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.

 

Trip.com Group unveils AI trip planner
News / Online
Trip.com Group unveils AI trip planner
By Linda Fox | August 28, 2025
During the company's Q2 2025 earnings call, chairman James Liang said AI remains central to strategy, adding that OTAs are "uniquely positioned" to lead the development of travel-focused AI. Read More
Startup Stage: Maison wants to use AI to provide seamless asssitance for guests
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Maison wants to use AI to provide seamless asssitance for guests
By Abby Crotty | August 28, 2025
Maison offers an AI operating system for hotels and hospitality systems, giving guests access to 24/7 customer service via a chatbot. Read More
Have TikTok and Booking.com just ‘nuked’ the travel funnel?
News / Distribution
Have TikTok and Booking.com just ‘nuked’ the travel funnel?
By Morgan Hines | August 28, 2025
Select U.S. users can now book hotel rooms through Booking.com directly on TikTok—and the platform has also launched TikTokGO for creators to earn travel commissions. Read More
How marketers are fusing data science with real traveler behavior
From Our Partners / Online
How marketers are fusing data science with real traveler behavior
By PhocusWire | August 26, 2025
Zartico executives explore how travel marketers can use data science to close the loop between marketing investment and real-world revenue. Read More
Holiwise secures funding for AI agent for premium travel
News / Startups
Holiwise secures funding for AI agent for premium travel
By Linda Fox | August 26, 2025
Holiwise said the funding will go towards accelerating the development of its AI travel agent and dynamic packaging capabilities. Read More
Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2020?
News / Online
Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2020?
By Abby Crotty | August 26, 2025
As part of our Travel Tech Flashback series, we took a look at 2020, otherwise known as the year that changed travel forever. Read More
Will travel's messy data hamper AI progress?
Opinion / Technology
Will travel's messy data hamper AI progress?
By Timothy O'Neil-Dunne | August 25, 2025
Are we layering AI agents on top of an already broken data foundation that was never fit for machine consumption? Read More
Google expands AI Mode to 180 new countries and territories, adds features
News / Technology
Google expands AI Mode to 180 new countries and territories, adds features
By Abby Crotty | August 22, 2025
One of the new features include enhanced options for finding restaurant reservations, local appointments and event tickets. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Agoda, Sabre, Travelport and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Agoda, Sabre, Travelport and more...
By PhocusWire | August 22, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Saudi Arabian vacation rental platform Gathern lands $72 million
News / Online
Saudi Arabian vacation rental platform Gathern lands $72 million
By Abby Crotty | August 21, 2025
Founded in 2017 and based in Riyadh, Gathern said the funding will help increase local and regional expansion. Read More
Addressing rising customer acquisition costs in travel
News / Online
Addressing rising customer acquisition costs in travel
By Abby Crotty | August 21, 2025
According to a survey of approximately 270 respondents across the travel industry, customer acquisition costs were up approximately 35% from 2022 to 2025, while customer lifetime value was up just 4.5%.... Read More
Generative AI platform personalization: At what cost?
News / Technology
Generative AI platform personalization: At what cost?
By Matthew Parsons | August 20, 2025
Travel companies have been striving to obtain specific, personalized data for many years. Are the AI platforms about to gain a competitive edge as they learn more about the users? Read More
Kasa raises $40M to invest in technology, AI
News / Online
Kasa raises $40M to invest in technology, AI
By Morgan Hines | August 19, 2025
Kasa, formerly known as Kasa Living, raised $70 million in Series C funding in 2023. Read More
Get real: The power of combining AI with authentic intelligence
From Our Partners / Technology
Get real: The power of combining AI with authentic intelligence
By Chris Hemmeter - Thayer Investment Partners | August 19, 2025
Chris Hemmeter from Thayer Investment Partners outlines his thoughts on the importance of balancing AI with the core tenets of authentic hospitality.   Read More
Startup Stage: Aloja wants to help tour and activity operators boost earnings
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Aloja wants to help tour and activity operators boost earnings
By Abby Crotty | August 19, 2025
Aloja was founded by CEO Daniel Pino and chief technology officer Daniel Cabra, the team behind TourOpp, which was acquired by RocketRez in 2022. Read More