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.

 

Booking Holdings launches Vayo AI travel agent, plans $100M investment
News / Startups
Booking Holdings launches Vayo AI travel agent, plans $100M investment
By Abby Crotty | October 14, 2026
Vayo organizes travel bookings from users’ inboxes and monitors trips for savings and disruptions, including reservations made outside Booking Holdings’ brands. Read More
Hotel adoption of general-purpose AI tools outpaces specialized solutions
News / Technology
Hotel adoption of general-purpose AI tools outpaces specialized solutions
By Cathy Walsh | October 14, 2026
A Destination AI survey of hotel leaders explores how hoteliers are using AI, where they are seeing results and the challenges of measuring returns. Read More
Flae Robotics secures €1M to bring AI hospitality agent to more hotels
News / Technology
Flae Robotics secures €1M to bring AI hospitality agent to more hotels
By Linda Fox | October 13, 2026
Flae expanded into Germany and Austria earlier this year following its launch in the U.K. in September 2025. Read More
How airlines are solving disruption in the AI era
News / Technology
How airlines are solving disruption in the AI era
By Matthew Walker - Plan3 | October 13, 2026
According to Matthew Walker, head of research and marketing at Plan3, the AI revolution is likely to evolve one use case at a time in the highly regulated airline industry. Read More
Startup Stage: TravelSnap.AI turns guest video reviews into booking opportunities
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: TravelSnap.AI turns guest video reviews into booking opportunities
By Cathy Walsh | October 12, 2026
 The platform uses AI to collect, translate and publish guest video reviews to help travel businesses increase their visibility in AI search and drive bookings.  Read More
Where are they now? Checking in with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2023
News / Startups
Where are they now? Checking in with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2023
By PhocusWire | October 12, 2026
We circled back with our Hot 25 cohort from 2023, asking about their highlights from this year and where they're seeing AI having an impact. Read More
ATPCO tackles challenge of matching AI travel requests to airline products
News / Technology
ATPCO tackles challenge of matching AI travel requests to airline products
By Cathy Walsh | October 9, 2026
A two-week proof of concept tested how structured airline data could help turn conversational travel requests into more specific shopping results. Read More
PhocusWire travel tech news briefs: Hilton, Mews, PriceLabs and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire travel tech news briefs: Hilton, Mews, PriceLabs and more...
By PhocusWire | October 9, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
PhocusWire article withdrawn following editorial review
News / Distribution
PhocusWire article withdrawn following editorial review
By Matthew Parsons | October 9, 2026
Article withdrawn following editorial review. Read More
Duetto acquires FLYR Hospitality to boost AI capabilities
News / Technology
Duetto acquires FLYR Hospitality to boost AI capabilities
By Linda Fox | October 8, 2026
The acquisition adds FLYR Hospitality’s AI-driven revenue strategy platform to Duetto’s revenue and profit operating system. Read More
BA-parent IAG applies a 3-question test for AI automation
News / Technology
BA-parent IAG applies a 3-question test for AI automation
By Linda Fox | October 8, 2026
IAG has a federal approach to AI but with risk committees at each airline and a 10-point AI policy in place. Read More
Trust, identity and payments: Preparing for agentic commerce in travel
From Our Partners / Technology
Trust, identity and payments: Preparing for agentic commerce in travel
By Michelle Bruno | October 8, 2026
As AI agents move closer to booking travel, merchants need trusted identity, secure payments and flexible commerce infrastructure to prepare for agentic commerce. Read More
AI transformation in travel: Carsten Bernhard of eDreams Odigeo
News / Technology
AI transformation in travel: Carsten Bernhard of eDreams Odigeo
By Abby Crotty | October 8, 2026
EDreams Odigeo CTO Carsten Bernhard sat down with PhocusWire to discuss AI innovation as part of the ongoing AI Transformation in Travel series. Read More
Southwest launches ChatGPT plugin for flight search
News / Technology
Southwest launches ChatGPT plugin for flight search
By Cathy Walsh | October 7, 2026
The plugin lets travelers shop for flights and compare fares in ChatGPT before being redirected to Southwest.com to complete the booking. Read More
Dfinitiv unveils travel loyalty experiences platform for AI assistants
News / Technology
Dfinitiv unveils travel loyalty experiences platform for AI assistants
By Linda Fox | October 7, 2026
Dfinitiv's loyalty program platform aims to help travel brands drive engagement and increase revenue opportunities. Read More