News on Travel Technology, Distribution and the Digital Economy

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News / Finance

Easol lands $30M to bring AI to experiences businesses

By Linda Fox October 30, 2026

U.K.-based Easol said the funding had allowed it to develop an agentic tool for experiences businesses called Teammates. Read More

News / Technology

PhocusWire travel tech news briefs: Travelport, HTS, Virgin Atlantic and more...

By PhocusWire October 30, 2026

Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More

News / Startups

What it takes to fund and scale travel tech in the AI era

By Cathy Walsh October 29, 2026

Investors and industry executives discussed the challenges of attracting capital, winning customers and scaling travel technology businesses at the online Travel Trends Summit.... Read More

News / Distribution

In Eastern Europe, local OTAs beat the giants by going narrow

By Phocuswright Research October 29, 2026

Booking.com leads accommodation across most of Eastern Europe, but homegrown OTAs are growing faster by localizing hard.... Read More

News / Technology

Expedia Group expands AI features across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo

By Abby Crotty October 28, 2026

The online travel giant launched approximately 30 new and enhanced features, including expanded natural language search, as part of its fall 2026 product release.... Read More

News / Online

Airbnb to fund its nonprofit with share of stay revenue

By Cathy Walsh October 28, 2026

The funding model is expected to help Airbnb.org expand its emergency housing programs and provide 1 million nights of free accommodation annually within five years.... Read More

In Phocus Podcast

October 21, 2026

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Top investors in travel tech 2026

News / Startups

More News & Analysis

News / Technology

Personal AI assistants could be re-shopping ‘landmine’ for hotels

Hotels and technology providers are now exploring the potential impact of re-shopping, where AI agents... Read more

News / Technology

Amex GBT’s CTO on AI agents, servicing and working with Long Lake

Amex GBT CTO Michael Esquibel said Long Lake is "in it for the long haul" as the pair collaborates on... Read more

News / Startups

Where are they now? Checking in with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2025

We touched base with three members of our 2025 class, Byway, D3X and Faye, asking about their... Read more

Interview / Online

Omio CFO on Rail Europe and what's next for M&A

Jean-Bernard Moens discusses Omio’s acquisition strategy, expansion in APAC and ambitions for... Read more

News / Online

European Commission investigating Booking.com's handling of scams, fraud

The regulator said it has opened formal proceedings to determine whether Booking.com may have breached... Read more

News / Technology

Tour operators question OTA rankings as AI changes travel discovery

Some tours and activities operators are reporting sharp declines in bookings through OTAs, even as... Read more

Presenting the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026

News / Startups

From Our Partners

Weekly Travel Tech News Brief

PhocusWire travel tech news briefs: Travelport, HTS, Virgin Atlantic and more...

News / Technology

Upcoming Events/Replays

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17Nov

The Phocuswright Conference 2026 November 17-19, 2026
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

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