This week's update covers a variety of topics, including an update on Indonesia's efforts to regulate OTAs, Spotnana's new “event” travel booking tool, and a new record for marketing spending by the largest OTAs (no surprise). It is being
- Booking.com and Expedia could face entry ban in Indonesia. As of last week, several major OTAs (including Booking.com and Expedia) had not yet complied with Indonesia's registration requirements as PSEs (Private Scope Electronic Systems Operators). This requirement is part of regulations passed in November 2020 that require digital platforms to obtain a license to operate in Indonesia. Indonesia has recently stepped up its crackdown on this regulation, including temporarily blocking PayPal and other gaming websites in 2022. Earlier this month, the remaining unregistered travel booking platforms (Airbnb, Agoda, Expedia, Booking.com, Trivago, and Klook) received the following letter: Indonesia's Ministry of Communications and Information has asked platforms to complete registration by the end of this month. Later, Airbnb and Agoda were also registered.
- Spot Nana releases group travel reservation tool “Spot Nana Event”. Despite its name, Spotnana Events is not a meeting booking tool. Users of the platform will no longer be able to book meeting rooms and related food and beverages. Instead, new corporate tools will allow both profiled and specifically non-profiled users to book travel tied to specific events, event dates, event booking parameters, etc. Masu. The new technology will be available to both regular and corporate users. Spotnana travel management tool and standalone user. The tool will also be available to channel partners and as a white label solution.
- OTA's annual sales and marketing records are broken again.. In 2023, Expedia Group, Booking Holdings, Airbnb, and Trip.com spent a combined $16.8 billion on sales and marketing (representing a 20% increase compared to 2022 total) . Of the four, Trip.com recorded the largest increase in spending, with its 2022 amount increasing by his 117% (pre-pandemic amount was also about the same). Unsurprisingly, two of the biggest spenders were Expedia Group ($6.9 billion in sales and marketing (including B2B fees from its growing B2B platform)) and Booking Holdings ($6.8 billion in marketing). For Expedia, the amount spent on sales and marketing represents 54% of total revenue. For Booking Holdings, its expenses account for 32% of its total revenue.
Threats to Gemini, Google Travel, and OTAs
March 15, 2024 Via focus wire
Google Gemini and Google Travel together have the potential to completely change the way consumers search and plan travel.
Indonesia may block some foreign OTAs this week
March 14, 2024 Via Tech in Asia
As of March 14, Agoda and Airbnb are registered, but four others (Booking.com, Expedia, Klook, and Trivago) are not.
Spotnana launches 'events', but it's not a meeting booking tool
March 13, 2024 via Business Travel News
Spotnana today announced the rollout of what the company is calling “Spotnana Events,” but don't get me wrong. This prevents users from booking meetings or events. There are no venue search, breakout rooms, or food and beverage parameters. This is truly a travel management tool.
TikTok ban disrupts tourism marketing: What you need to know
March 13, 2024 Via Skift Travel News
The movement to ban TikTok in the US is gaining momentum again, and this move will have a huge impact on the travel industry. TikTok is one of the most popular marketing channels in the world.
Indonesia asks Booking, Expedia and others to register to avoid ban
March 13, 2024 Via Skift Travel News
According to regulations passed in November 2020, digital platforms must obtain a license to operate in Indonesia. Six online travel agencies have received a warning letter from Indonesia's Ministry of Communications and Information asking them to immediately register as “Private Scope Electronic System Operators (PSE)”.
Online travel giant sets new marketing spend record in 23 years
March 13, 2024 Via focus wire
Expedia Group, Booking Holdings, Airbnb, and Trip.com Group will spend a combined $16.8 billion on sales and marketing in 2023 to compete with each other and suppliers who encourage travelers to book directly. I did.
See why we think Google's competitors are violating European digital market law
March 7, 2024 Via Skift Travel News
As with privacy issues, the European Union is ahead of the United States when it comes to regulating digital platforms like Google. European online travel companies aren't happy with Google's changes, but hotels think they've gone too far.
