Articles tagged “lufthansa”

Travel agencies need to get younger, and more creative, if they're going to survive. For what it's worth, some agencies are doing what it takes protect themselves from the travel companies that want agents sliced out of the industry.

Travel agents showed some resiliency in 2015. They need to work on becoming a whole lot more visible, and useful, to consumers in 2016.

Thomas Cook is facing increased competition in the Caribbean and a partnership with Lufthansa could help the tour operator to control its costs.

Other airlines will feel more comfortable charging fees to encourage travelers to book directly if Lufthansa's plan works. Travel agents and other intermediaries will be in trouble if this becomes a trend.

Lufthansa Group is standing pat as booking sites move in opposition to its planned surcharge. But consumers will be the ones hurt by the surcharge if booking sites end up passing the extra cost down to fliers.

Lufthansa-type surcharges usually turn out to be a negotiating tactic in a bid to get a better deal from the all-powerful global distribution systems. Smart money says this battle will turn out in a similar way. Meanwhile, airlines around the world are watching this keenly to see who beats up on whom.

Lufthansa is being pragmatic. The airline knows its differences with the global distribution systems will get sorted out, one way or another, over the long term. In the meantime it still needs travel agencies such as CheapOair to sell its tickets and ancillary services.

Delta, American, United and Southwest are enjoying their moment now, with industry consolidation stabilizing the market, so they aren't likely to risk the disruption that Lufthansa's actions are likely to trigger.

The big question for the Lufthansa Group is whether other airlines will follow its lead. Either way, things are about to get nasty.

Brands undertaking ambitious roving dining experiences need to reward their audiences for their social engagement to make the trip worth it.