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.

 

Steve Singh's latest business travel startup lands $6M for AI agent
News / Startups
Steve Singh's latest business travel startup lands $6M for AI agent
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2024
Singh will serve as executive chairman of Otto, which is creating an AI-powered travel assistant to plan, book and support business travelers during a trip. Read More
Canary Technologies brings guest management system to BWH Hotels
News / Technology
Canary Technologies brings guest management system to BWH Hotels
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2024
The partnership between BWH Hotels and Canary Technologies will enable the hotel company to increase revenue and engage with guests across multiple touchpoints.   Read More
Besty AI lands $1.5M to drive guest communications platform forward
News / Startups
Besty AI lands $1.5M to drive guest communications platform forward
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2024
The funds will be used for further growth with plans to enhance platform and double the size of the team in the next few months. Read More
Hostfully unveils AI messaging function
News / Technology
Hostfully unveils AI messaging function
By Morgan Hines | August 21, 2024
The tool, announced Wednesday, is meant to cut down the time property managers use to address guest inquiries. Read More
CEO Spotlight: David Woolenberg of Duetto
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: David Woolenberg of Duetto
By Mitra Sorrells | August 21, 2024
Duetto provides a suite of cloud applications for more than 6,000 hotels to help them increase efficiency, revenue, and profitability. David Woolenberg has been Duetto's CEO since January 2020. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: JrnyOn empowers creators to travel with their audiences
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: JrnyOn empowers creators to travel with their audiences
By Mileva Sapic | August 20, 2024
JrnyOn empowers creators to travel with their audiences without the logistical burden and provide customers with a seamless experience from beginning to end. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Holibob, RedAwning, Cloudbeds, AirDNA and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Holibob, RedAwning, Cloudbeds, AirDNA and more
By PhocusWire | August 16, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
The role of DMOs in helping their partners effectively use AI
News / Technology
The role of DMOs in helping their partners effectively use AI
By Morgan Hines | August 16, 2024
As travelers begin to use AI search engines and agents for trip planning, should DMOs play a role in helping their suppliers understand how to use the technology to drive revenue?   Read More
Latin America super app Rappi on using its travel products to drive loyalty
News / Online
Latin America super app Rappi on using its travel products to drive loyalty
By Mitra Sorrells | August 15, 2024
 About a year after Rappi partnered with Marriott in Mexico, the integration has extended to the super app’s users in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.    Read More
Keeping the "Human in the Loop" in travel
Opinion / Online
Keeping the "Human in the Loop" in travel
By Klaus Kohlmayr - IDeaS | August 14, 2024
Chief evangelist and development officer at IDeaS, Klaus Kohlmayr, shares his thoughts on AI and its impact on humans. Read More
Airlines must protect their customers from cyber fraud - or face new consequences
Opinion / Online
Airlines must protect their customers from cyber fraud - or face new consequences
By Israel Mazin - Memcyco | August 13, 2024
Memcyco CEO Israel Mazin shares the importance of cyber fraud awareness to avoid consequences. Read More
Q&A: Travelport's Greg Webb talks future of NDC, IT outage, more
News / Online
Q&A: Travelport's Greg Webb talks future of NDC, IT outage, more
By Morgan Hines | August 12, 2024
At the Global Business Travel Association conference in Atlanta late last month, Greg Webb sat down with PhocusWire for a wide-ranging interview on the travel industry, Travelport and more. Read More
Berlin-based YGO Trips receives €2.5M in funding
News / Startups
Berlin-based YGO Trips receives €2.5M in funding
By Morgan Hines | August 9, 2024
The company, founded in January 2023, focuses on an all-in-one approach to customizable travel booking with fair prices made possible by AI solutions. Read More
AI-powered travel technology company FLYR raises $295M
News / Technology
AI-powered travel technology company FLYR raises $295M
By Morgan Hines | August 8, 2024
The funding will be used to speed FLYR’s delivery of modern reservation systems, to allow AI-based decision automation and to elevate digital channels for airlines and hospitality brands. Read More
Airbnb focused on “strategic priorities” amid solid second quarter
News / Online
Airbnb focused on “strategic priorities” amid solid second quarter
By Morgan Hines | August 6, 2024
Airbnb is looking ahead to expanding beyond its “core,” including the eventual relaunch of Airbnb Experiences, among other new features to roll out later this year and beyond. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026