Top Travel Tech Weekly News

News / Online

Airbnb rebrands top tier to Airbnb Luxe, adds dedicated concierge services

By Mitra Sorrells | June 25, 2019

Airbnb is renaming its luxury tier of properties as Airbnb Luxe and is providing a dedicated concierge with each booking. Read More

News / Technology

A tale of two airlines battling disruption with technology

By Linda Fox | June 25, 2019

The cost of disruption to airlines is around 8% of revenue, or $60 billion to the industry, every year. Little wonder then they turning to technology to address disruption from weather events to... Read More

mark-okerstrom-expedia-group-direct-bookings

News / Online

Expedia CEO Mark Okerstrom: “War over the best booking experience is almost over”

By Jill Menze | June 25, 2019

Speaking at Expedia Group's first Research Summit, Mark Okerstrom said the next "vector of innovation" happens after bookings are made. Read More

News / Technology

Travel payments, part 4: Hopes and hurdles for startups

By Mitra Sorrells | June 24, 2019

In part four of our payments month them we talk to investors and entrepreneurs about the challenges and opportunities for startups in this space. Read More

From Our Partners / Online

Conversational commerce and the travel industry: it’s time to say hello

By Messenger Business | June 24, 2019

Immediate. Personal. Conversational. Mobile messaging has long been the preferred way for people to connect with friends and family. Now it’s transforming communications between travel businesses and... Read More

From Our Partners / Technology

REPORT: How mobility as a service is bringing rail to the forefront

By PhocusWire | June 24, 2019

Rail may not have moved as quickly into the digital age as other segments of travel but now is the time to capitalize on some of the early initiatives. Read More

News / Startups

Duffel raises $21.5M for yet-to-launch distribution platform

By Jill Menze | June 21, 2019

Benchmark, which has invested in companies including Uber, Twitter and Snap, led the Series A round, with participation from Blossom Capital and Index Ventures, which participated in Duffel’s $4.7... Read More

Interview / Technology

Sounding Off: Not all emerging tech is created equal

By PhocusWire | June 21, 2019

Technology can be exciting and the user experience pretty good. And brands should be applauded for dabbling with interesting new consumer interfaces to see what works. But there is a "but"... Read More

News / Online

Hopper ramps up hotel booking with global private rates and price tracking

By Kevin May | June 20, 2019

Eighteen months on from its initial launch, Hopper is applying some of the secret sauce learned from flights to its hotel search and booking service. Read More

News / Technology

Expedia’s Arthur Chapin on emerging tech: The good, the bad… and the blockchain

By Jill Menze | June 20, 2019

You’ve heard it once, and you’ll hear again how things like blockchain and Amazon’s Alexa are disrupting the travel industry. But when does the talk turn from promise and buzz to practical... Read More

News / Online

Hotels need to embark on a new chapter - the digital one already written by Amazon

By Mitra Sorrells | June 19, 2019

Hotels can fend off threats from outside by adopting a retailing mindset and using tech that supports their model, rather than relying on outdated property management systems. Read More

Interview / Technology

In The Big Chair LIVE - Mat Orrego of Cornerstone

By Kevin May | June 18, 2019

Alongside running CIS since 1992, Orrego is an active supporter of the travel startup world through his work with RunUp Labs and as a regular and vocal judge at pitch competitions. Read More

News / Technology

RateGain acquires social and guest engagement platform BCV

By Kevin May | June 17, 2019

A mid-range, double-digit millions figure is believed to have been paid for 24/7 social media monitoring, reputation management, analytics and content marketing business. Read More

News / Online

Mary Meeker's annual report: Growing giants, next-gen data and super apps

By Linda Fox | June 17, 2019

Many in the digital and wider industrial world await Mary Meeker’s annual trends report with anticipation for what can be expected for their sector. We look at the travel-related elements. Read More