Amadeus, Sabre see EU antitrust probe advance as airlines get wide-ranging questionnaire
MLex Insight, May 1, 2019 (subscription required)
Amadeus and Sabre’s contract terms are the focus of a detailed questionnaire sent to airlines over the past week as part of an EU antitrust probe into the ticketing technology companies, MLex has learned. European Commission officials want to understand how contracts are negotiated; how much the companies charge; how they may have reacted to arrival of competitors; and whether they may have tied use of their airline software to ticketing contracts.

Expedia CEO: If United Doesn’t Talk New Deal, It Will Be ‘Completely Bewildering’
Skift Travel News, May 3, 2019
It’s certainly possible that United may walk away from Expedia on September 30 if the two parties can’t reach a new contract. Expedia is downplaying the financial impact, but the repercussions would be far-reaching — and would amount to a big hit to the Expedia brand.

Expedia shares fall as home-rental business Vrbo goes slow
Seattle Times - Business, May 2, 2019
Expedia Group reported first-quarter revenue that missed analysts’ estimates, with growth in its Vrbo short-term rental business slowing for the second straight quarter. The shares fell more than 3% in extended trading. Sales came in at $2.61 billion, up from $2.51 billion a year earlier.

New OTA targets Muslim travelers looking for halal-friendly destinations
Phocus Wire, April 30, 2019
Rihaala is a new online travel agency focused on halal-friendly destinations and accommodations and user-generated content.

Marriott is said to expand home-sharing to counter Airbnb
LA Times - Money & Company News on Apr 29, 2019
Marriott International Inc. is expanding its home-sharing business to the U.S. as Airbnb Inc. diversifies its own business ahead of an expected initial public offering. The world’s largest hotel company plans to launch the U.S. home-sharing business in May, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who asked.