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.

 

CEO Spotlight: Teresa Mackintosh of Aven Hospitality
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Teresa Mackintosh of Aven Hospitality
By Linda Fox | February 26, 2026
Aven Hospitality's Teresa Mackintosh discusses the company's priorities, industry challenges and balancing investor and hotelier needs. Read More
Accessible tourism platform Wheel the World closes $11M Series A round
News / Online
Accessible tourism platform Wheel the World closes $11M Series A round
By Abby Crotty | February 25, 2026
The round includes $3.5 million in fresh capital. Read More
Amadeus acquires AI-driven corporate travel startup SkyLink
News / Technology
Amadeus acquires AI-driven corporate travel startup SkyLink
By Linda Fox | February 25, 2026
Amadeus said the acquisition will help it scale its AI efforts, and it plans to add SkyLink's conversational technology to its existing tools. Read More
RobosizeME lands $2M to automate back-office hotel processes
News / Startups
RobosizeME lands $2M to automate back-office hotel processes
By Linda Fox | February 25, 2026
RobosizeME aims to help hoteliers reduce errors, cut costs and free up staff to focus on other parts of running a hotel. Read More
AI is changing travel companies’ hiring mindset
News / Technology
AI is changing travel companies’ hiring mindset
By Morgan Hines | February 25, 2026
Travel industry stakeholders weigh in on how AI is changing hiring thought processes. Read More
Awaze unveils ChatGPT app as part of £45M modernization effort
News / Technology
Awaze unveils ChatGPT app as part of £45M modernization effort
By Linda Fox | February 24, 2026
The app initially features the Cottages.com brand and enables travelers to use conversational search to find suitable properties with live availability and pricing. Read More
Startup Stage: HotelWorld AI wants to increase hotel traffic from AI platforms
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: HotelWorld AI wants to increase hotel traffic from AI platforms
By Abby Crotty | February 24, 2026
HotelWorld AI agents connect to a hotel’s existing technology stack, managed through a unified AI platform powered by a common data layer. Read More
Ranking management solution Otamiser raises $2M
News / Online
Ranking management solution Otamiser raises $2M
By Abby Crotty | February 23, 2026
Otamiser said the round was intentionally keep small, and CEO Bart-Jan Leyts emphasized that the company is "strongly focused on cost awareness." Read More
Operto develops multi-agent system for hotel operations
News / Technology
Operto develops multi-agent system for hotel operations
By Linda Fox | February 23, 2026
The agents are centralized in a hub that includes hotel policies, operational documents and live reservation data. Read More
Canada’s travel advisor market holds steady as costs rise and tech evolves
News / Online
Canada’s travel advisor market holds steady as costs rise and tech evolves
By Phocuswright Research | February 23, 2026
Phocuswright Research's latest report offers a comprehensive look at Canada's travel advisor landscape. Read More
Personalization, content production challenge DMOs
News / Online
Personalization, content production challenge DMOs
By Abby Crotty | February 23, 2026
While still a primary goal, 45% of DMOs described their personalization efforts as “moderate” in 2026, down from 53% in 2025, according to Sojern's annual report. Read More
Wyndham working across AI platforms to drive direct bookings
News / Online
Wyndham working across AI platforms to drive direct bookings
By Linda Fox | February 20, 2026
Wyndham's CEO Geoffrey Ballotti discussed how the company's AI initiatives will help customers find its properties, boost the guest experience and increase direct bookings. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: HomeToGo, Hospitable, BCD Travel and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: HomeToGo, Hospitable, BCD Travel and more...
By PhocusWire | February 20, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Always-on resilience: Why airlines must rethink disruption at scale
Opinion / Distribution
Always-on resilience: Why airlines must rethink disruption at scale
By Jitender Mohan - WNS | February 20, 2026
Jitender Mohan, business unit head of travel and leisure at WNS, discusses irregular operations in the airline industry and the need to focus on operational resilience. Read More
German RMS Happyhotel raises €6.5M in Series A round
News / Online
German RMS Happyhotel raises €6.5M in Series A round
By Abby Crotty | February 19, 2026
The funding will be used to expand across Europe and build an autonomous commercial AI agent. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026