Articles tagged “SkiftX Showcase: Technology”

Airlines may be underestimating payments. As distribution grows more complex, payment infrastructure is becoming a bottleneck that shapes growth, partnerships, and the ability to deliver modern retail experiences.

Generative AI platforms now shape travel shortlists at the inspiration stage. With 94% of hotels invisible in AI search results, only a narrow set makes it into consideration. Brands not present in the media sources informing these tools risk being filtered out before booking even begins.

As travelers prioritize seamless, end-to-end journeys, Capital One is moving beyond booking to build a fully integrated travel ecosystem, reshaping how brands reach and engage customers along the way.

For years, Global Travel Collection's $2.4 billion in sales has been spread across legacy brands, masking its true scale. Its brand unification is a signal that scale is becoming the defining competitive advantage in luxury travel.

Bloom's insistence on profitability before scale runs counter to the growth-at-all-costs orthodoxy that defined the last decade of travel tech investment in India. As it enters a new phase of expansion, the company now faces the challenge of sustaining product and profit while scaling up.

Despite significant investment in marketing technology, most travel brands still cannot identify the majority of their audience. A new guide from Wunderkind argues that identity resolution is central to performance, helping brands drive more direct bookings and get more from existing channels.

Artificial intelligence in travel is moving beyond experimentation. Now, the real challenge is scaling it across the industry’s complex systems. The companies that integrate inspiration, booking, and service successfully will define the next phase of competition.

Payments and financial infrastructure may seem “behind the scenes,” but pretty much everyone can think of a time when a blocked transaction or confusing checkout stood in the way of a great travel experience. Elevating payments strategically at an organizational level can lead to better customer experiences, more efficient and cost-effective operations, and increased profitability.

Travel marketing is entering a new phase as AI and shifting discovery habits reshape how brands connect with travelers. Based on insights from 10 industry leaders, this report explores how marketing is becoming more dynamic, more connected, and more dependent on relevance, trust, and real-time value.

Payment systems increasingly surface at moments that affect both the guest experience and internal operations. This report examines how industry leaders describe the current state of payments, where they see constraints, and which capabilities they believe will matter most over the next several years.