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.

News / Startups

Startup travel planner Layla acquires AI-itinerary builder Roam Around

By Mitra Sorrells | February 12, 2024

Roam Around founder Shie Gabbai is now chief operating officer at Layla, a startup that launched last fall with backing from travel veterans Andy Phillipps, Barry Smith and Brent Hoberman. Read More

Opinion / Startups

Jeff Katz on Journera’s shutdown and why a connected trip still matters

By Jeff Katz - Journera | February 12, 2024

Jeff Katz shares his lessons from trying to build Journera and why he still believes in the need for the industry to break down silos in a traveler’s journey. Read More

News / Online

Car-sharing marketplace Getaround announces restructure

By Morgan Hines | February 9, 2024

Getaround announced workplace reductions impacting almost 30% of the company’s North American staff. Read More

News / Startups

Jeff Katz is shutting down Journera, his startup that tried to create a connected trip

By Mitra Sorrells | February 8, 2024

The founder of Orbitz created Journera in 2016 with the goal of creating a secure, real-time data exchange for creating more seamless travel journeys. Read More

News / Startups

Travel startup Nicer raises $2M to bring AI to travel advisors

By Mitra Sorrells | February 8, 2024

The startup launched last year and has several prominent advisors, including Microsoft's Shane O'Flaherty and Brook Bay Capital founder Gilad Berenstein. Read More

News / Technology

Airline tech bosses prioritize artificial intelligence investment

By Linda Fox | February 7, 2024

Airline technology spend has been increasing since 2020 and was expected to hit approximately $35 billion in 2023, up from 2022’s figure of $30 billion, according to the SITA Air Transport IT 2023... Read More

News / Technology

Travel early adopters share lessons after year with generative AI

By Derek Catron | February 7, 2024

PhocusWire is checking in with some of travel's early adopters in using generative artificial intelligence, beginning with three startups, to find out what they have learned from their first year of... Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: Triplay uses AI to create personalized travel itineraries

By Mitra Sorrells | February 6, 2024

Triplay, launched in August 2023, uses algorithms to optimize suggested routes based on geodata, enabling travelers to save time while visiting as many locations as possible. Read More

News / Technology

Trip.com Group creates travel app for Apple Vision Pro

By Morgan Hines | February 5, 2024

Trip.com Group's Trip.Vision app is intended to bring realistic destination experiences to users at home - enabling them to to virtually explore places including Antarctica, the Maldives, Mount Everest... Read More

News / Technology

Phocuswright’s 2024 guide to travel innovation and tech

By Phocuswright Research | February 5, 2024

The Phocuswright report from a team of researchers looks at the most significant innovation trends in travel technology and distribution for 2024 and beyond. Read More

News / Online

Former BWH Hotel Group CEO David Kong on going beyond the “D” in DEI

By Mitra Sorrells | February 5, 2024

Since retiring after 17 years as CEO of BWH Hotel Group, David Kong has been focused on inspiring success among future leaders. We talked to him about that effort as well as his thoughts on how the... Read More

News / Technology

Google Maps tests generative AI-driven discovery feature

By Linda Fox | February 2, 2024

Using large language models, the new feature analyzes the over 250 million locations on Google Maps and contributions from over 300 million Local Guides to pull up suggestions based on what the user is... Read More

News / Online

Q&A: Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy

By Mitra Sorrells | February 2, 2024

Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy explains how the company is using facial recognition and generative AI technology and also the strategy behind its marketing efforts – including a widely... Read More

News / Startups

CitySwift receives €7 million in funding

By Morgan Hines | February 1, 2024

The funding was led by Gresham House Ventures. The round was backed by existing investors Irelandia Aviation, Western Development Commission, Act Venture Capital and Mike McGearty. Read More

News / Startups

Joyned receives $8M in funding

By Morgan Hines | January 31, 2024

Joyned enables online travel agencies, hotels and other booking sites to offer group travel planning and booking on their websites, to create a seamless and collaborative booking process. Read More

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