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Agoda Adds Installment Payments
(Agoda launches regional instalment cost possibility with Atome, December 20, 2020 through Markets Businessinsider.com)
To not be outdone by its rivals (see our prior story here), final week, Agoda introduced that it’s partnering with “fintech” supplier Atome to supply installment cost choices for vacationers reserving lodging in choose Asia-Pacific international locations on the web platform. The brand new cost choices will first be made out there for bookings of lodging in Singapore and Malaysia, however are anticipated to develop to lodging in eight extra APAC markets in 2021. Will probably be fascinating to see what impact these no or low curiosity installment cost choices could have on the return of leisure journey in 2021.
Expedia Retrenches While Its Competitors Expand
(Expedia scales again technique on actions, December 21, 2020 through Phocus Wire)
Final week, Expedia introduced plans to shutter its brick and mortar actions and sights desks (Expedia Native Professional) in Hawaii and Orlando. The announcement follows a string of comparable bulletins by Expedia involving the closure or divestiture of different non-core enterprise (e.g., Expedia Group Multifamily Options and SilverRail). The announcement supplies additional proof of Expedia’s execution towards beforehand introduced plans to re-focus on its vital core companies. Whereas Expedia and different platforms (together with Airbnb) have used the pandemic as a possibility to re-focus and re-trench, others similar to Reserving Holdings are utilizing the pandemic as a possibility to press ahead on plans to develop and diversify their companies (and in some cases, into the identical areas now being deserted by Expedia). Which technique is true? Who’s to say, however it ought to make for an fascinating 2021 as these firms start preparations for the anticipated return of leisure, enterprise and in the end, group journey in 2021.
Different information:
Russia Accuses Booking.com Of Violating Competition Law
December 21, 2020 through Cellular Reuters
Russia’s federal antimonopoly service (FAS) has accused resort reservation web site Reserving.com of violating anti-monopoly regulation, the regulator stated final Monday. The assertion from the FAS comes practically a yr after it opened an investigation into the corporate’s transfer to ask resorts and hostels to supply the identical costs on their very own and rival reservation web sites as on Reserving.com.
More Transparency: Following EU action, Booking.com and Expedia Align Practices with EU Consumer Law
December 18, 2020 through European Fee – Press Releases
On December 17, The European Fee introduced that Reserving.com and the Expedia Group have improved the presentation of their lodging presents, aligning it with EU shopper regulation. The adjustments adopted an in depth dialogue with the European Fee and EU shopper authorities and concern info on promotional presents and reductions in addition to influencing methods.
Digital Payments Could Go Backwards with Hidden Charges Pushing Travelers to Use Cash
December 21, 2020 through Phocus Wire
Digital funds have accelerated in the course of the pandemic with vacationers switching to contactless playing cards and cell choices.
Online Travel Pioneer Heads Out of Retirement to Join Fast Growing Travel Site
December 22, 2020 through Poteau Day by day Information
Rick Schneider, who just lately retired from Priceline as Vice President of International Enterprise Improvement for Priceline Associate Community (PPN), has determined to leap again into the journey house as Chief Technique Officer of Charity Professional Journey.
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