Editors Pick

Top Travel Tech Weekly News

Middle Eastern travel marketers see Amazon as biggest disruption threat
News / Online
Middle Eastern travel marketers see Amazon as biggest disruption threat
By Mitra Sorrells | April 17, 2019
Travel marketers in the Middle East say Amazon has the greatest potential to disrupt travel marketing in the next five years. Read More
Women's Leadership Initiative comes to Phocuswright Europe
News / Online
Women's Leadership Initiative comes to Phocuswright Europe
By Jill Menze | April 16, 2019
Following a successful debut at The Phocuswright Conference in November, the Women’s Leadership Initiative is coming to Amsterdam to kick off Phocuswright Europe on May 14. Read More
OYO strikes first bedbank deal, Hotelbeds gives it 60,000 buying outlets
News / Distribution
OYO strikes first bedbank deal, Hotelbeds gives it 60,000 buying outlets
By Kevin May | April 15, 2019
Hotelbeds has become the first third-party bedbank to sign a distribution deal with India-based OYO Rooms. Read More
From WiT Middle East 2019: Travel brands jostle to find their groove in a booming market
News / Online
From WiT Middle East 2019: Travel brands jostle to find their groove in a booming market
By Siew Hoon Yeoh - WiT | April 15, 2019
A look at the five key takeaways from WiT Middle East conference. Read More
Middle East, part 2: The travel startup scene
News / Startups
Middle East, part 2: The travel startup scene
By Mitra Sorrells | April 15, 2019
For part two in our series on the Middle East we explore the startup ecosystem with input from founders, investors and support programs. Read More
Expedia-AI-ML
News / Technology
How Expedia is using deep learning to improve the hotel booking process
By Linda Fox | April 12, 2019
Expedia Partner Solutions is using deep learning models to improve the hotel booking process for partners and - ultimately - the end consumer. Read More
AI-driven-travel-guide
News / Technology
University stakes claim on first AI-powered travel guide
By Linda Fox | April 12, 2019
The University of Surrey and Open University have created an AI-driven app to enhance a travel guidebook with digital content. Read More
sounding off 11 loyalty
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Loyalty does not belong in the past
By PhocusWire | April 12, 2019
Quote from David Armstrong, CEO of HolidayPirates, in an article on PhocusWire this week on what makes him tick. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
Interview / Distribution
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
By Linda Fox | April 11, 2019
Gomingo aims to bring down commission rates for hotels and other accommodation providers by offering 0% commission to hotels that sign up initially with a promise that they will only reach a maximum of... Read More
GuestReady acquires BnbLord
News / Online
More expansion for GuestReady with acquisition of competitor BnbLord
By Mitra Sorrells | April 11, 2019
European Airbnb property management company GuestReady has grown its property count to 2,000 with the acquisition of BnbLord, a Paris-based competitor. Read More
Travelstart looks to Middle East for growth
Interview / Distribution
Travelstart looks to Middle East for growth
By Siew Hoon Yeoh - WebInTravel | April 10, 2019
With South Africa as its home base and its businesses spread across the African continent, Travelstart believes its roots and experience make it well suited to take on the emerging and fragmented... Read More
Klook boosts Series D with an additional $225M in funding
News / Startups
Klook boosts Series D with an additional $225M in funding
By Linda Fox | April 9, 2019
Tours and activities platform Klook has added $225 million to its Series D, bringing its funding total for the round to $425 million. Read More
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
News / Online
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
By Jill Menze | April 9, 2019
Amid its ongoing rivalry with Airbnb, Booking.com explains how it hopes to differentiate its alternative accommodations product. Read More
flight-centre-upside
News / Technology
Flight Centre Travel Group acquires 25% stake in corporate travel service Upside
By Linda Fox | April 8, 2019
The strategic investment makes Flight Centre the largest individual shareholder in Upside. Read More
Middle East series part 1 overview
News / Online
Middle East, part 1: How a young, digital-savvy population is impacting travel
By Mitra Sorrells | April 8, 2019
In part one in our series on the Middle East, we look at how the region's young and connected consumers are changing the travel landscape. Read More
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