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.

 

On-demand webinar: The state of digital transformation in an AI-driven world
Event / Online
On-demand webinar: The state of digital transformation in an AI-driven world
on-demand
Watch this on-demand webinar for 10 insights on AI, personalization, LLM discoverability and loyalty shaping travel and hospitality CX strategy in 2026. On Demand
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
News / Startups
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
By Morgan Hines | June 3, 2026
Mindtrip has signed contracts with two destination marketing organizations: Madeira Promotion Bureau and Norwegian Travel Cluster. Read More
Perk secures $300M in finance for product and technology investment
News / Finance
Perk secures $300M in finance for product and technology investment
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2026
Perk said the new credit facility reflects lender confidence in its "vision and strategy." Read More
Priceline updates Penny AI assistant with Claude
News / Technology
Priceline updates Penny AI assistant with Claude
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2026
Priceline said Claude models will support conversational reasoning and planning for its Penny AI assistant. Read More
OTA marketing spend creeps up despite talk of AI-driven efficiency
News / Finance
OTA marketing spend creeps up despite talk of AI-driven efficiency
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2026
Airbnb, Booking Holdings and Expedia Group upped sales and marketing investment in Q1 2026, with some sharing AI impact and others steering clear. Read More
Pricepoint closes $6.6M seed round led by Brightspark Ventures
News / Finance
Pricepoint closes $6.6M seed round led by Brightspark Ventures
By Cathy Walsh | June 2, 2026
The funding will be used to continue development of the company’s AI-powered revenue management platform for accommodations, including investment in product and engineering. Read More
Web Travel Group acquires hotel rebooking platform Pruvo
News / Finance
Web Travel Group acquires hotel rebooking platform Pruvo
By Cathy Walsh | June 2, 2026
Web Travel Group plans to use Pruvo’s hotel booking optimization technology within its B2B accommodation operations. Read More
Are hotel CEOs overestimating their AI edge?
News / Technology
Are hotel CEOs overestimating their AI edge?
By Matthew Parsons | June 2, 2026
Hotel brands are touting AI as a competitive advantage, but long-term differentiation may hinge on data, execution speed and control over distribution.   Read More
SITA acquires Big Blue Analytics to help airline disruption recovery
News / Technology
SITA acquires Big Blue Analytics to help airline disruption recovery
By Linda Fox | June 1, 2026
Big Blue Analytics' technology works with live airline operations to evaluate the impact of a disruption on aircraft, crew, passengers and maintenance. Read More
Startup Stage: Opally targets hotel communication overload with AI receptionist platform
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Opally targets hotel communication overload with AI receptionist platform
By Cathy Walsh | June 1, 2026
The startup’s AI platform manages hotel guest inquiries across channels, aiming to reduce repetitive communication work for front-desk staff. Read More
The Plaid moment hospitality can't afford to miss
Opinion / Technology
The Plaid moment hospitality can't afford to miss
By Ira Vouk - AI Hospitality Alliance | June 1, 2026
Ira Vouk, founder of AI Hospitality Alliance, argues that OpenAI’s Plaid integration offers a blueprint for AI-era direct hotel distribution and urges hospitality to move quickly to build shared... Read More
Meet the 17 finalists of the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Meet the 17 finalists of the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | May 29, 2026
Finalists will compete in person at Phocuswright Europe, and winners from each region will deliver showcase presentations at WiT Singapore. Read More
Amadeus, Accenture partner on new agentic advertising platform
News / Technology
Amadeus, Accenture partner on new agentic advertising platform
By Matthew Parsons | May 28, 2026
The platform is designed to help travel brands identify intent and demand signals earlier, then leverage Accenture’s agentic framework to execute campaigns. Read More
Tony Fernandes: The art of never saying no and never wasting a crisis
News / Online
Tony Fernandes: The art of never saying no and never wasting a crisis
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | May 28, 2026
AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes reflects on building the airline from a two-plane startup into a regional travel and aviation group, sharing lessons on crisis management, low-cost travel... Read More
New developer challenge offers resort stays, API credits for AI travel agents that can actually book
News / Technology
New developer challenge offers resort stays, API credits for AI travel agents that can actually book
By PhocusWire | May 28, 2026
RouteStack’s 21-day Build Challenge gives developers access to travel inventory, checkout and payouts to test whether AI agents can move from demo to transaction. Read More