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.

 

entrada-insights-road-trip
News / Startups
With trade shows cancelled, travel tech startup takes its show on the road - literally
By Mitra Sorrells | June 16, 2020
With all industry trade shows cancelled, the founder of travel tech startup Entrada Insights is embarking on a cross-country road trip to meet potential clients. Read More
Startups join forces to create digital services platform for rental accommodation and hotels
News / Startups
Startups join forces to create digital services platform for rental accommodation and hotels
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2020
SmartDigitalPlug was created by six startups to help small hotels and rental properties to digitize their services and address some of the current safety and hygiene challenges. Read More
Didi gets $500M from SoftBank to develop autonomous driving technology
News / Technology
Didi gets $500M from SoftBank to develop autonomous driving technology
By Kevin May | May 30, 2020
Didi claims it is the single largest fundraising round in China for the autonomous vehicle industry. To-date Didi has raised $21.7 billion. Read More
immunity-passport-privacy
Opinion
Immunity passport debate shows we need a trusted guardian for digital identities
By Andersen Cheng - Nomidio | May 18, 2020
The global response to COVID-19 has sparked intense debate about the balance between protection and privacy. Should privacy be sacrificed in order to slow transmission of the virus? Read More
Travelers may need to prepare for a contactless, surveillance-led experience
Opinion / Technology
Travelers may need to prepare for a contactless, surveillance-led experience
By Simon Nowroz - Disruptive X Emergent | May 15, 2020
While we can’t conclude exactly what the future may hold, we can establish an overall trajectory and an overarching narrative that we refer to as a theme. Travel's future is a very different one. Read More
How airports are considering ways to reduce human contact
News / Technology
How airports are considering ways to reduce human contact
By Dawit Habtemariam - BTN | May 13, 2020
Airports are considering how to prepare for a post-COVID-19 air travel environment in order to protect and reassure a public wary of flying. Read More
Destination X - Using the new normal to limit visitors and manage overtourism
News / Technology
Destination X - Using the new normal to limit visitors and manage overtourism
By PhocusWire | May 5, 2020
Aside from reduced pollution and car accidents, the crisis brought on by COVID-19 may offer an opportunity to make some much needed (and politically difficult) changes to tourism policies. Read More
How aviation should plan for a different sector to emerge post-coronavirus
News / Distribution
How aviation should plan for a different sector to emerge post-coronavirus
By Linda Fox | April 30, 2020
No one can safely predict how long it will take for the industry to bounce back, but aviation experts are hoping for a return to 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels in two to three years.  Read More
Coronavirus is reshaping the airport experience of the future, part 2
Opinion / Technology
Coronavirus is reshaping the airport experience of the future, part 2
By Omar Abou Faraj - Dubz | April 30, 2020
The envisioned airport of the future would leverage intelligent operational and passenger technologies, along with innovation in AI, bio-metrics and mobility. Read More
Coronavirus is reshaping the airport experience of the future, part 1
Opinion / Technology
Coronavirus is reshaping the airport experience of the future, part 1
By Omar Abou Faraj - Dubz | April 28, 2020
Airport technology and new customer interfaces can play a huge role in making the industry more resilient during a pandemic crisis, not to mention bringing in massive and sustainable operational and... Read More
How AI can save airline customer service teams in times of crisis
Opinion / Technology
How AI can save airline customer service teams in times of crisis
By Puneet Mehta - Netomi | April 20, 2020
As airlines deal with high volumes of customer service requests due to the coronavirus, artificial intelligence can help them improve customer and agent satisfaction. Read More
InPhocus, episode 6 - Being smart is all we have at the moment
News / Distribution
InPhocus, episode 6 - Being smart is all we have at the moment
By PhocusWire | April 16, 2020
Forecasting with smart data, a future role for hotels and intermediaries, loyalty programs and what lies next for Airbnb - hefty subjects during any time period but especially so during the coronavirus... Read More
Eddy Travels tops up pre-seed funding with €600,000
News / Startups
Eddy Travels tops up pre-seed funding with €600,000
By Linda Fox | April 8, 2020
The investment was led by Practical Capital, with Open Circle Capital, Techstars Toronto and angel investors also participating. Read More
hotelmize series b
News / Technology
Hotelmize raises Series B funding from Alibaba, establishes APAC headquarters in Hong Kong
By Steven Lerner | April 2, 2020
 Hotelmize is aiming to gain a foothold in Asia Pacific and to expand operations in the region following a new capital raise. Read More
Corporate travel on the front line of global incidents
News / Online
Corporate travel on the front line of global incidents
By Linda Fox | March 18, 2020
The corporate travel industry has to deal with an increasing volume of incidents related to weather, terrorism - and now health - that impact travel. Read More