*By Samantha Errico*
Your days to travel in 2018 may be numbered, but 2019 beckons. So what's ahead for the travel industry next year? Lola.com CEO Mike Volpe joined Cheddar to present his predictions for travel in 2019.
**Day-Rate Hotels**
"In this world where everyone wants to be faster and more agile, your needs around business are changing," Volpe told Cheddar Friday. Hotels are incorporating flexible check-in times for travelers who take red eyes, and offering hourly rates for visitors who are only in town for the day. Hotels are adapting to the pace of the modern travel and the growing demand of customers.
**Out with Corporate Travel, in with Consumer Travel**
The business travel industry is expected to hit $1.6 trillion by 2020, and more companies are trying to exploit the market. Companies are meeting the growing demands of the market by "taking the consumer speed and agility from the consumer travel world into the corporate travel world," Volpe said. Travel companies are racing to find the easiest booking system possible, Volpe said. "The average corporate travel system takes a person about an hour to book their flight and hotel for an upcoming trip," he added.
AT&T announced a new partnership with Swedish communications company Ericsson.
Hackers accessed the personal data of 6.9 million users via the genetic testing company 23andMe.
Stocks fell after the opening bell on Tuesday morning as signs pointed to another losing session.
Bitcoin is once again having a moment. On Monday, the world's largest cryptocurrency soared past $41,000 for the first time in over a year and a half — and marking a 150% rise so far this year.
Tree farmers are raising prices for Christmas trees.
Analysis shows smaller businesses are hiring more people.
Applying for financial aid for college is a long process but there's a new streamlined application for federal student aid. Mark Kantrowitz, student loan expert, joined Cheddar News to explain the FAFSA form and what kind of changes are expected.
With all of the stress surrounding the holiday season with gift-buying and planning family gatherings, it could be a chaotic time for all members of your family, including pets. Cesar Milan and Michael Ehrman, co-founders of Halo Collar, joined Cheddar News to provide tips on how to keep your pets stress-free for the upcoming holiday season.
Going home for the holidays can be pretty expensive, especially if you're a student. Cheddar News senior reporter Michelle Castillo provided tips on how to save ahead of the holiday season.
Alaska Airlines is buying Hawaiian Airlines, stocks finished at their highest level on Friday and are on the way to concluding 2023 on a positive note as Bitcoin surged. And Spotify is laying off workers, again.
