Editors Pick

Top Travel Tech Weekly News

Amazon quietly introduces flight bookings for users in India
News / Online
Amazon quietly introduces flight bookings for users in India
By Kevin May | May 17, 2019
Perhaps the shape of things to come. The service is currently only for flights within India and is powered by domestic online travel agency, Cleartrip. Read More
VIDEO: Brent Hoberman on the missed chance to buy Booking.com
News / Online
VIDEO: Brent Hoberman on the missed chance to buy Booking.com
By Jill Menze | May 17, 2019
During a pair of interviews at Phocuswright Europe, Brent Hoberman discussed his investment strategy, emerging technologies and much more. Read More
GetYourGuide 484 million series E
News / Distribution
GetYourGuide nabs $484M Series E round; CEO talks growth, Klook
By Mitra Sorrells | May 16, 2019
GetYourGuide will add new markets and inventory funded by $484 million raised in a Series E round lead by Softbank Vision Fund. Read More
VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
News / Online
VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
By Jill Menze | May 16, 2019
Speaking at Phocuswright Europe, Airbnb managing director of EMEA Jeroen Merchiers claimed: “We’re not obsessed with any individual company.” Read More
VIDEO: eDreams Odigeo CEO Dana Dunne on mobile booking, harnessing data
News / Online
VIDEO: eDreams Odigeo CEO Dana Dunne on mobile booking, harnessing data
By Linda Fox | May 16, 2019
Dana Dunne, CEO of eDreams Odigeo, shares thoughts on the company's progress over the past four years as well as the wider industry. Read More
Startup Stage Frontdesk
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Frontdesk manages short-term rentals in urban apartment communities
By Mitra Sorrells | May 14, 2019
 Founded in 2017, Frontdesk develops and manages short-term rental suites around the United States for both business and leisure guests.    Read More
Amazon may not be able to resist the lure of online travel
News / Online
Amazon may not be able to resist the lure of online travel
By Kevin May | May 14, 2019
The e-commerce giant’s widely anticipated but as yet unseen move into the industry could give it a baseline $600 million profit on an annual basis. Read More
Latin America part 2 startups and VC
News / Online
Latin America, part 2: Investors take notice as travel startup activity picks up
By Mitra Sorrells | May 13, 2019
For part two in our series on Latin America, we talk to one of the region's prominent accelerator programs and two entrepreneurs for their takes on the startup ecosystem. Read More
Revenues down at Travelport amid Russian regulator stalling sale
News / Distribution
Revenues down at Travelport amid Russian regulator stalling sale
By Kevin May | May 11, 2019
Travelport's proposed move to return to private ownership has hit a hurdle in the shape of getting approval from the authorities in Russia. Read More
sounding off rock star
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: It's time to knock some leaders off their pedestals
By PhocusWire | May 10, 2019
The travel industry is all about giving people experiences and making their trips smooth and efficient. But that does not mean its leaders should seek to be the center of attention. Read More
Bookings slightly up, revenue slightly down for Booking Holdings in Q1 2019
By Mitra Sorrells | May 9, 2019
Revenue was down but gross bookings were up for Booking Holdings in the first quarter of 2019, including a more than 10% increase in room nights sold. Read More
Airbnb on being smart, technology and standing up for sustainable travel
News / Online
Airbnb on being smart, technology and standing up for sustainable travel
By Linda Fox | May 9, 2019
In Igualada, a small town near Barcelona, Airbnb held its first New Destinations Summit - an event about building sustainable tourism in locations with few hotels. Read More
Google uses car rental booking to demo next phase of voice assistant tech
News / Technology
Google uses car rental booking to demo next phase of voice assistant tech
By Kevin May | May 9, 2019
A fairly significant step up in voice technology was unveiled by Google this week - with car rental featured in an example of how personalization will be used by the assistant. Read More
TripAdvisor sees experiences and restaurant revenue up as investment continues in new areas
News / Distribution
TripAdvisor sees experiences and restaurant revenue up as investment continues in new areas
By Linda Fox | May 8, 2019
TripAdvisor reports a slight decrease in revenue for Q1 2019 while revenue for its experiences and restaurants units is up almost a third. Read More
Amadeus closes in on €1.5B in revenue during Q1 of 2019
News / Distribution
Amadeus closes in on €1.5B in revenue during Q1 of 2019
By Kevin May | May 8, 2019
Amadeus secured revenue of over €1.4 billion in the first quarter of this year, following an increase of 15% over the same period in 2018. EBITDA up by 11%, too. Read More
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