Tripadvisor and Viator looking to merge operations leading to 'substantial' layoffs

[Trip advisor sticker on restaurant window]
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Tripadvisor Inc (TRIP [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/TRIP]) plans to merge its core brand and Viator business, leading to “substantial” layoffs in its engineering staff, Skift reported Tuesday.

The company has been facing pressure from activist investors Starboard and UK-based Palliser Capital to consider a sale of the entire company, or TheFork division.

“We also believe TripAdvisor has significant strategic value and would be an attractive acquisition target,” Starboard said [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4505986-tripadvisor-gains-as-starboad-value-urges-sale-thefork-divestiture] at an investor summit in October.

“[Tripadvisor] is attempting to operate simultaneously as a value business and a growth business – and succeeding at neither,” Palliser chief investment officer James Smith wrote to the Tripadvisor board.

Instead, the company is reportedly considering a combination of its Tripadvisor business and Viator, two of the three businesses under the Tripadvisor Inc parent company.

Tripadvisor (TRIP [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/TRIP]) added to its recent losses, closing below its 200-day moving average.

MORE ON TRIPADVISOR

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* Tripadvisor: SOTP Points To A Good Upside Potential [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4827896-tripadvisor-sotp-points-to-good-upside-potential]
* Tripadvisor: A Potentially Bountiful Trip To Unlocking More Valuation [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4823946-tripadvisor-a-potentially-bountiful-trip-to-unlocking-more-valuation]
* TripAdvisor gains as Starboad Value urges sale, TheFork divestiture [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4505986-tripadvisor-gains-as-starboad-value-urges-sale-thefork-divestiture]
* Activist Starboard set to discuss plans for Tripadvisor at conference [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4505579-activist-starboard-set-to-discuss-plans-for-tripadvisor-at-conference]