa and Siri and see them getting smarter over time. The reality is that interconnected, cognitive technology is on the brink from moving from novelty to essential on the home front. For business, it’s a game changer.
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Priceline May Be Spending Less on Trivago and Changing Hotel Metasearch Dynamics
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Visit Florida Is Planning Ways to Get Tourists Back After Hurricane Irma
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Launching: Skift Travel App for iOS and Android
The new Skift Travel app is subscribers-first app, with lots of benefits for the paid Skift Research users. But free users do get access to the last 24 hour of stories.
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