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.

 

Germany sets a travel spending record—sustaining it won’t be simple
News / Online
Germany sets a travel spending record—sustaining it won’t be simple
By Phocuswright Research | June 16, 2026
Phocuswright's Germany Travel Market Essentials 2026 examines the market's growth, structural vulnerabilities, future outlook and more. Read More
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
Opinion / Distribution
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
By Boštjan Koželj | June 16, 2026
Boštjan Koželj argues that hotels risk missing the next wave of AI-driven distribution because many still lack the machine-readable infrastructure needed to compete in emerging channels. Read More
AI won't take your job. It will take away the grind.
From Our Partners / Technology
AI won't take your job. It will take away the grind.
By Juanjo Rodriguez, Lighthouse | June 15, 2026
Hoteliers didn't hire their commercial teams to build reports. They hired them to make the call. Read More
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
By Cathy Walsh | June 15, 2026
Loook is building a GPS-enabled storytelling platform that automatically delivers location-based stories to travelers as they move through destinations, helping tourism organizations extend engagement... Read More
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
News / Technology
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | June 15, 2026
Veltra’s chief transformation officer explains how AI is challenging Japan’s culture of perfection—and why women may be uniquely suited to thrive in the AI era. Read More
Top investors in travel tech 2026
News / Startups
Top investors in travel tech 2026
By Linda Fox | June 15, 2026
PhocusWire has delved into who were the top investors in travel tech 2026 to uncover the startups getting funding and the sectors investors are passing on. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Travelport, Daytrip, Lighthouse and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Travelport, Daytrip, Lighthouse and more...
By PhocusWire | June 12, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
AI is the next productivity shock: Can travel reap the gains?
Opinion / Technology
AI is the next productivity shock: Can travel reap the gains?
By Jamie Lane - AirDNA | June 12, 2026
Jamie Lane, chief economist for AirDNA, explores how AI could reshape travel demand, distribution and industry economics. Read More
Cloudbeds, Journey partner to help independent hotels compete with brand loyalty programs
News / Distribution
Cloudbeds, Journey partner to help independent hotels compete with brand loyalty programs
By Cathy Walsh | June 11, 2026
Journey’s AI-driven loyalty engine will be integrated into the Cloudbeds platform, giving independent properties a new way to incentivize direct bookings. Read More
Webinar: The Rise of Agentic Commerce in Travel
Event / Technology
Webinar: The Rise of Agentic Commerce in Travel
June 11, 2026
In this webinar, PayPal, Sabre and Mindtrip come together to showcase the industry’s first end-to-end agentic travel booking experience.    On Demand
Cendyn launches Wayfinder to help hotels avoid "OTA 2.0"
News / Technology
Cendyn launches Wayfinder to help hotels avoid "OTA 2.0"
By Linda Fox | June 11, 2026
Wayfinder will help hotels gain, measure and boost visibility across AI platforms such as Gemini, ChatGPT and Perplexity. Read More
Travel community reacts as ex-Sonder CEO raises $6M for Odessia
News / Finance
Travel community reacts as ex-Sonder CEO raises $6M for Odessia
By Morgan Hines | June 11, 2026
Some travel industry players were congratulatory, others poked holes in Odessia's model. Read More
Early AI lessons, experiments at Expedia Group
News / Technology
Early AI lessons, experiments at Expedia Group
By Morgan Hines | June 11, 2026
Chief product officer Shilpa Ranganathan discussed Expedia Group’s AI innovation pace, early chatbot missteps and the organizational hurdles of scaling the technology. Read More
Tern launches agentic AI to boost travel advisor efficiency
News / Technology
Tern launches agentic AI to boost travel advisor efficiency
By Cathy Walsh | June 10, 2026
The technology can generate cruise proposals and draft communications for advisor approval. Read More
Hotel distribution pushes beyond traditional channels
News / Distribution
Hotel distribution pushes beyond traditional channels
By Cathy Walsh | June 10, 2026
Industry analysis from Shiji tracks the evolving distribution ecosystem, mapping new categories including AI-driven visibility and direct-booking platforms, map-based commerce and social messaging. Read More