Category Archives: Distribution

Another Small Business Travel Service Hits The Market, With An Alternative Lodging Twist

By | June 19, 2018
Bill Kerby

Developed by the Monaker Group, NextTrip.biz is one of the newest of many business travel booking services targeting small and medium-size companies. Announced last month, it promises to cut costs, simplify management and reward employees. If that sounds familiar, the twist here is including alternative lodging accommodations. Having previously built instant booking for rental homes, apartments, resorts and other types… Read More »

App Provider DCS Touts Full TMC Tech Integration

By | June 15, 2018
Cristian Dinca, DCS

Many travel management companies offer itinerary apps to client travelers. With some exceptions, they pretty much provide the same or similar features. “They are more or less a commodity,” said Cristian Dinca, founder of Bucharest-based travel tech firm DCS Plus. He said a differentiator is when an app is an extension of a unified agency tech stack. That’s… Read More »

Andy Menkes Joins BCD Travel

By | June 8, 2018

Industry veteran Andy Menkes on June 11 will join BCD Travel. The Partnership Travel Consulting founder will become senior vice president of global client solutions, a new position at BCD Travel. According to a BCD announcement sent to The Company Dime, he will be responsible for growing the TMC’s global market share by working with BCD’s leadership teams and… Read More »

Kurt Knackstedt On Fintech And ‘Distributech’

By | June 7, 2018

Change is constant, yet change is hard. That’s the quandary many in the travel industry face, especially as it relates to distribution. Tried and true technologies continue to operate as designed decades ago, with speed and reliability. However, changing traveler demands and nearly universal access to information have some calling for new designs. Kurt Knackstedt is CEO of… Read More »

What’s Behind The Upsurge In Airline Commissions?

By | May 24, 2018
airline commissions

Total commissions paid to travel agencies by U.S. airlines in 2017 reversed a 20-year trend and jumped 15 percent year over year, according to U.S. government data. The data reflect a fight for market share as the Big Three enjoy strong demand and healthy balance sheets. On domestic U.S. tickets, commission dollar volume in 2017 rose for a third consecutive… Read More »

30SecondsToFly Adds Fare Search Tech, Investment From EGlobalfares

By | May 23, 2018
David Rifkin

Chatbot maker 30SecondsToFly accepted an unspecified investment from eGlobalfares, a dozen-year-old fare search tech provider that serves a few hundred travel agencies globally. The deal also extends 30Seconds’ strategy to market to travel management companies. The partnership enables eGlobalfares customers to offer public and proprietary fares through the Claire chatbot to business travelers. Claire is available by SMS,… Read More »

First Pilot For United-Traxo Direct Booking Integration Is Underway

By | May 15, 2018

ZS Associates is running a pilot that sanctions for certain employees booking on the United Airlines website. Supported by integration between Traxo and the carrier, the direct option delivers a better booking experience and improved customer service, according to ZS Associates travel leaders. One of them is Glenn Hollister, principal at the firm and head of its travel… Read More »