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.

 

Research suggests tours are the most prepared for AI search
News / Technology
Research suggests tours are the most prepared for AI search
By Abby Crotty | July 21, 2026
An audit performed by Obvlo found that only 23 out of 100 travel brands were AI ready. Read More
Booking Holdings' 'connected trip' vision never materialized, and AI is the latest threat
Opinion / Online
Booking Holdings' 'connected trip' vision never materialized, and AI is the latest threat
By Mario Gavira | July 21, 2026
According to Mario Gavira, the AI wave is increasing pressure on the OTA to deliver the connected trip. Read More
30 Sundays lands $6.7M for AI travel planning service
News / Startups
30 Sundays lands $6.7M for AI travel planning service
By Linda Fox | July 20, 2026
India-based 30 Sundays is an AI-driven journey planner, offering users a video-based itinerary that they can change through a conversational interface.  Read More
Startup Stage: Chaty wants to help tour and activity operators manage inbound calls
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Chaty wants to help tour and activity operators manage inbound calls
By Abby Crotty | July 20, 2026
The AI-powered phone receptionist offers a flexible pricing model, allowing tour operators to reduce spend in quieter months. Read More
AI risk to OTAs is margin squeeze, not disintermediation
News / Online
AI risk to OTAs is margin squeeze, not disintermediation
By Linda Fox | July 17, 2026
The risk of OTAs being disintermediated by AI might have been exaggerated as pressure on margin is perhaps the more likely outcome, according to investment bank BTIG. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Expedia Group, Apaleo, Klook and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Expedia Group, Apaleo, Klook and more...
By PhocusWire | July 17, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Travel startup investors look beyond AI hype
News / Startups
Travel startup investors look beyond AI hype
By Abby Crotty | July 17, 2026
In the challenging funding environment, travel startups are demonstrating differentiation and value to attract investors. Read More
Fora lands $60M to scale AI assistant for travel advisors
News / Startups
Fora lands $60M to scale AI assistant for travel advisors
By Linda Fox | July 16, 2026
Fora is looking to scale is AI assistant, Via, which is currently in beta with a number of its top advisors. Read More
Perk launches MCP connector as part of push to eliminate ‘shadow work’
News / Technology
Perk launches MCP connector as part of push to eliminate ‘shadow work’
By Abby Crotty | July 15, 2026
Perk chief product officer Nikita Miller outlined the company's approach to AI and automation at Phocuswright Europe. Read More
Split payments and the future of checkout in travel
News / Technology
Split payments and the future of checkout in travel
By Abby Crotty | July 15, 2026
Samuel Flynn, co-founder of Hands In, outlines use cases for split payments and how he anticipates people will purchase travel in the future. Read More
Can AI ease the pain of flight delays? The FAA says yes, and soon
News / Technology
Can AI ease the pain of flight delays? The FAA says yes, and soon
By Robert Silk - Travel Weekly | July 14, 2026
The FAA is promising that a pair of AI-supported solutions will mitigate delays in the next couple of years. Analysts caution it might be overly optimistic. Read More
APAC hotel distribution sees slower growth as regional OTAs rise
News / Distribution
APAC hotel distribution sees slower growth as regional OTAs rise
By WiT | July 14, 2026
D-Edge's recent analysis shows booking growth cooling to 2.7%, Agoda pulling ahead of Booking.com and wholesalers more than tripling their market share in three years.   Read More
AI is pushing travel advisors toward their next evolution
News / Technology
AI is pushing travel advisors toward their next evolution
By Cathy Walsh | July 14, 2026
AI is automating administrative work and accelerating research, but its biggest impact may be giving travel advisors more time to deliver the expertise, relationships and personalized service travelers... Read More
Hospitality’s agentic AI challenge is moving from creation to management
Opinion / Technology
Hospitality’s agentic AI challenge is moving from creation to management
By Cole Rubin - Conduit | July 13, 2026
Conduit CEO Cole Rubin outlines the next steps for hospitality operators as AI agents assume more responsibility. Read More
Startup Stage: Seatlr wants to connect travelers going to the same city
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Seatlr wants to connect travelers going to the same city
By Abby Crotty | July 13, 2026
The Seatlr app connects travelers using flight numbers and offers AI translation for 59 languages. Read More