Editors Pick

Top Travel Tech Weekly News

Cutting through the AI noise: Hospitality's next era
News / Technology
Cutting through the AI noise: Hospitality's next era
By Morgan Hines | June 22, 2026
Stakeholders from Aimbridge Hospitality, In2 Consulting, Wyndham and Another Star shared their thoughts on the AI era at HITEC 2026 Read More
Booking.com's James Waters on the human psyche, AI and shiny things
News / Online
Booking.com's James Waters on the human psyche, AI and shiny things
By Linda Fox | June 18, 2026
James Waters, chief business officer of Booking.com, spoke about the ways AI is impacting the travel industry and human behavior during an interview at Phocuswright Europe 2026. Read More
The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
Interview / Online
The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
By Cathy Walsh | June 17, 2026
During an interview at Phocuswright Europe, John Matson of Propellic and Carlo del Mistro of Stiplo explored how generative AI is reshaping travel discovery, brand visibility and competitive dynamics... Read More
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
Opinion / Distribution
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
By Boštjan Koželj | June 16, 2026
Boštjan Koželj argues that hotels risk missing the next wave of AI-driven distribution because many still lack the machine-readable infrastructure needed to compete in emerging channels. Read More
Top investors in travel tech 2026
News / Startups
Top investors in travel tech 2026
By Linda Fox | June 15, 2026
PhocusWire has delved into who were the top investors in travel tech 2026 to uncover the startups getting funding and the sectors investors are passing on. Read More
Early AI lessons, experiments at Expedia Group
News / Technology
Early AI lessons, experiments at Expedia Group
By Morgan Hines | June 11, 2026
Chief product officer Shilpa Ranganathan discussed Expedia Group’s AI innovation pace, early chatbot missteps and the organizational hurdles of scaling the technology. Read More
Hotels face speed problem as video platforms reshape the booking journey
News / Technology
Hotels face speed problem as video platforms reshape the booking journey
By Matthew Parsons | June 10, 2026
Hospitality leaders say legacy operating models are ill-equipped for an era of AI-powered discovery and social commerce. Read More
Where hotel AI ambitions meet structural reality
News / Technology
Where hotel AI ambitions meet structural reality
By Morgan Hines | June 9, 2026
Executives from Choice, Minor and Ascott discuss AI implementation strategies and share how they are navigating existing tech stacks. Read More
OTA moats against AI disruption may be shallower than they appear
Opinion / Technology
OTA moats against AI disruption may be shallower than they appear
By Christian Watts - Magpie | June 8, 2026
Christian Watts, founder and CEO of Magpie, argues that loyalty programs, unique inventory and bundling will offer less protection as travel discovery moves to AI platforms. Read More
Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller says AI won't replace humans
News / Technology
Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller says AI won't replace humans
By Morgan Hines | June 5, 2026
Expedia Group is intent on pursuing AI opportunities, but the company’s chairman has expressed apprehension over the technology. Read More
Architecture, pace, culture: Navigating travel's AI transition
News / Technology
Architecture, pace, culture: Navigating travel's AI transition
By Morgan Hines | June 4, 2026
Executives from Hilton, Air Canada, Marriott and Evolve share what they have learned revamping legacy technology. 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
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
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
Hotels should think beyond their walls for a greater share of the guest's wallet
News / Technology
Hotels should think beyond their walls for a greater share of the guest's wallet
By Linda Fox | May 29, 2026
Hotel industry executives discussed the potential for properties to make more revenue by getting more involved in a guest's whole trip. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026