VIDEO: Tripadvisor slams Google strategy as operating at "expense of everyone else"

Steve Kaufer, president and CEO at Tripadvisor, generally pulls no punches when he talks about Google's position in travel.

Recent remarks stayed true to form, with him describing Google as using its “unfair advantage as gatekeeper to most of the internet to drive a lot of traffic to its funnel at the expense of everyone else.”

Responding to a question on Google’s pay-per-stay model at last month’s Phocuswright Conference 2020 virtual event, Kaufer adds: “We see governments taking some excellent actions there, which is great for health of the internet - yes, in travel, but really in all categories.”

While Tripadvisor has had its own similar models in the past, Kaufer also shares that, in the current challenging conditions, the company has moved to a cost-per-acquisition or per-stay model with some customers.

Watch the full interview below for his thoughts on the company’s recently announced subscription model for consumers.

Kaufer also talks about some of the travel trends that may remain longer term as the industry recovers, following research unveiled by Phocuswright and Tripadvisor.

The full research paper is available for free below (download here).