Peter Kern travel tips

The last days of summer may still feel like they’re lingering, but the time to start thinking about holiday flights is now. 

Expedia will continue to invest in gaining long-term value customers despite the risk of losing bookings to its competitors, as it focuses on brand awareness, paid app downloads and its loyalty program.

The vice chairman and CEO of Expedia Group, Peter Kern, covered a lot of ground during his session at Skift Global Forum in New York City in September. Kern gave his perspective on mergers and acquisitions, technology, and micro-services.

Delta Introduces First Used Boeing 737 as Pilot Shortage Hinders Regional Recovery: Delta is rushing to get used Boeing 737s in the air as the pilot shortage keeps some regional jets grounded. But some customers may be disappointed with the onboard experience.

It’s another earnings season so online travel companies such as Airbnb, Expedia and Tripadvisor occasionally present facts in a misleading — or at least in an exceedingly positive-sounding — way.

Expedia Group and Mastercard are teaming to power a loyalty points redemption program that enables banks and credit unions that issue Mastercards to enable their cardholders to redeem credit card loyalty points after booking Expedia-provided trips.

Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern, who’s been working on revamping the company since April 2020, said “it would’ve been impossible for the old us, three years ago,” to have been nimble enough to be among the first movers in generative AI among online travel companies.

Expedia Group told Google that the bait and switch tactics that some online travel agencies deploy in Google’s price comparison feature, Google Hotels, is “screwed up” and Google made some satisfactory changes.

The Skift team spent the week exploring Iceland, but its editors and reporters still found the time to cover the industry whether they were walking paths strewn with lava rock or resting in geothermal baths. Pay special attention, below, to Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill’s explanation of the current craze happening with extended-stay hotels, as well as Executive Editor Dennis Schaal’s interview with Expedia CEO Peter Kern.

Expedia Group has been at the forefront of the travel industry in releasing two generative AI tools for trip planning. Chairman Barry Diller claimed the company had a head start because of its ties with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Our tenth and largest Skift Global Forum is just around the corner, and it promises to feature a lineup of can’t-miss visionary travel industry speakers who are shaping the way we experience and navigate the world.