Articles tagged “mergers and acquisitions”

Independent hoteliers are indeed exploring alternatives to the big online travel agencies, including finding ways to spur more direct bookings, but sometimes it seems like a steep, uphill battle.

Unlike the Priceline Group and Expedia Inc., TripAdvisor tried to go-it alone in China without a long-term home-grown partner. Expedia failed even though it had a Chinese partner in eLong so there are no guarantees in doing business in this potentially very lucrative but stubbornly difficult market.

Will Kimpton be able to retain its boutique brand DNA within InterContinental Hotels Group? CEO Mike DeFrino is trying to reassure the masses that it will but Kimpton and IHG are moving slower than a stuck elevator to provide some proof.

Baseball's N.Y. Yankees had its "core four" of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera. And Expedia has its own core four, namely Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Trivago, and Egencia as the foundation for global growth and the plan is to add regional acquisitions around the edges.

The online travel duopoly, The Priceline Group and Expedia Inc., remains in place. But as history and Expedia's turnaround show, the pecking order isn't necessarily going to stay this way over the long term.

It looks like the Priceline Group's Darren Huston doth protest too much and is feeling the pressure generated by Expedia Inc.'s acquisition strategy.

You can't always get what you want. American Airlines president thinks the airline handed Southwest a monopoly when American gave up its two gates at Dallas Love Field. And that merger concession, right in American's backyard, still rankles.

HomeAway just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Now there is a big question as to whether it will still be an independent company by the time the 11th anniversary rolls around. The company would be expensive to buy, but the betting here is that someone will acquire it, sooner rather than later.

How much will the InterContinental Hotels Group mess with the Kimpton brand? The fact that IHG officials say they aren't ready to address the future of the Kimpton Karma Rewards loyalty program raises a proverbial red flag.

Hotel Urbano is now offering short-term rentals while Expedia is showing HomeAway's vacation rentals and Booking.com has lots of apartment hotels. Convergence extraordinaire.