Plaintiffs in several class-action lawsuits filed over the past 18 months accused hotel chains and third-party intermediaries, including STR and Amadeus, of conspiring to raise room rates. Some of them alleged anticompetitive effects from the use of sophisticated pricing algorithms. They also argued that the U.S. luxury hotel market is heavily concentrated among a few…
In April, 85 percent of more than 600 buyer and supplier respondents told GBTA they “like” or “love” working in the business travel industry. “Once you’re in it, no matter how hard you try, you don’t leave,” said GBTA VP of education and engagement Jill Koronkiewicz. “You keep coming back. It’s inclusive and welcoming; there…
As American Airlines all but dismantles corporate sales, airline industry pundits scrutinized AA’s latest arguments about going small and emphasizing competitiveness via network and loyalty. The strategy illustrates diversification among big airlines that adds to these challenging times for corporate travel buyers. Chief commercial officer Vasu Raja on March 4 told Wall Street analysts that…
Alexandria, Va. – Amid a federal government solicitation process putting the management of upwards of $4 billion in annual travel spending up for grabs, the National Defense Transportation Association’s GovTravels conference attracted a record 1,100 attendees here last month. The U.S. General Services Administration has begun collecting information from interested travel and expense tech vendors…
Several big lodging chains and a data intermediary face allegations of unreasonable restraint of trade regarding hotel rates, in violation of antitrust regulations. A set of seven plaintiffs, seeking class-action status for untold numbers of others, accused CoStar, which owns Smith Travel Research, along with Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels, Loews Hotels and Marriott, of…
Reaction: Responding to Scott Gillespie’s Op Ed on how today’s corporate travel market demands “long-sighted travel policies” prioritizing value and sustainability over traditional cost-cutting, readers generally agreed with the need for change. Microsoft’s Eric Bailey echoed the goal of reducing emissions and minimizing low-value trips but suggested different methods. He recommended carbon taxes and budget…
[UPDATE, Jan. 11, 2024: Hertz Global Holdings will sell about 20,000 electric vehicles from its U.S. fleet, representing about one-third of its worldwide EV inventory. The disposition will affect multiple makes and models. Hertz will reinvest a portion of the funds from the sales into buying internal combustion engine vehicles “to meet customer demand.” The…
End of content
End of content
