Is Amazon seriously getting into Travel?
Many top travel brands join Amazon's Cyber Week!!
Top brands like Viator, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, American Airlines, Avis, and more offer exclusive deals on Amazon during Cyber Week.
Amazon, which previously struggled in the travel sector, found some success in July this year with Prime Day Travel Deals, which featured a few top brands. Now, many more brands are partnering with Amazon during Cyber Week.
It looks like Amazon is taking Travel seriously. Can they go deep and create an online travel experience? Travel is complex and super perishable, and its inventory cannot be managed in modern warehouses!!
While some speculate Amazon could become a significant player in the travel market, others say it might focus more on expanding marketplace offerings than directly competing with traditional travel sites.
My Take:
Amazon has a large consumer base that also buys travel products like Airlines or Holidays. The company already sells other associated travel products, like luggage and holiday gear, on its platform. It understands consumer buying behavior well and can predict travel needs. It may remain focused on the marketplace, letting traditional travel players handle fulfillment while using its consumer proximity and understanding to cross-sell.
This shift could potentially reshape the industry, as anyone closer to the customer has the most power in the buying chain. Only time will tell the full impact of Amazon's foray into Travel.
One thing is sure: in this evolving landscape, the buyer stands to gain the most!!