Jagmohan Garg

As per Jagmohan Garg travel updates, Google-parent Alphabet (GOOGL) is unlikely to compete head-on with online travel leaders Expedia (EXPE) and Priceline Group (PCLN), while Facebook (FB) poses little threat to Google in travel-related advertising, says RBC Capital. RBC Capital's take on the travel business is based in part on a meeting with industry research firm Skift. Google has been expanding its travel services that began with Google Flights, an online flight booking service, in 2011. Google in 2016 released a new smartphone app that helps users plan and organize trips. Google in 2015 launched an advertising program called Google Hotel Ads. Skift estimates Google accounted for 90% of the digital travel advertising market in 2016, garnering some $12 billion in revenue. Priceline, Expedia and TripAdvisor (TRIP) were the biggest buyers of ad space on Google. "We and Skift do not believe Google will ever become an online travel agency," said Mark Mahaney, a R...