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.

 

Dextr AI secures $6.7M for agentic hospitality platform
News / Finance
Dextr AI secures $6.7M for agentic hospitality platform
By Linda Fox | September 29, 2026
The startup provides hotel employees with teams of artificial intelligence (AI) agents covering voice AI, guest management, back office operations, staff management and sales and marketing. Read More
HyperGuest lands $25M investment, plans international growth
News / Finance
HyperGuest lands $25M investment, plans international growth
By Linda Fox | September 29, 2026
The investment comes from Apax Partners, which has previously invested in Guesty and acquired a minority stake in IBS Software. Read More
Startup Stage: FigFinder AI wants to simplify trip planning for travelers and agents
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: FigFinder AI wants to simplify trip planning for travelers and agents
By Abby Crotty | September 28, 2026
FigFinder AI creates personalized trip guides for travelers, while FigFinder Pro helps travel agents turn client inquiries into structured briefs. Read More
As tourism races to adopt AI, the industry must hear workers’ voices
Opinion / Technology
As tourism races to adopt AI, the industry must hear workers’ voices
By Stroma Cole - University of Westminster | September 28, 2026
University of Westminster professor Stroma Cole argues that travel workers deserve say as AI reshapes their jobs. Read More
AIHG secures $7.5M to implement AI-powered hotel management system
News / Finance
AIHG secures $7.5M to implement AI-powered hotel management system
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2026
The investment will go towards further developing AIHG's agentic technology and onboarding its first hotels. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Rail Europe, Perk, TravelAI and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Rail Europe, Perk, TravelAI and more...
By PhocusWire | September 25, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
OpenAI chairman tells travel industry: Do not restrain your AI agents
News / Technology
OpenAI chairman tells travel industry: Do not restrain your AI agents
By Matthew Parsons | September 25, 2026
Bret Taylor, who is also the co-founder of Sierra, urged travel brands to adopt agents to reduce friction, calling agents "remarkable." Read More
Tours and activities pricing startup Aloja raises $1.4M
News / Startups
Tours and activities pricing startup Aloja raises $1.4M
By Abby Crotty | September 24, 2026
The funding will be used for product development, international expansion and to strengthen integrations with reservation systems such as Tripadvisor-owned Bókun. Read More
Expedia to offer hotel bookings through Meta's Muse AI agent
News / Online
Expedia to offer hotel bookings through Meta's Muse AI agent
By Linda Fox | September 24, 2026
The hotel planning and booking service will be available to U.S. travelers first, but a launch date has not been confirmed. Read More
India's travel market stalls in 2025, then bets on a fare-driven rebound
News / Online
India's travel market stalls in 2025, then bets on a fare-driven rebound
By Phocuswright Resesarch | September 24, 2026
Resilient domestic travel will sustain strong demand for accommodation and car rental, and online penetration is on track to reach 62% by 2029, according to Phocuswright data. Read More
Accor unveils conversational AI concierge
News / Technology
Accor unveils conversational AI concierge
By Linda Fox | September 23, 2026
Accor's travel assistant ALL Concierge provides booking through to on-stay assistance and is available on the group's website and app, as well as through WhatsApp and iMessage. Read More
BizTrip AI launches on Claude, ChatGPT
News / Technology
BizTrip AI launches on Claude, ChatGPT
By Abby Crotty | September 23, 2026
BizTrip said the move better positions the company as AI changes how enterprise software reaches end users. Read More
Travel's stolen data problem: Why cybercriminals want booking details
News / Technology
Travel's stolen data problem: Why cybercriminals want booking details
By Marisa Garcia | September 23, 2026
Ordinary customer and business data can become raw material for targeted phishing, impersonation and extortion in travel, and agentic AI may further accelerate attacks. Read More
Cellpoint announces $34M investment, leadership change
News / Finance
Cellpoint announces $34M investment, leadership change
By Linda Fox | September 22, 2026
Cellpoint has also developed an AI decision engine called Zenith for airline and hospitality brands. Read More
Expedia exec on making AI an ambassador in travel
News / Technology
Expedia exec on making AI an ambassador in travel
By Abby Crotty | September 22, 2026
With AI agents becoming gatekeepers, travel brands need to influence them to act as ambassadors instead, according to Expedia's Daniel Shin Un Kang. Read More