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 players weigh approaches to winning AI visibility
News / Technology
Travel players weigh approaches to winning AI visibility
By Morgan Hines | March 25, 2026
As AI transforms search into an interactive "answer set," travel brands must pivot to prioritizing first-party data, content portability and trust. Read More
The fastest shift in travel behavior just became the default
News / Online
The fastest shift in travel behavior just became the default
By Phocuswright Research | March 24, 2026
With more than half of active U.S. travelers using AI, how travel planning is thought about is changing. Read More
AI booking push continues, despite OpenAI's strategic shift
News / Technology
AI booking push continues, despite OpenAI's strategic shift
By Cathy Walsh | March 24, 2026
Travel companies are advancing a range of approaches to AI-driven booking, highlighting a fragmented path toward agentic commerce. Read More
MakeMyTrip partners with Mastercard on AI travel concierge
News / Online
MakeMyTrip partners with Mastercard on AI travel concierge
By Linda Fox | March 23, 2026
The service, which is called Lifestyle Navigator, aims to offer a personalized experience, by combining MMT’s travel marketplace and trip planning assistant Myra with Mastercard’s AI capabilities.  Read More
Startup Stage: Q Concierge positions voice AI as core hotel infrastructure
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Q Concierge positions voice AI as core hotel infrastructure
By Cathy Walsh | March 23, 2026
Q Concierge’s voice AI platform acts as a 24/7 digital front desk, helping hotels capture missed bookings, respond instantly to guests and streamline operations. Read More
Why Google will win the agentic e-commerce race and what it means for travel
Opinion / Technology
Why Google will win the agentic e-commerce race and what it means for travel
By Mario Gavira - Travelier | March 23, 2026
Google doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel, it just needs to win against OpenAI to become the go-to AI travel assistant. Read More
Google adds cart, loyalty features to UCP
News / Technology
Google adds cart, loyalty features to UCP
By Linda Fox | March 20, 2026
The company has added cart and loyalty capabilities to simplify the shopping experience. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: TourRadar, SAP Concur, HTS and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: TourRadar, SAP Concur, HTS and more...
By PhocusWire | March 20, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Aven Hospitality, Hovr partner to integrate video technology
News / Technology
Aven Hospitality, Hovr partner to integrate video technology
By Morgan Hines | March 19, 2026
Aven Hospitalty will add Hovr's dynamic video technology to its booking engine to give hoteliers the ability to adopt a video strategy. Read More
APAC startup funding tightens as market matures
News / Startups
APAC startup funding tightens as market matures
By Morgan Hines | March 19, 2026
 APAC is undergoing structural shifts in travel startup funding and innovation. Read More
Winning in attractions: Innovation, personalization and the travel experience economy
News / Technology
Winning in attractions: Innovation, personalization and the travel experience economy
By WIT | March 18, 2026
Trip.com Group is leveraging technology to grow its travel experiences business. Read More
What does ‘AI-native’ really mean in travel?
News / Technology
What does ‘AI-native’ really mean in travel?
By Morgan Hines | March 18, 2026
Travel companies are shifting to an "AI-native" model—what that means for legacy brands and startups varies. Read More
Two operational priorities that define AI success
News / Technology
Two operational priorities that define AI success
By Phocuswright Research | March 17, 2026
Travel leaders need to prioritize evaluation and data to use artificial intelligence successfully. Read More
MCP vs. NDC and other challenges facing airline distribution
News / Distribution
MCP vs. NDC and other challenges facing airline distribution
By Linda Fox | March 17, 2026
Airline, intermediary and travel technology executives shared thoughts on NDC, evolution with orders and the impact of AI at UATP's Airline Distribution 2026 conference. Read More
AI's potential to drive digitalization in tours and activities
News / Technology
AI's potential to drive digitalization in tours and activities
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2026
During a session at ITB Berlin, executives from Civitatis, Expedia Group and Nezasa discussed where AI could have the most impact on tours and activities. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026