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.

 

Lyft offloads self-driving car unit to Toyota
News / Online
Lyft offloads self-driving car unit to Toyota
By Jill Menze | April 27, 2021
Lyft is selling its self-driving vehicle division to Woven Planet Holdings, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, for $550 million. Read More
tripabrood-seed-funding
News / Startups
TripAbrood adds £645,000 in seed funding for AI-powered assistant
By Linda Fox | April 26, 2021
Family travel assistant TripAbrood plans to use its latest funding to launch its product to the U.K. market. Read More
Cruise autonomous vehicle brand tops up earlier round with new $750M investment
News / Technology
Cruise autonomous vehicle brand tops up earlier round with new $750M investment
By Kevin May | April 20, 2021
In January this year, Microsoft led a $2 billion funding round as part of a long-term strategic relationship to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. Read More
Personalization will power the next era of hospitality
Opinion / Technology
Personalization will power the next era of hospitality
By Rod Jimenez - SHR | April 16, 2021
After a year of dreaming about travel, guests will return to hotels with high expectations and hoteliers can't miss the opportunity to provide exceptional guest experiences. Read More
How digital health passes bring biometrics in aviation much closer
News / Technology
How digital health passes bring biometrics in aviation much closer
By Linda Fox | April 7, 2021
Progress in facial recognition technology and reduced development costs are bringing seamless travel a step closer. Read More
Xie Zhu lands $46M for smart hotel technology
News / Technology
Xie Zhu lands $46M for smart hotel technology
By Linda Fox | April 2, 2021
This latest investment comes on top of $37 million in funding announced in January 2020. Read More
Google Maps adds augmented reality for airports and stations
News / Online
Google Maps adds augmented reality for airports and stations
By Linda Fox | March 31, 2021
Google Maps says it's making 100 AI-led improvements this year. Read More
Cruise acquires Voyage to boost autonomous driving development
News / Technology
Cruise acquires Voyage to boost autonomous driving development
By Linda Fox | March 24, 2021
    Cruise was acquired by General Motors in 2016, in an agreement that was reported to be worth more than $1 billion. Read More
Leisure travel to lead airline recovery, but demand can’t do it alone
Opinion / Technology
Leisure travel to lead airline recovery, but demand can’t do it alone
By Aditi Mehta - PROS | March 23, 2021
Appealing to travelers will be increasingly important and a digital strategy built around customers and where, how and when they want to engage, will be the key to successfully gaining the loyalty and... Read More
Momenta raises $500M to drive autonomous future
News / Startups
Momenta raises $500M to drive autonomous future
By Linda Fox | March 22, 2021
Momenta is developing technology for autonomous driving for passenger vehicles as well as for fully-autonomous mobility services. Read More
tedd-evers-oped-personalization-data
Opinion / Online
First-party data: The elusive key to travel's recovery
By Tedd Evers - TripTuner | March 22, 2021
As travel resumes, brands need to adopt new tech-enabled listening techniques that don't rely on prior behavior data.     Read More
Is robotics taking over hospitality? Yes and no
Opinion / Technology
Is robotics taking over hospitality? Yes and no
By Chris Connar - Angie Hospitality | March 19, 2021
Robots and automated technology support the current evolution of hospitality, but only when they allow staff to focus on delivering exceptional guest services. Read More
optibus-investment-round
News / Technology
Optibus rings the bell on $107M transportation tech investment
By Kevin May | March 18, 2021
The Series C round, courtesy of Bessemer Venture Partners and Insight Partners, brings the total raised by the Israel-based company to $160 million. Read More
tripscout-seed-plus-funding
News / Startups
Tripscout raises $2.3M to scale its travel planning platform
By Mitra Sorrells | March 17, 2021
The platform provides personalized recommendations to travelers based on content it gathers from articles, videos and tips from local experts. Read More
Airlines turn to traveler intent data to forecast demand
News / Distribution
Airlines turn to traveler intent data to forecast demand
By Linda Fox | March 15, 2021
As restrictions lift and travel recovers, historical booking data can no longer be relied on. Read More
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