The current state of marketing automation in hospitality / Klook enters the West / Startup Stage: Strabe for business travel

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 30, 2019 The concept of marketing automation in hospitality is still relatively young. Although the advantages - including better guest segmentation, man-hour optimization and business scalability - are known, hotels are reluctant to fully embrace it, citing past traumatic experiences with software implementation and fear of losing the human touch in operations as obstacles to overcome. What hoteliers need to realize, a [piece today explains]( is that by buckling down and incorporating marketing automation, everything will eventually (and hopefully) get easier. Klook has [announced]( its first significant foray into the West through a new two-way partnership with RailEurope, and on our [Startup Stage today]( Strabe outlines its plans to streamline business travel. - Jill Menze, news editor Today's Top Story Opinion I Technology [Bitter roots, sweet fruit - the current state of marketing automation in hospitality]( More Headlines [Klook signals global ambitions with RailEurope activities deal]( News | Online The deal is significant for Klook as it looks to branch out into global markets, securing a partnership in arch rival GetYourGuide's own backyard. [READ MORE]( [STARTUP STAGE: Strabe wants to streamline business travel]( Interview | Startups Founded in 2017, Strabe is intended to help corporate agents streamline the booking and travel process for their clients. [READ MORE]( [Triptease shifts to full-service platform to drive direct bookings]( News | Distribution Famous for its price comparison widget, Triptease now includes tools to track user behavior to help hotels lure business away from online travel agencies. [READ MORE]( [What you can learn from three of the most inspirational travel campaigns of 2018]( News | Online We share some of the award‐winning digital ad campaigns that effectively tapped into strategic media collaborations to achieve business goals and unlock innovative potential. [READ MORE]( [Why Airbnb must avoid the tech trap OTAs fell into for years]( Opinion | Distribution Airbnb's much-lauded move into hotel distribution has been a welcome addition to the hotel ecosystem - but it should beware of age-old pitfalls. [READ MORE]( [MORE STORIES]( NEW FREE WEBINAR IN THREE WEEKS! [The future of customer experience and e-commerce]( - The key travel customer experience trends for 2019 - The e-commerce status quo – the reactive approach - New technical product model – the customer-centric approach. What is it? Where to start? And proving value to the business? SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, February 20. [REGISTER TODAY!]( Trending Stories [A new era of personalization - for both travelers and suppliers]( Opinion | Technology The travel industry is entering an age of both traveler and supplier personalization - leveraging high-tech to deliver high-touch experiences. [READ MORE]( [Switchfly in new hands as private equity firms take over loyalty tech provider]( News | Technology Golub Capital and L Capital take a controlling stake in the business, with a new CEO coming in as former boss steps down. [READ MORE]( [With new strategic investment, Recharge extends by-the-minute booking platform to vacant homes]( News | Distribution In addition to hotels, users of Recharge's pay-by-the-minute platform can now book homes, as well. [READ MORE]( [Inside cruise, part 4: The marketing mix]( News | Online Norwegian Cruise Line chief marketing officer Meg Lee shares her thoughts on social media, paid search, content curation and how emerging technologies can be used in cruise marketing. [READ MORE]( [Privacy]( | [Subscribe]( | [Unsubscribe]( Northstar Travel Group LLC. 116 West 32nd Street New York, New York 10001