Latest Research

Venture Capital

Skift Research E-Book: The New Wave of Venture Capital and Startups in Travel

The travel industry, no stranger to disruption, is experiencing a new wave of venture-backed startups. These businesses are generally larger than ever before and focused on bringing new customers and products into the digital travel fold. We expect this momentum to continue and for it have an impact on executives, founders, and investors throughout the sector.

November 2018

Distribution

The State of Airline Distribution 2018

The airline distribution ecosystem often gets unfairly labeled as being populated by dinosaurs. Our sense is that industry players are making genuine attempts to modernize, it’s just that it takes a long time to turn around such a titanic ship. We break down this complex and, at times, intimidating topic by reviewing the current landscape and inspecting four key fault lines in the space.

October 2018

Marketing and Media

Digital Advertising Trends in Travel 2018

Along with marketers’ heavy investment in digital, the quality of digital advertising continues to improve with more advanced targeting and measurement capabilities. Optimized marketing success requires the right media mix and the right types of technology.

October 2018

Technology

A Deep Dive Into Airbnb 2018: Tackling Roadblocks on the Runway

Airbnb continues to revolutionize the accommodation bookings industry while disrupting other sectors like tours and activities, restaurant reservations, and more. As the company heads towards a potential IPO, we tackle some of the key hurdles in its way including increasing regulation, impacts to housing markets, and its evolving role in both hospitality and distribution.

October 2018

Online Travel

The State of Online Travel Agencies 2018 Part III: India and Latin America

Emerging markets will shape the future of the travel industry but each region requires a unique strategy. MakeMyTrip and Despegar, online travel leaders in India and Latin America, provide unique insights into how to succeed their respective home markets.

September 2018

Online Travel

The State of India Outbound Travel 2018

The India outbound travel market is poised to boom in a matter of years. The global travel industry needs to make itself aware of this market and why it matters now, so they’re not scrambling to catch up later.

August 2018

Hospitality

A Deep Dive Into Marriott 2018: Assessing the Power of an Integrated Company

Two years have passed since Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood, but the integration efforts continue on. The success of the Sheraton brand turnaround and the merging of the loyalty programs is critically important and could mean millions of incremental fee revenue for the combined company.

August 2018

Online Travel

The State of Online Travel Agencies 2018 Part II: Supply

Many online travel agencies are no longer specialists in one product, instead aiming to become one-stop shops. The platform that a booking site can offer is a key part of its competitive moat and the contours of supply at Booking Holding and Expedia vary widely from each other.

August 2018

The State of Online Travel Media 2018

The majority of first travel searches worldwide have no mention of a brand or destination, putting publishers of digital destination information in a uniquely influential position. Today, travelers have an overwhelming number of options, and publishers are challenged to differentiate themselves.

July 2018

U.S. Traveler In-Destination Mobile Usage Survey 2018

Mobile has become a key component of the in-destination experience for U.S. travelers today. From finding things to do, to spontaneous bookings, mobile apps and websites have a role to play at each part of the in-destination journey. Travel brands that can find a meaningful place in this mobile journey have a lot to gain.

July 2018

Hospitality

The State of the Hotel Tech Stack 2018

In today’s environment, hoteliers can no longer sit idly by, complacent with the tech systems and hardware that they have been using for decades. Those that focus on tech in terms of the overall customer journey will not only delight guests, but also outpace competitors in sales and ROI.

June 2018

Distribution

The State of Online Travel Agencies 2018 Part I: Advertising

Online travel agencies remain essential to the travel industry as consolidators of and clearinghouses for advertising dollars throughout the space. We do not see OTAs being removed from this position easily, but challenges are growing by the day.

June 2018