Airbnb + hotels: one year in / Lufthansa invests in Hopper / Does price equal personalization?

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 23, 2019 When Airbnb officially opened up its platform to hotel distribution last year, it caused quite a fuss: How wide of a net was it casting? How was the competition changing from Airbnb vs. hoteliers to Airbnb vs. major online travel players? Today we [look at how]( the Airbnb and SiteMinder integration (plus other software partnerships) has played out over the past year and hear from the brand on how it’s grown its inventory and community. To develop artificial intelligence around predicting flight demand, Lufthansa Group is [funneling millions]( into Hopper, which in turn will gain resources to help the app expand. Also today: SBC Travel, an online travel agency that accepts cryptocurrency, joins our [Startup Stage]( and we have a piece that [argues]( price is only one part of the personalization equation in travel. - Jill Menze, news editor Today's Top Story News I Online [Airbnb and hotel distribution - (almost) one year in]( More Headlines [Lufthansa invests in Hopper, plots collaboration for artificial intelligence-led tools]( News | Technology A "multimillion-dollar" deal will include a research collaboration and help spearhead the Canada-based price prediction platform's expansion into Europe. [READ MORE]( [When it comes to guest personalization, price is only one piece of the puzzle]( News | Startups A new hotel brand, Life House, is currently testing an algorithmic pricing system based on customer profiles, history, spending habits and even social media followers. [READ MORE]( [STARTUP STAGE: SBC Travel launches crypto-friendly hotel booking platform]( Interview | Startups SBC Travel is a new online travel agency that accepts cryptocurrency. It is launching with an inventory of 175,000 hotels and accommodation providers in more than 185 countries, primarily powered by Hotelbeds. [READ MORE]( [Fragmentation continues to shape the competitive landscape for hoteliers]( News | Distribution This analysis examines how the hospitality industry, from accommodation options to distribution technology, is heating up as external and internal forces ignite change in the sector. [READ MORE]( [REPORT: Dynamic travel packaging - The next game-changer]( From Our Partners | Distribution Dynamic packaging has been growing and evolving for the past ten years and this trend will continue to 2020 and beyond. This in-depth report finds out why. [READ MORE]( [Inside cruise, part 3: The technical transformation]( News | Technology For the second in our series on cruise, we explore how cruise lines are using technology to improve the customer experience. [READ MORE]( [MORE STORIES]( WEBINAR TOMORROW! [How well are independent hoteliers adapting to the digital age?]( In 2018, independent hotels performed better in the online environment - but challenges remain. In this webinar with Trivago and Phocuswright, you'll learn: - To what extent independent properties have shifted their marketing and distribution online - Through which channels they receive the most sales - The core challenges hoteliers are up against and why they’re proving difficult to overcome [LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!]( Trending Stories [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]( [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]( [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]( [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]( [Privacy]( | [Subscribe]( | [Unsubscribe]( Northstar Travel Group LLC. 116 West 32nd Street New York, New York 10001