eu travel tech

Eight months after the launch of the DMA non-compliance investigation into Alphabet for failing to adhere to the ban on self-preferencing, one question looms larger than ever: Where are the European Commission's preliminary findings against #Google? With the confirmation of the new #EuropeanCommission, the opportunity to act decisively is here. Today, we addressed a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underscoring the critical importance of keeping this issue at the forefront of the incoming Commission’s agenda. The DMA was adopted with ambitious goals, setting a precedent for fair competition in the digital market. Now, it’s time to match those ambitions with action. We look forward to working with Commissioner for Competition Teresa Ribera to ensure that unbiased search becomes the cornerstone of our internet ecosystem.

At yesterday’s confirmation hearing, Commissioner-designate for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas made a pivotal pledge to make cross-border and multimodal single ticketing a reality: "My intention is to bring a Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation as soon as possible. This is about the difficulty passengers have that they cannot book one single ticket for one [rail] connection if it is cross-regional or cross-border. I will also have the multimodal initiative […], meaning you will be able to have single ticketing for different modes, for example using an airplane on one leg of your trip and a train for the second leg.”   Our coalition, representing consumers, business travelers, environmental organizations, and independent ticket intermediaries, has long called for this change. The ability to compare, combine, and book across operators and modes is long overdue and essential to boosting both consumer choice and sustainability in European travel. 🌍🌱   We urge the European Commission to prioritize this initiative in early 2025. It’s time for real change in transport—one ticket at a time.   ➡ Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/eXNkQ8Fg

What a day! 🌟 It was fantastic to have so many of you join us yesterday for our annual conference Powered by Tech: Harnessing Data for Sustainable and Innovative Travel Insights! We kicked things off with Lisa Imlach, Director of Corporate Affairs at Skyscanner, who shared fascinating insights on generational shifts in travel trends. 🌍✈️ Today’s travelers are eager to explore more sustainably, but often don’t know how. The travel tech industry is there to provide them with the right tools to do so. For instance, recommending destinations that match travelers' needs while offering alternatives to overcrowded tourism hotspots is one powerful solution. Next up, we heard from James Cassidy, Senior Director of Partner Success EMEA at Expedia Group, and Clément Eulry, Country Manager for France & Belgium at Airbnb, on how short-term rentals contribute to more meaningful travel experiences. 🏡 Their talk highlighted how data sharing between platforms and Member States will drive better-informed policies, especially with the EU STR Regulation now in place. Finally, Carsten Bernhard, Chief Technology Officer at eDreams ODIGEO, rounded out the session by emphasizing the potential of technology to enable seamless multimodal travel. 🚉✈️ But there’s a catch: it's often challenging to ensure transparent and fair data sharing from transport operators. Legislative action is essential to foster open data sharing and unlock the full potential of these services for consumers. A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers and attendees for making it such an insightful and inspiring day! 🙏 A special shout-out to our fantastic moderator, Dave Keating, for guiding the discussions, and to our Chair, Martin Nolan, for his leadership. Huge thanks as well to the team at Hanover Communications for their support in bringing this event to life! 👏

Join us tomorrow for engaging discussions on key topics such as the future of multimodal travel, how local communities can better manage tourism flows, and the generational shifts shaping travel trends. 🚅🌃🌎 Our keynote speakers include Clément Eulry, Country Manager for France & Belgium at Airbnb, and James Cassidy, Senior Director of Partner Success EMEA at Expedia Group. They will explore how short-term rentals can meet evolving travel demands by offering more meaningful experiences. Additionally, they’ll discuss how data sharing on short-term rentals can play a crucial role in fostering sustainable tourism growth. Register here: https://lnkd.in/epdZicS7 See you tomorrow!

Heading into the weekend to finalize your travel plans for the fall? If so, you may have noticed that navigating multimodal travel and accessing all the relevant information can be a real challenge! Fortunately, enabling travellers to efficiently search for and book transportation across Europe has become a top priority for the incoming second von der Leyen Commission. Join us at our conference next week to learn how travel tech innovators are tackling this issue! High-level speakers like Carsten Bernhard, Chief Technology Officer at eDreams ODIGEO, will shed light on the current state of technology and the path forward towards creating a truly seamless travel experience. Register here: https://lnkd.in/epdZicS7

Join us on 25 September for our conference Powered by Tech: Harnessing Data for Sustainable and Innovative Travel Insights!🌍 If you’re curious about how generational shifts are shaping the future of travel, you won’t want to miss our conversation with Lisa Imlach, Director of Corporate Affairs at Skyscanner ✈️ We'll also dive into how travel platforms can help destinations drive sustainable tourism growth with insights from Airbnb and Expedia Group, and explore how data could power seamless travel experiences with eDreams ODIGEO 🏙️🚆 Get ready for valuable insights from leading industry voices! Register here: https://lnkd.in/epdZicS7 #TravelTech #SustainableTravel #FutureOfTravel #TourismInnovation

"Google is once again playing the system, by presenting solutions that are not only non-compliant but also largely unchanged, offering no meaningful improvements." Many thanks, Júlia Tar, for including our views in this piece about the latest developments in the European Commission's non-compliant investigation into Alphabet for its implementation of the Digital Markets Act. Despite the current challenges, we are confident that a non-compliance decision and subsequent fine from the Commission will compel Google to reconsider its position and abandon its 'self-preferencing or nothing' approach. #DMA #DigitalMarketsAct #Selfpreferencing #searchengines #gatekeepers

eu travel tech welcomes the #ECJ decision in the #GoogleShopping case, upholding the General Court's ruling, thus confirming that #Google abused its dominant position in online search through self-preferencing. This is a landmark victory for competition and fairness in the digital economy. A special thank you to Executive Vice-President Margrethe #Vestager for her leadership and dedication in securing one of the most important antitrust wins for digital markets. However, while this ruling is a step in the right direction, it hasn’t fully addressed all concerns surrounding Google's self-preferencing practices. But there is good news ahead! The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is now in place, and Article 6.5 specifically bans self-preferencing by gatekeepers like Google Search. We are actively collaborating with the European Commission to ensure this vital provision is enforced effectively. This is a crucial moment for ensuring a competitive and open digital landscape, and we are committed to supporting the implementation of the DMA to create a fairer market for all players.

Get ready for an insightful discussion on the way data and technology are changing travel! 🌍 On September 25th, we’re bringing together industry experts to explore the key challenges and opportunities facing the travel sector in a rapidly evolving world. From generational shifts in travel habits to the role of technology in making journeys more seamless and sustainable, this event will offer valuable perspectives on how we can all make more conscious travel decisions. Join us as we delve into how data, innovation, and collaboration can help cities manage tourism, empower travelers with better choices, and ensure that tourism growth is balanced with local community needs. We’ll hear from leaders across the travel industry who are driving these important conversations and leading initiatives for a more sustainable future. Don’t miss out! 🌿✈️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/epdZicS7

🌅 As summer slowly winds down, we’re left with cherished memories of the places and destinations that will warm our hearts during the colder months ahead. Yet, as we reflect on our travels, many of us find ourselves questioning the impact we’ve made: How can a city cope with such an influx of tourists? Could I have chosen a more sustainable way to reach my destination, perhaps by combining multiple modes of transport? How can air travel be optimized to balance convenience with sustainability? These are the kinds of questions that the travel tech industry is striving to answer. By helping decision-makers and society make informed choices, we're ensuring that while travel experiences become more seamless, they also remain mindful of residents and the environment. If this summer has inspired you to think more deeply about these issues, then don’t miss our upcoming event on September 25th!