Top Travel Tech Weekly News

News / Online

Tripadvisor creates virtual destination tour via Amazon Alexa

By Kevin May | January 29, 2021

The idea is that Alexa prompts users to choose their own tour, allowing them to visit over several minutes such attractions as nature spots, landmarks, cultural locations and restaurants. Read More

News / Online

How travel app usage paints another picture of travel's fate in 2020

By Linda Fox | January 28, 2021

Travel apps went quiet as the pandemic hit but there were some notable exceptions such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Read More

News / Technology

StayNTouch appoints industry veteran Tom Underwood as CEO

By Kevin May | January 28, 2021

StayNTouch had originally been sold to Chinese digital giant Shiji Information Technology in September 2018 for an undisclosed fee - but president Trump nixed the deal last year. Read More

News / Online

As short-term rental demand slumps, destination markets prove bright spot

By Jill Menze | January 28, 2021

While overall, short-term rental demand dropped by 15.3% in December 2020, demand trends vary considerably by location type. Read More

News / Online

How travel marketers adjust to the ups and downs of COVID-19

By Mitra Sorrells | January 27, 2021

As coronavirus rates and lockdown measures shift, travel advertising strategies have centered on careful messaging through digital platforms. Read More

News / Distribution

What's next for airline distribution as IATA pushes its retailing vision?

By Linda Fox | January 26, 2021

IATA lays out our three areas of focus in 2021 to get closer to airline retailing. Read More

News / Online

Klook raises $200M round in bid to widen platform to other services

By Kevin May | January 26, 2021

The new round brings the total raised by Hong Kong-based Klook to more than $720 million since the company's launch in 2014. Read More

News / Online

Skyscanner appoints Travix boss John Mangelaars as CEO

By Kevin May | January 22, 2021

He replaces Moshe Rafiah, who was brought in to oversee operations following the departure of CEO Bryan Dove. Read More

News / Online

American Express GBT acquires Ovation Travel Group

By Mitra Sorrells | January 21, 2021

The purchase includes all Ovation Travel Group brands, which will remain in place. Read More

News / Online

TripActions snags additional $155M, valuation now $5B

By Mitra Sorrells | January 21, 2021

TripActions CEO Ariel Cohen says investors came to him toward the end of 2020 due to the company’s “execution in terms of taking market share.” Read More

News / Online

Maps.me lands $50M round, plans mobile wallet

By Linda Fox | January 21, 2021

Maps.me plans to bring decentralized finance for travel purchases to its users following the new funding round. Read More

News / Online

Once upon a time, a cruise ship left the harbor... 366 days in the life of the travel industry

By Mitra Sorrells / Linda Fox | January 20, 2021

As we mark the one-year milestone of COVID's first impact on the travel industry, we review how key sectors have fared and what is one the horizon. Read More