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.

 

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Opinion / Technology
Why travel management companies have a responsibility to drive innovation
By David Thompson - American Express Global Business Travel | March 5, 2019
Business travel should be the most fertile ground for innovation in the traveler experience. However, the industry must first be willing to drive change rather than passively react to it. Read More
AirAsia launches venture capital fund to grow startup base in Southeast Asia
News / Online
AirAsia launches venture capital fund to grow startup base in Southeast Asia
By Jill Menze | March 5, 2019
The low-cost carrier’s venture arm, RedBeat Ventures, is establishing the VC fund - dubbed RedBeat Capital - alongside a strategic partnership with San Francisco-based startup accelerator and venture... Read More
Sabre brings a dose of reality to artificial intelligence
News / Technology
Sabre brings a dose of reality to artificial intelligence
By Linda Fox | February 27, 2019
Sabre's chief scientist says AI can solve very specific problems but is at its very early stages. Read More
Do not disturb: Not all hotel guests want Amazon's Alexa as a roommate
News / Technology
Do not disturb: Not all hotel guests want Amazon's Alexa as a roommate
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | February 27, 2019
Maybe this won't surprise anyone, but it turns out that some hotel guests are not happy about having listening devices in their rooms, even if the device in question is there to help them. Read More
Chinese web giants come together to make travel "smarter"
News / Technology
Chinese web giants come together to make travel "smarter"
By Kevin May | February 19, 2019
Two of China's biggest digital brands - Baidu and Ctrip - are collaborating in a bid to develop "intelligent tourism" in the country. Read More
Sounding Off: China is treading a path of ideas for others to follow
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: China is treading a path of ideas for others to follow
By PhocusWire | February 8, 2019
Hardware and software providers may have been inspired in part by some of their counterparts in the West but China is arguably at the bleeding edge of pulling it all together for the sake of the user. Read More
In The Big Chair - Kevin King of Shiji
Interview / Technology
In The Big Chair - Kevin King of Shiji
By Mitra Sorrells | February 7, 2019
Founded in 1998, Shiji Information Technology Company provides software solutions and services for the hospitality, food service, retail and entertainment industries, ranging from hotel management... Read More
What should the travel industry understand about China in the Year of the Pig?
News / Online
What should the travel industry understand about China in the Year of the Pig?
By Kieron Branagan - OpenJaw Technologies | February 5, 2019
Take a deeper look at what’s going on away from the geopolitical headlines, and marketers will understand how trends in China are going to eventually affect us all. Read More
Google tells hotels to think of smart devices as extra organs of a guest's body
News / Technology
Google tells hotels to think of smart devices as extra organs of a guest's body
By Hollis Thomases - Phocuswright | February 4, 2019
The search giant says the proliferation of devices has created rapid, cultural shifts and changed the way people expect things from their brands... making people more curious, demanding and... Read More
Zingle hospitality messaging 11M funding
News / Technology
Zingle charts deeper push into hospitality with $11M capital raise
By Mitra Sorrells | February 1, 2019
B2C messaging platform Zingle has landed $11 million in new funding to support its growth in hospitality. Read More
A new era of personalization - for both travelers and suppliers
Opinion / Technology
A new era of personalization - for both travelers and suppliers
By Benoit Jolin - Expedia Group | January 29, 2019
The travel industry is entering an age of both traveler and supplier personalization - leveraging high-tech to deliver high-touch experiences. Read More
Busting a billion-dollar digital myth for cruise lines
From Our Partners / Technology
Busting a billion-dollar digital myth for cruise lines
By Apurva Chamaria - RateGain | January 28, 2019
Major cruise lines are undergoing unprecedented digital transformation, committing billions of dollars to the process. The same rules do not apply to every digital journey, so how can cruise lines win... Read More
Airline distribution in 2030, part 2: Four scenarios for the future
Opinion / Distribution
Airline distribution in 2030, part 2: Four scenarios for the future
By Mario Gavira | January 25, 2019
Who wins - the tech giants, existing intermediaries, airlines, lawmakers or something else? Four possible patterns are analyzed here in part two. Read More
Consumers want companionship - but not from humans - while traveling
News / Technology
Consumers want companionship - but not from humans - while traveling
By Jill Menze | January 25, 2019
According to a new study from Sabre, a desire to avoid humans, virtual companions and new points-of-sale are among the consumer trends shaping the hospitality industry this year. Read More
Lufthansa invests alongside Hopper, plotting collaboration on artificial intelligence-led tools
News / Technology
Lufthansa invests alongside Hopper, plotting collaboration on artificial intelligence-led tools
By Kevin May | January 23, 2019
A "multimillion-dollar" deal will include a research collaboration and help spearhead the Canada-based price prediction platform's expansion into Europe. Read More
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