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.

 

Holiwise secures funding for AI agent for premium travel
News / Startups
Holiwise secures funding for AI agent for premium travel
By Linda Fox | August 26, 2025
Holiwise said the funding will go towards accelerating the development of its AI travel agent and dynamic packaging capabilities. Read More
Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2020?
News / Online
Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2020?
By Abby Crotty | August 26, 2025
As part of our Travel Tech Flashback series, we took a look at 2020, otherwise known as the year that changed travel forever. Read More
Will travel's messy data hamper AI progress?
Opinion / Technology
Will travel's messy data hamper AI progress?
By Timothy O'Neil-Dunne | August 25, 2025
Are we layering AI agents on top of an already broken data foundation that was never fit for machine consumption? Read More
Google expands AI Mode to 180 new countries and territories, adds features
News / Technology
Google expands AI Mode to 180 new countries and territories, adds features
By Abby Crotty | August 22, 2025
One of the new features include enhanced options for finding restaurant reservations, local appointments and event tickets. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Agoda, Sabre, Travelport and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Agoda, Sabre, Travelport and more...
By PhocusWire | August 22, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Saudi Arabian vacation rental platform Gathern lands $72 million
News / Online
Saudi Arabian vacation rental platform Gathern lands $72 million
By Abby Crotty | August 21, 2025
Founded in 2017 and based in Riyadh, Gathern said the funding will help increase local and regional expansion. Read More
Addressing rising customer acquisition costs in travel
News / Online
Addressing rising customer acquisition costs in travel
By Abby Crotty | August 21, 2025
According to a survey of approximately 270 respondents across the travel industry, customer acquisition costs were up approximately 35% from 2022 to 2025, while customer lifetime value was up just 4.5%.... Read More
Generative AI platform personalization: At what cost?
News / Technology
Generative AI platform personalization: At what cost?
By Matthew Parsons | August 20, 2025
Travel companies have been striving to obtain specific, personalized data for many years. Are the AI platforms about to gain a competitive edge as they learn more about the users? Read More
Kasa raises $40M to invest in technology, AI
News / Online
Kasa raises $40M to invest in technology, AI
By Morgan Hines | August 19, 2025
Kasa, formerly known as Kasa Living, raised $70 million in Series C funding in 2023. Read More
Get real: The power of combining AI with authentic intelligence
From Our Partners / Technology
Get real: The power of combining AI with authentic intelligence
By Chris Hemmeter - Thayer Investment Partners | August 19, 2025
Chris Hemmeter from Thayer Investment Partners outlines his thoughts on the importance of balancing AI with the core tenets of authentic hospitality.   Read More
Startup Stage: Aloja wants to help tour and activity operators boost earnings
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Aloja wants to help tour and activity operators boost earnings
By Abby Crotty | August 19, 2025
Aloja was founded by CEO Daniel Pino and chief technology officer Daniel Cabra, the team behind TourOpp, which was acquired by RocketRez in 2022. Read More
Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2018?
News / Online
Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2018?
By Linda Fox | August 19, 2025
Take a look back at some of the headlines in the travel industry from 2018. Do they any bearing on what's happening now? Read More
India-based OTA Yatra launches AI assistant DIYA
News / Technology
India-based OTA Yatra launches AI assistant DIYA
By Morgan Hines | August 18, 2025
The launch comes weeks after MakeMyTrip announced its own upgraded AI assistant for trip planning. Read More
Decoding online shopping: Travel and hospitality consumer trends for 2025
From Our Partners / Online
Decoding online shopping: Travel and hospitality consumer trends for 2025
By AB Tasty | August 18, 2025
Find out where consumers get inspiration for new travel plans, what leads them to abandon their cart or booking, what types of AI tools can make the online experience easier and more.   Read More
Shifting paths: Inside the 2025 traveler decision signals
News / Online
Shifting paths: Inside the 2025 traveler decision signals
By Phocuswright Research | August 18, 2025
The future of travel is as much about how and why people choose their destinations as it is about where they go. Read More
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