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.

 

Webinar: The Rise of Agentic Commerce in Travel
Event / Technology
Webinar: The Rise of Agentic Commerce in Travel
June 11, 2026
In this webinar, PayPal, Sabre and Mindtrip come together to showcase the industry’s first end-to-end agentic travel booking experience.    Register Now
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Yotel, IHG and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Yotel, IHG and more...
By PhocusWire | June 5, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Inside the Philippines’ most overlooked $36B digital market
News / Online
Inside the Philippines’ most overlooked $36B digital market
By WiT | June 5, 2026
Explore data from WiT's "Online Travel Tracker Volume 5: Philippines In Focus."   Read More
Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller says AI won't replace humans
News / Technology
Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller says AI won't replace humans
By Morgan Hines | June 5, 2026
Expedia Group is intent on pursuing AI opportunities, but the company’s chairman has expressed apprehension over the technology. Read More
Architecture, pace, culture: Navigating travel's AI transition
News / Technology
Architecture, pace, culture: Navigating travel's AI transition
By Morgan Hines | June 4, 2026
Executives from Hilton, Air Canada, Marriott and Evolve share what they have learned revamping legacy technology. Read More
On-demand webinar: The state of digital transformation in an AI-driven world
Event / Online
On-demand webinar: The state of digital transformation in an AI-driven world
on-demand
Watch this on-demand webinar for 10 insights on AI, personalization, LLM discoverability and loyalty shaping travel and hospitality CX strategy in 2026. On Demand
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
News / Startups
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
By Morgan Hines | June 3, 2026
Mindtrip has signed contracts with two destination marketing organizations: Madeira Promotion Bureau and Norwegian Travel Cluster. Read More
Perk secures $300M in finance for product and technology investment
News / Finance
Perk secures $300M in finance for product and technology investment
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2026
Perk said the new credit facility reflects lender confidence in its "vision and strategy." Read More
Priceline updates Penny AI assistant with Claude
News / Technology
Priceline updates Penny AI assistant with Claude
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2026
Priceline said Claude models will support conversational reasoning and planning for its Penny AI assistant. Read More
OTA marketing spend creeps up despite talk of AI-driven efficiency
News / Finance
OTA marketing spend creeps up despite talk of AI-driven efficiency
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2026
Airbnb, Booking Holdings and Expedia Group upped sales and marketing investment in Q1 2026, with some sharing AI impact and others steering clear. Read More
Pricepoint closes $6.6M seed round led by Brightspark Ventures
News / Finance
Pricepoint closes $6.6M seed round led by Brightspark Ventures
By Cathy Walsh | June 2, 2026
The funding will be used to continue development of the company’s AI-powered revenue management platform for accommodations, including investment in product and engineering. Read More
Web Travel Group acquires hotel rebooking platform Pruvo
News / Finance
Web Travel Group acquires hotel rebooking platform Pruvo
By Cathy Walsh | June 2, 2026
Web Travel Group plans to use Pruvo’s hotel booking optimization technology within its B2B accommodation operations. Read More
Are hotel CEOs overestimating their AI edge?
News / Technology
Are hotel CEOs overestimating their AI edge?
By Matthew Parsons | June 2, 2026
Hotel brands are touting AI as a competitive advantage, but long-term differentiation may hinge on data, execution speed and control over distribution.   Read More
SITA acquires Big Blue Analytics to help airline disruption recovery
News / Technology
SITA acquires Big Blue Analytics to help airline disruption recovery
By Linda Fox | June 1, 2026
Big Blue Analytics' technology works with live airline operations to evaluate the impact of a disruption on aircraft, crew, passengers and maintenance. Read More
Startup Stage: Opally targets hotel communication overload with AI receptionist platform
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Opally targets hotel communication overload with AI receptionist platform
By Cathy Walsh | June 1, 2026
The startup’s AI platform manages hotel guest inquiries across channels, aiming to reduce repetitive communication work for front-desk staff. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026