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.

 

Smartvel acquires Avuxi to expand destination content and AI capabilities
News / Technology
Smartvel acquires Avuxi to expand destination content and AI capabilities
By Mileva Sapic | September 17, 2024
Smartvel's acquisition of Avuxi strengthens its existing position in the market and enables it to widen its offering. Read More
Mayfair invests €35M in BizAway
News / Startups
Mayfair invests €35M in BizAway
By Mileva Sapic | September 16, 2024
BizAway plans to implement new AI and data strategies and develop additional products that will help solve the challenges experienced by corporate travelers. Read More
Sabre, Google address challenges in AI implementation 4 years into partnership
News / Technology
Sabre, Google address challenges in AI implementation 4 years into partnership
By Morgan Hines | September 13, 2024
Sabre has taken a deep dive into the AI space with Google as part of a decade-long partnership that began in 2020. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Jeff Kim of Yanolja Cloud
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Jeff Kim of Yanolja Cloud
By Mitra Sorrells | September 13, 2024
Yanolja Cloud is the hotel tech arm of Yanolja, a leading travel app in South Korea, and provides hotel management software, booking engines, inventory distribution systems and more, with operations in... Read More
Guesty launches two additional AI features with new tools for property managers
News / Online
Guesty launches two additional AI features with new tools for property managers
By Mileva Sapic | September 12, 2024
Property management software platform Guesty is adding AI-tools for website creation and review management. Read More
Racing toward tomorrow's travel experience
Opinion / Online
Racing toward tomorrow's travel experience
By Stephanie Meltzer-Paul - Mastercard | September 11, 2024
Stephanie Meltzer-Paul, executive vice president of global loyalty at Mastercard, explores what's possible when the right mix of personalization, loyalty and technology are activated.   Read More
Booking Holdings' new CFO expects connected trip "is really there" in 3 to 5 years
News / Online
Booking Holdings' new CFO expects connected trip "is really there" in 3 to 5 years
By Morgan Hines | September 10, 2024
Ewout Steenbergen, chief financial officer at Bookings Holdings since March, called out the company's work in alternative accommodations and artificial intelligence and strong demand in Asia as key... Read More
Agoda’s human approach to learning and growing with AI
News / Technology
Agoda’s human approach to learning and growing with AI
By D.J. Catron | September 5, 2024
Idan Zalzberg, Agoda’s chief technology officer, details how the company uses technology and especially generative AI in its pursuit to become a virtual “travel companion.” Read More
Tour Amigo raises $2M in seed funding to boost growth
News / Startups
Tour Amigo raises $2M in seed funding to boost growth
By Morgan Hines | September 4, 2024
The B2B SaaS company will use the funding to speed software development and expand into North America, which it views as a key market. Read More
Life House spins out revenue management tech as Diamo
News / Technology
Life House spins out revenue management tech as Diamo
By Linda Fox | September 4, 2024
Diamo is focusing on providing revenue management technology for small independent hotels and will continue to be supported by Life House initially. Read More
Boom launches AI-driven PMS for short-term rentals
News / Technology
Boom launches AI-driven PMS for short-term rentals
By D.J. Catron | September 3, 2024
The platform functions as what Boom calls an “AiPMS” — capable of automating sales, operations, maintenance, review analysis and reputation handling. Read More
Lufthansa seeks startup partnerships, spins out Cosmos platform
News / Startups
Lufthansa seeks startup partnerships, spins out Cosmos platform
By Linda Fox | August 30, 2024
The hub has unveiled “Startup Gate,” a venture clienting platform to connect Lufthansa Group with startups, as part of a strategy to double down on partnerships. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Steve Singh of Spotnana
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Steve Singh of Spotnana
By Linda Fox | August 29, 2024
Steve Singh was announced as CEO of Spotnana in June, adding to his existing roles of executive chairman of Direct Travel, Troop, Spotnana and Center as well as other technology companies. He is also... Read More
Business travel division leads 2X growth for Flight Centre Travel Group
News / Online
Business travel division leads 2X growth for Flight Centre Travel Group
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2024
Flight Centre Travel Group CEO Chris Galanty credited the company's AI Centre of Excellence for "revolutionizing" customer service and empowering agents through automation. Read More
Trip.com's Wei: It's the golden age for product leaders in travel
News / Technology
Trip.com's Wei: It's the golden age for product leaders in travel
By Yeoh Siew Hoon – Web In Travel | August 27, 2024
The founder of Trip.com's TripGenie discusses what makes her AI travel assistant different from others. Read More