The Rise of Travel: A Double-Edged Sword

Traveling the world just got a little more accessible—with outbound trips surging by 3.9% in just the first eight months of 2017, thanks largely to low-cost airlines. Folks, especially in Asia, are packing their bags and hopping on planes like never before. But don’t pop the champagne just yet; the travel industry is facing some serious headwinds that can’t simply be ignored.

The Cartel Conundrum

Now let’s talk about the big kids in the travel playground. A handful of companies dominate the scene, forming a near-cartel that stifles competition. Sounds ominous, right? Well, it should because despite the sea of options available online, consumers are often maneuvering between a select few companies and their myriad affiliates without even realizing it. According to Nasdaq, it’s a bit like trying to distinguish between two different types of soda in a glass—and yet, you didn’t know they came from the same bottling plant. With companies like Expedia and Priceline controlling 95% of the US online travel market, it’s like a game of Monopoly, but with fewer choices for the players.

A New Dawn with Winding Tree

Enter Winding Tree, a breath of fresh air in this congested travel marketplace. Imagine a decentralized, open-source travel distribution platform that kicks out those pesky intermediaries and connects customers directly to travel product suppliers. It’s revolutionary! By cutting out the middleman, travelers can finally take control of their budgets. This platform is designed to elevate everyone’s game, giving smaller businesses a fighting chance—no more favoritism toward the corporate giants.

Key Features of the Winding Tree Platform

• Direct Distribution: Inventory flows directly to points of sale, slashing markups.
• Greater Choice: Retailers can access an extensive range of suppliers without worrying about inflated prices.
• Democratic Governance: The community participates defensively; everyone can propose changes.
• Lif Tokens: These nifty tokens are at the core, allowing for transactions and governance participation.

Lif Tokens: More Than Just Currency

So what’s the deal with these Lif tokens? Think of them as the golden tickets of the Winding Tree platform. They enable users to conduct transactions and also lend a say in platform governance. Starting February 1, 2018, Winding Tree is rolling out a Token Generation Event, and from what we hear, it’s already creating quite a buzz.

Token Fundraising and Market Validation

The details are intriguing: Lif tokens will be priced between 1,000-900 for Ethereum (ETH) and will generate token supply through community interest, not arbitrary caps. Any excess funds collected will be safely stored, allowing participants to withdraw a share if they wish. You read that right—money in the travel industry that isn’t just vanishing into thin air!

Leveraging Big-Name Partnerships

One of the most compelling aspects of Winding Tree is its coalition of travel industry heavyweights. With partners like Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, and Nordic Choice Hotels already on board, it’s clear they mean business. But the real fun kicks off in Aruba, where the project aims to attract tourists directly to local sellers, combating the drain of revenue to big OTAs.

The Takeaway: Keep an Eye on Winding Tree

As we gear up for a year filled with potential, Winding Tree is certainly a project worth keeping on your radar. It’s harnessing the power of Blockchain technology to challenge an industry that has long resisted meaningful change. This could spell disruption for the so-called titans of travel—finally, giving power back to the people who simply want to explore the world.