Top Travel Tech Weekly News

News / Technology

Touchless tech: Cruise lines adapt to prepare for a healthy return to sailing

By Mitra Sorrells | September 17, 2020

While cruising remains on hold for many lines, companies are finding news ways to add contactless solutions into the guest experience to minimize risk in the future. Read More

News / Technology

Touchless tech: The simple - and advanced - ways ground transport providers are encouraging travel

By Jill Menze | September 16, 2020

For ground transportation providers, COVID-19 is accelerating the need for both simple touch-free technology as well as more advanced solutions to rebuild traveler confidence and restore revenues. Read More

News / Online

Thomas Cook attempts a comeback, under new ownership and online-only

By Kevin May | September 15, 2020

Thomas Cook will be a digital-only operation, operating as ThomasCook.com, with an emphasis on build-your-own packages to popular destinations around Europe. Read More

News / Distribution

Destinations join forces with private companies to boost tourism

By Linda Fox | September 15, 2020

Travel companies and tourism organizations are devising various initiatives to bring back travelers in recent months. It's not just lip service, but a collaborative effort by all parties. Read More

News / Distribution

VIDEO: New Reality With... Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg of Valerie Wilson Travel

By PhocusWire | September 15, 2020

The next guest on the New Reality With... series is Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-president and owner of Valerie Wilson Travel, one of the U.S.'s leading independent retail travel agencies. Read More

News / Technology

Q&A: How a pandemic has heightened the need for automation in airlines

By Linda Fox | September 14, 2020

Startups offering tech that enables passengers to rebook themselves, as well as gives carriers a better picture of what's happening, already existed - but the pandemic has thrust the need for... Read More

News / Technology

Toyota launches Woven Capital, an $800M investment fund geared toward mobility

By Jill Menze | September 14, 2020

The global investment fund will support growth-stage companies developing technologies and business models in areas including autonomous mobility, automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning,... Read More

Interview / Startups

Sounding Off: For travel startups to survive, they must reduce spend

By PhocusWire | September 11, 2020

Re-examining business models and running skeleton organizations - alongside expectations of ongoing innovation - has made startups grow up faster. Read More

News / Online

Collaboration desperately needed between travel industry players if a recovery is going to be effective

By Kevin May | September 11, 2020

Some "smart initiatives" are being created to get travelers moving again, but not across the board unless there is better sense of partnership created across the industry. Read More

News / Distribution

Delta pauses NDC development, "doubles down" on existing distribution strategy

By Linda Fox | September 10, 2020

As Delta moves away from NDC to focus on its existing infrastructure, Air France-KLM continues its NDC strategy. Read More

Interview / Online

How I Got Here, episode 41 - Nicolas Brusson of BlaBlaCar

By PhocusWire | September 10, 2020

David Litwak of Mozio and PhocusWire's Kevin May discuss the emergence and growth of carpooling platforms with the CEO and co-founder of one of that sector's leading brands, BlaBlaCar. Read More

News / Online

Mondee acquires Rocketrip in bid to grow business travel strategy

By Kevin May | September 9, 2020

The company had raised $32 million in a series of funding rounds since 2013, including a $15 million Series C in 2018 from Google Ventures. Read More

News / Technology

BookingKit secures €5M investment to help accelerate pandemic recovery

By Kevin May | September 9, 2020

The activity platform enlisted the financial support of Intermedia Vermögensverwaltung, Müller Medien, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), business angel Robert Kabs and another business angel with the... Read More

Opinion / Distribution

Change fees are gone, now can we fix the rest of what’s wrong with airline pricing?

By Jeff Klee - AmTrav | September 9, 2020

Delta, United and American airlines have announced they are eliminating change fees, but AmTrav CEO Jeff Klee says there is still much work to be done to fix airline pricing. Read More