The article argues that hotels lose direct bookings to OTAs because their websites fail to provide specific information to manage traveler expectations. By improving room, location, and offers pages, hotels can increase direct bookings and reduce OTA commissions.
Former SAP Concur President Jim Lucier summarizes the inaugural Travel Industry Summit, which drew more than 2,000 attendees. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian described measures including electrostatic wiping of every surface before each flight, keeping middle seats empty through at least the end of the year, requiring masks for customers and employees, and HEPA filters. Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson stressed the need to earn the confidence of workers and travelers. Travel managers discussed using the pandemic pause to improve programs, and Salesforce's Dorian Stonie said OBTs infused with more AI and travel management companies 'are going to be more important than ever.'