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.

 

Understory lands €12M to help experience providers automate their businesses
News / Technology
Understory lands €12M to help experience providers automate their businesses
By Linda Fox | September 8, 2025
The company, formerly called Holdbar, will use the investment to expand in the experiences market as well as for product development. Read More
Startup Stage: StayNow wants to simplify trip planning
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: StayNow wants to simplify trip planning
By Abby Crotty | September 8, 2025
StayNow uses AI to help simplify the trip planning process for travelers. Read More
OTAs' high hopes for social, AI channels as Q2 marketing spend hits $5B
News / Online
OTAs' high hopes for social, AI channels as Q2 marketing spend hits $5B
By Linda Fox | September 8, 2025
OTAs are looking to drive efficiency as they diversify from performance marketing to other channels, including social and AI-powered search. Read More
Fliggy's business travel arm AliBtrip unveils AI tools
News / Technology
Fliggy's business travel arm AliBtrip unveils AI tools
By Linda Fox | September 5, 2025
AliBtrip's AI solution has an employee travel agent module and a corporate management agent to help streamline backend processes and ensure compliance. Read More
Startup Stage: Journey aims to offer a more flexible, personalized loyalty program
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Journey aims to offer a more flexible, personalized loyalty program
By Abby Crotty | September 5, 2025
Journey was founded in 2024, helping luxury travelers earn rewards when booking with boutique and independently owned properties. Read More
Travel industry stakeholders react to Google Chrome, data sharing ruling
News / Online
Travel industry stakeholders react to Google Chrome, data sharing ruling
By Morgan Hines | September 5, 2025
What does it mean for travel now that Google will be required to share data with rivals? Read More
Agentic AI and the impending surge of look-to-book ratios
News / Technology
Agentic AI and the impending surge of look-to-book ratios
By Mark Frary | September 3, 2025
With an increase in L2Bs, travel companies need to be ready to ensure their costs don't balloon. Read More
Google will have to share data with competitors, U.S. judge rules
News / Online
Google will have to share data with competitors, U.S. judge rules
By Morgan Hines | September 2, 2025
Google will not have to sell its Chrome browser but will face new restraints such as a block on exclusive contracts. Read More
Looking ahead: United States online travel agencies bet on loyalty, AI and B2B
News / Online
Looking ahead: United States online travel agencies bet on loyalty, AI and B2B
By Phocuswright Research | September 2, 2025
The road ahead is defined by three themes: loyalty, B2B expansion and the rise of virtual agents. Read More
ZUZU raises fresh capital, bets on AI to scale soul of indie hospitality
News / Startups
ZUZU raises fresh capital, bets on AI to scale soul of indie hospitality
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | August 29, 2025
The Singapore-based startup, founded in 2017 by former Expedia executive Vikram Malhi, is positioning itself at the heart of hospitality’s AI revolution. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Accor, Skyscanner, Mews and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Accor, Skyscanner, Mews and more...
By PhocusWire | August 29, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Trip.com Group unveils AI trip planner
News / Online
Trip.com Group unveils AI trip planner
By Linda Fox | August 28, 2025
During the company's Q2 2025 earnings call, chairman James Liang said AI remains central to strategy, adding that OTAs are "uniquely positioned" to lead the development of travel-focused AI. Read More
Startup Stage: Maison wants to use AI to provide seamless asssitance for guests
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Maison wants to use AI to provide seamless asssitance for guests
By Abby Crotty | August 28, 2025
Maison offers an AI operating system for hotels and hospitality systems, giving guests access to 24/7 customer service via a chatbot. Read More
Have TikTok and Booking.com just ‘nuked’ the travel funnel?
News / Distribution
Have TikTok and Booking.com just ‘nuked’ the travel funnel?
By Morgan Hines | August 28, 2025
Select U.S. users can now book hotel rooms through Booking.com directly on TikTok—and the platform has also launched TikTokGO for creators to earn travel commissions. Read More
How marketers are fusing data science with real traveler behavior
From Our Partners / Online
How marketers are fusing data science with real traveler behavior
By PhocusWire | August 26, 2025
Zartico executives explore how travel marketers can use data science to close the loop between marketing investment and real-world revenue. Read More
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