From Then to Now, Part I: The Traveler
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 30, 2016 10:30:00 AM
Today on the blog we begin a three-part series examining the evolution of the travel industry during the last 14 plus years. Since 2002, a number of seismic shifts have taken place within the travel industry that have had a massive impact on how companies operate and travelers experie …
Mobile Bookings by the Numbers
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 25, 2016 9:11:41 AM
It’s no secret mobile bookings are a major force in today’s travel industry. Travelers - particularly millennials and digital natives - are more tech savvy and connected than ever before, and they’re using mobile capabilities to research, book, and review travel experiences at unprece …
How Travel Agents Should Be Using Social Media
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 23, 2016 9:34:35 AM
In a recent entry, we discussed why younger travelers - millennials in particular - are coming back to travel agents in recent years to help coordinate their travel plans and bookings. Reasons for this return include the first-hand perspective or ‘on-the-ground’ knowledge travel agent …
How Travel Companies Can Appeal to Digital Natives
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 19, 2016 9:32:01 AM
Digital natives. It’s an odd sounding phrase but one that is rapidly gaining momentum in discussions across today’s travel and tourism industry. As the travel business diversifies and more specific segments of the general market appear, digital natives is perhaps the newest demographi …
5 Myths About the Role of Online Travel Agencies
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 16, 2016 7:46:55 PM
Ever since they rose to prominence, there has always been misinformation about the role and value of online travel agencies (OTAs). OTAs were initially viewed a short-cut to increased profit margins and growth without really adding value to the travel and tourism industry. However, wi …
Business Over Pleasure: Top Needs for Today’s Corporate Traveler
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 11, 2016 9:23:45 AM
If there’s one emerging trend in today’s travel industry, it’s that business is exceeding pleasure. A recent report issued by the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office found business travel from top overseas markets increased by more than 15 percent in 2015, a growth rate much highe …
Getting Your Products Out There: Technology, OTAs, and Distribution
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 9, 2016 9:32:39 AM
Talk to OTAs across the globe about their highest priority concern and you’ll hear the same thing again and again: Distribution. In an increasingly competitive, global industry, the ability of an OTA to sell and distribute services quickly without error is critical to driving growth a …
Why OTAs Should Embrace Travel Apps
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 4, 2016 10:18:08 AM
You hear it all the time: “I really love the features of this travel app, but I wish I could actually talk to a travel agent…” Even in today’s travel industry where interconnectivity and deploying the latest technology platform is the name of the game, travelers still crave the person …
3 Ways Travel Management Companies can improve their business
By Nick Ostdick on Aug 2, 2016 9:37:04 AM
It’s clear 2016 has become something of a pivotal year for travel management companies and the corporate travel world in general - and, if the first half of the year is any indication, the second half is poised to be just as impactful. At least that’s the feeling expressed by a host o …