Cruise's technical transformation / Flyiin's €2.4M round / Barriers to online adoption in Asia

Today's news on travel technology, distribution and the digital economy Email not displaying correctly: [View it in your browser]( We are updating our PhocusWire eNewsletter sending technology including a change to the domain. To ensure you continue to receive your copy without interruption, please whitelist: @news.phocuswire.com Please [click here]( for additional instructions on how to whitelist our new domain. Top Stories from the past 24 hours January 22, 2019 Though the cruise industry has been chided for its slow adoption of technology compared to other sectors of travel, it’s made strides in recent years - particularly around tech enhancements that improve the onboard experience. In the [penultimate piece]( in our series on cruise, senior reporter Mitra Sorrells looks at how technology has helped cruise lines personalize offerings and simplify operations, plus examines the obstacles ships face trying to connect over vast oceans. A new [study]( from Booking Holdings finds English is among the barriers to online adoption in Asia, and today we also have news on Flyiin’s [first funding round]( for its airline booking platform and a new [development]( between OpenTable and Kayak. - Jill Menze, news editor Today's Top Story News I Technology [Inside cruise, part 3: The technical transformation]( More Headlines [Flyiin secures first funding round of €2.4M for airline booking platform]( News | Technology Former Air Canada boss Montie Brewer is one of a number of airline industry execs who has backed the Germany-based startup in its debut round. [READ MORE]( [OpenTable now lets customers use points for hotels on Kayak]( News | Online Booking Holdings has activated a new loyalty benefit for OpenTable, allowing diners to redeem their OpenTable Dining Points for hotel savings on Kayak. [READ MORE]( [Minding your language - Booking Holdings' study shows English a possible barrier to online adoption]( News | Online The study of 1,000 digital leaders and experts in China, India and Indonesia reveals that 79% view the internet as a necessity and 82% see it as a “fundamental right.” [READ MORE]( [Research Spotlight: How basic economy, ancillaries and NDC are shaping the airline industry]( News | Distribution The introduction of basic economy fares has allowed full-service airlines in the United States to experiment with their offerings through different bundles and combinations to see what sticks. [READ MORE]( [What's next for intent data in the travel industry?]( Opinion | Technology As the booking process has been simplified and personalized, the travel industry hasn't been nearly as fast to harness technology for people-based marketing. [READ MORE]( [MORE STORIES]( From Our Partners... [What do customers want from travel brands on mobile in 2019?]( Travelers are searching more, booking more and buying more on mobile - yet most travel brands aren’t investing enough in their mobile strategy. Travelport reveals the latest end traveler and industry research, showing how mobile is impacting travel in 2019. [READ MORE]( Trending Stories [Ixigo creates subsidiary to develop consumer-facing tech for airlines]( News | Technology Indian travel booking platform Ixigo has created Travenues, a subsidiary to help airlines improve their booking and upselling technology. [READ MORE]( [Ryanair offers direct distribution for European hotels via Siteminder]( News | Distribution One element of Ryanair's "Amazon Of Travel" strategy remains - giving European hotels a direct distribution channel for its Ryanair Rooms brand. [READ MORE]( [VIDEO: PerfectStay - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018]( Interview | Startups Big brands can fully realize their potential for packaged travel sales with this B2B travel operator. [READ MORE]( [TripAdvisor talks "holistic" approach to vacation rentals, new integrations]( News | Online A new partnership with software company Guesty is helping TripAdvisor refine its Rentals business. [READ MORE]( [Privacy]( | [Subscribe]( | [Unsubscribe]( Northstar Travel Group LLC. 116 West 32nd Street New York, New York 10001