Chris Lovatt
25 articles
Tripadvisor Strategic Plan: A Vision for the AI Era
Following remarks from Tripadvisor's CEO at the Skift Global Forum, we explore an AI-generated strategic analysis covering platform evolution, AI integration, membership programs, and competitive positioning in a landscape increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Experiences Tech & Distribution. And Maybe Some Other Travel Industry Stuff #7
The seventh Magpie Newsletter covering Arival San Diego, Airbnb's experiences relaunch plans, Viator's founding story, OCTO content standards, and the latest in AI developments.
Experiences Tech & Distribution. And Maybe Some Other Travel Industry Stuff #6
The sixth Magpie Newsletter covering the Google Things-to-Do white paper, generative AI updates, Viator leadership changes, and TripAdvisor's fake review crackdown.
How to Get Listed on Google Things to Do
Learn how to get your tours and activities listed on Google Things to do. We break down every Google surface - Ads, Carousel, POI, Admission and Operator Booking modules - and compare the three connectivity options: Google Business Profile, your ResTech, and Magpie.
Google Things to Do in 10 Minutes
A video explainer covering the Google Things to Do program, the newest addition to the Google Travel portfolio.
Google Things to Do Moving into Search Terms?
Google is expanding Things to Do beyond POI searches into broader activity-related search terms - claiming significant real estate on results pages.
The Ultimate Guide to Google Things to Do
The most comprehensive guide to Google Things to Do - what it is, how it works, where your listings appear, the different display types, and how to get started as an experience operator.
Generative AI in the Travel Industry – The Biggest Updates Since Launch
A look at the most significant generative AI developments from OpenAI's Developer Day and what they mean for the travel industry.
Experiences Tech & Distribution. And Maybe Some Other Travel Industry Stuff #4
The fourth Magpie Newsletter covering AI image creation advances, Google SEO updates, Skift Global Forum takeaways, noteworthy startups, and productivity tools.
ChatGPT for the Travel Industry
How Magpie is leveraging OpenAI's technology to help experience operators automatically generate and optimize their product content.
Christian Watts Chats with Amy British of Chat GPT
A video interview where Magpie CEO Christian Watts demonstrates ChatGPT's capabilities and explores how artificial intelligence might shape the experiences industry.
Travel Curious Turns to Magpie to Manage Content, and Expand OTA Distribution
London-based bespoke private tour company Travel Curious partners with Magpie for content management and expanded OTA distribution across 62 cities worldwide.
All the Information – All the Time
A thought piece exploring how humanity's relationship with information has fundamentally shifted, and what the rise of AI-generated content means for the travel industry.
The Content Crunch
Why the experiences industry faces a growing content management challenge, and how product information management solutions can help operators and resellers.
If I Was an OTA. And I Lost My Filter
A candid, unfiltered response to the top 10 questions operators ask OTAs in the tours and activities industry.
What Went Wrong for the OTAs?
An analysis of how the OTA model that dominated travel distribution for two decades is being disrupted by Google, direct booking, and changing market dynamics.
Why OTAs Are Your Best Friend
An exploration of why experience operators should embrace OTA partnerships rather than resist them, with practical arguments addressing common industry concerns.
Google Things to Do Operator Booking Module
Understanding Google's Operator Booking Module - what it is, how to find it, and how to troubleshoot common visibility issues.
Experiences Tech & Distribution. And Maybe Some Other Travel Industry Stuff #3
The third Magpie Newsletter featuring Peek's $80M raise, Magpie's Google Things-to-do integration, COVID efficiency gains, data standards, and GetYourGuide's ecosystem pivot.
Experiences Tech & Distribution. And Maybe Some Other Travel Industry Stuff #2
The second Magpie Newsletter covering Hopper's Placepass acquisition, Viator's commission-based rankings, Klarna's Inspirock acquisition, and the connected trip concept.
Experiences Tech & Distribution. And Maybe Some Other Travel Industry Stuff #1
The first edition of the Magpie Newsletter covering experiences technology, distribution, and travel industry news including Airbnb's evolving strategy, Google Things-to-do launch, and more.
10 Minutes with Ventrata
Magpie CEO Christian Watts sits down with Ventrata CEO Oliver Morgan to discuss the future of ticketing and reservation technology in the experiences industry.
Travel Industry Communications Channels (Tours, Activities & Experiences)
An overview of the key communications channels available to professionals in the tours, activities, and experiences sector of the travel industry.
Baidi Li, Former Viator Exec, Joins Magpie
Baidi Li, former Regional Director for APAC and MEA at Viator, joins Magpie Travel as Head of Growth Initiatives to drive key growth and Asia-Pacific expansion.
Headout and Magpie Partner to Boost Content, Reduce Costs
Headout becomes the launch partner for Magpie's new White Label Extranet product, enabling streamlined supplier onboarding and content management.