Monthly analysis & insight on policy issues affecting the travel technology industry

#DYK 1.8+ billion hotel room nights are booked through online travel agents each year

Consumers trust online travel agents and metasearch engines to give them greater accommodation options and up-to-date flight information so they can make the best booking decisions for their own personal safety and preferences.

• Expedia has compiled resources to help travelers prepare for and plan their trip.

• Skyscanner, Kayak, Priceline, and other Travel Tech members are continuously compiling flight route information and schedules.

#DYK Travel Tech members facilitate $130+ billion in gross travel bookings

#DYK Travel Tech companies board 2.5 billion passengers each year

Airports are implementing innovative and exhaustive hygiene and cleaning protocols to ensure travelers feel safe from the moment they step in the door to when they land at their destination.

• TSA has implemented updated security procedures to make the screening process safe and efficient for travelers.

• Pittsburgh’s airport is the first in the nation to use UV-cleaning robots to sanitize the floors.

• Delta and American Airlines are deeply sanitizing planes between flights and have updated their onboarding processes to require masks at all times.

#DYK 80% of U.S. corporate airline bookings are made through travel management companies

Once travelers reach their destinations, they can find and rent the right car for them and their families — and know that the car has been cleaned using the most rigorous sanitizing processes.

• Rental companies Avis and Hertz have implemented 20-plus-point cleaning checklists to ensure cars are safe for travelers.

• Enterprise is training its employees on enhanced cleaning practices for vehicles, shuttles, and offices.

#DYK ⅓ of travelers have stayed in a short-term rental

Travel Tech member companies such as Airbnb and Vrbo are implementing industry-leading sanitization protocols so that travelers can rest easy knowing their accommodations are clean and safe. Hosts and employees are committed to implementing these policies for travelers’ safety as well as their own. 

• Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Initiative includes updated sanitizing protocols to ensure short-term rental accommodations are ready and safe for travelers.

• Vrbo implemented recommendations from the WHO and CDC to build its cleaning and safety programs for its rentals and hosts.

• Contact-free check-in and enhanced disinfecting protocols are just two of the ways hotels are taking precautions to protect guests and employees.

#DYK travel sites influence over $546 billion in global tourism spending

By requiring face masks, offering hand washing stations, and implementing protective barriers between guests and staff, tour and attraction operators are committed to helping travelers enjoy their trips safely.

• Tour companies such as Intrepid Travel ensure consumer trust by working closely with local operators, businesses, and governments to maintain safety and transparency. 

• Online travel platforms like Tripadvisor are offering information on the best outdoor and socially distanced experiences for any trip — and Tripadvisor's Travel Safe tools will help travelers plan excursions with peace of mind.