From women in travel to trouble in the luxury segment and Thomas Cook’s digital turnaround, here are some EyeforTravel’s most read stories from the past month

Each month we speak to industry executives from across the travel industry. We hear their challenges and concerns, what they’re doing well and what they could do better.

Here are five of the best that you may want to catch up on.

#1.  What does the online travel start up scene need - more women

In a piece that includes interviews with four female entrepreneurs we hear the ups and downs of making it in a male-dominated world. Getting a business off the ground in Silicon Valley appears more challenging for women than it is in Europe, but there are things you can do to ease the journey – not least find yourself a male co-founder.

Top tip: Hire the right person for the job, whatever their gender

#2.  The ‘truth’ of how Secret Escapes is carving a niche in the noisy travel space

Succeeding in a crowded market place is tough but the secret is telling the truth, says Secret Escapes Chief Executive Tom Valentine. One of the strongest points of this members only discount club for handpicked luxury, is presenting content in a simple but aesthetically pleasing way. Valentine believes that the look of an hotels’ website often reflects the on-the-ground experience. So if a website doesn’t look the part, then Secret Escapes will turn down prospective supply-side customers.

Top tip: Tell the truth in an interesting way and wrap it up in an interesting narrative

#3.  How Airbnb slunk in on LA and what that could mean for luxury travel

The luxury travel segment is becoming increasingly competitive. Today you don’t have to stay in a five-star hotel to experience a little luxury; you can simply ‘live like a local star’. That’s putting pressure on hotel chains to deliver more to their upscale customers. Clearly, this is an issue that needs to be addressed at board level. Ana Brant, Director, Global Guest Experience & Innovation at the Dorchester Collection believes it’s time to start benchmarking against high-tech players - also in February read why Expedia doesn’t see mobile as a distinct channel.

Top Tip: Understand what high-tech players are doing well, why they are doing it and how they are doing it

# 4.  Subtle but seismic: Thomas Cook and its digital journey

In an exclusive interview with Marco Ryan, Chief Digital Officer, Thomas Cook we hear what strides have been made so far and what the priorities are for the coming year. Though turning a legacy player around is a mammoth task, later in the month we also reveal that it is starting to pay off.

Top Tip: Focus ruthlessly on the customer experience and not on technology

#5.  Forget social metrics and get down to mobile business, says Facebook

In another exclusive interview this month with Dorianne Richelle, Facebook’s Travel Lead, we hear insights into how digital behaviour is changing and how what you do with social is no longer what it used to be.

Top Tip: Forget social metrics and focus on brand equity and sales  

Next week is the Mobile World Congress. Why not join there or at one of our upcoming events to hear more from the executives quoted above. Alternatively, subscribe to EyeforTravel for more detailed business intelligence