Artificial Intelligence

PhocusWire’s in-depth coverage of generative AI including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and other solutions and how they are being used across the travel industry.

Gen AI is transforming the travel industry by enabling new levels of automation, personalization and decision-making. From AI-powered chat interfaces to dynamic content creation and predictive analytics, PhocusWire explores the growing influence of generative and agentic AI in travel—and what it means for suppliers, intermediaries, and travelers alike.

How AI tools are reshaping travel and tourism operations

Our coverage tracks how travel companies are implementing AI across customer service, marketing, product development, and internal workflows. Whether it's conversational commerce, itinerary generation, or fraud detection, generative AI is unlocking new operational efficiencies and guest experiences throughout the industry.

 

Travel Marketing AI Summit London
Event / Technology
Travel Marketing AI Summit London
September 8, 2026
Phocuswright's Travel Marketing AI summit comes to London, September 8. Register Now
Booking.com's James Waters on the human psyche, AI and shiny things
News / Online
Booking.com's James Waters on the human psyche, AI and shiny things
By Linda Fox | June 18, 2026
James Waters, chief business officer of Booking.com, spoke about the ways AI is impacting the travel industry and human behavior during an interview at Phocuswright Europe 2026. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Headlines from HITEC 2026
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Headlines from HITEC 2026
By PhocusWire | June 18, 2026
All the people, partner and product news from HITEC 2026. Read More
Meet the winners of the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Meet the winners of the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | June 17, 2026
The eight travel tech startups will travel to WiT Singapore this fall, where they will compete for audience-voted People's Choice honors and a chance to present at The Phocuswright Conference in... Read More
Bonafide, Visiting Media team up to improve hotel AI visibility
News / Technology
Bonafide, Visiting Media team up to improve hotel AI visibility
By Cathy Walsh | June 17, 2026
The companies said the partnership combines content management and AI optimization tools to help hotels improve how they are represented in generative AI platforms. Read More
Document compliance has a timing problem, and it's costing airlines millions
From Our Partners / Technology
Document compliance has a timing problem, and it's costing airlines millions
By Jason Spencer, ICTS Europe Systems | June 17, 2026
Airlines can reduce fines, gate disruption and passenger friction by moving document verification earlier in the check-in journey. Read More
The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
Interview / Online
The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
By Cathy Walsh | June 17, 2026
During an interview at Phocuswright Europe, John Matson of Propellic and Carlo del Mistro of Stiplo explored how generative AI is reshaping travel discovery, brand visibility and competitive dynamics... Read More
Besty AI closes $3.75M seed round
News / Finance
Besty AI closes $3.75M seed round
By Cathy Walsh | June 16, 2026
Besty AI is betting that automation can transform short-term rental operations, with plans to expand its platform and grow its enterprise customer base. Read More
Combining travel and tradition: Trip.Biz forging a new path for TMCs
From Our Partners / Online
Combining travel and tradition: Trip.Biz forging a new path for TMCs
By Mark Frary | June 16, 2026
Trip.Biz CEO Dr. Tao Song discusses how technology, AI and high-touch service are reshaping TMCs as business travel demands evolve. Read More
Germany sets a travel spending record—sustaining it won’t be simple
News / Online
Germany sets a travel spending record—sustaining it won’t be simple
By Phocuswright Research | June 16, 2026
Phocuswright's Germany Travel Market Essentials 2026 examines the market's growth, structural vulnerabilities, future outlook and more. Read More
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
Opinion / Distribution
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
By Boštjan Koželj | June 16, 2026
Boštjan Koželj argues that hotels risk missing the next wave of AI-driven distribution because many still lack the machine-readable infrastructure needed to compete in emerging channels. Read More
AI won't take your job. It will take away the grind.
From Our Partners / Technology
AI won't take your job. It will take away the grind.
By Juanjo Rodriguez, Lighthouse | June 15, 2026
Hoteliers didn't hire their commercial teams to build reports. They hired them to make the call. Read More
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
By Cathy Walsh | June 15, 2026
Loook is building a GPS-enabled storytelling platform that automatically delivers location-based stories to travelers as they move through destinations, helping tourism organizations extend engagement... Read More
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
News / Technology
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | June 15, 2026
Veltra’s chief transformation officer explains how AI is challenging Japan’s culture of perfection—and why women may be uniquely suited to thrive in the AI era. Read More
Top investors in travel tech 2026
News / Startups
Top investors in travel tech 2026
By Linda Fox | June 15, 2026
PhocusWire has delved into who were the top investors in travel tech 2026 to uncover the startups getting funding and the sectors investors are passing on. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026