Dennis Schaal

Some travel companies took compare tools like Booking Buddy's and pre-checked several windows, driving up their own click revenue and exasperating consumers who unknowingly found their computer screens flush with pop-under windows when they started to search. CPC rates charged to advertisers became subject to a downward spiral, and although the model is still widely used, metasearch stole some of its thunder.

TripAdvisor is entering a very crowded field this year as online travel companies have saturated the airwaves. Still, with $40 million to $50 million devoted to its campaigns, TripAdvisor is going to get the word out. And kudos for brilliant use of its iconic green review icons.

These billionaires were ahead of the curve on earth, and they are leading the charge in their other-worldly pursuits. As any travel startup would tell you, someone's going to crack [fill in the blank] space, and one of these companies may be the one.

In an era when we see so many copycat startups endlessly doing basically the same thing, Liftopia has blazed a (ski) trail, and brought a unique idea to an industry that sorely needed it.

It will be interesting to see whether HotelTonight's user base will really go for 12,000-square-foot, two-story penthouses that are bookable starting "tonight." While some people can afford to shell out $700 for a suite at the last minute, that will probably not be most people's preferred option. Are suite options here to stay in the app? Stay iTuned.

The limited-service concept is designed to reduce overhead at hotels such as New York Hilton Midtown, but it will only work if Herb and other guests don't tire of dealing with the midnight munchies, and decide to reserve rooms elsewhere on their next visit.

CheapOair has already proven that it can make a viable business out of flights when its competitors are scurrying to build their hotel businesses. There will be pressures, and it won't be the fastest-growing business in the world, but there is plenty of room for companies like CheapOair that keep their heads down and focus on areas that others are neglecting.

Many reputation management firms have made a living out of criticizing Yelp and TripAdvisor, and some of them have crossed the line and gotten into the fake-review writing business themselves. There are reputation management firms with integrity out there, but these 19 companies are not among them.

With Google Wallet, and Apple Passbook before that, Alaska Airlines is adding all of the bells and whistles to meet customers' needs when they are using their smartphones at the airport -- and most any place else.

IATA's message is straightforward: Regulations are bad, airlines want less of it. His faith in airline goodwill, market forces and social media to replace regulation ignores a track record when such influences were inadequate.