Top Travel Tech Weekly News

News / Online

OYO Rooms acquires European rental brand @Leisure Group for €360M

By Kevin May | May 1, 2019

The acquisition marks the first big international investment by India-based OYO and puts it feet first in the Europe marketplace for private accommodation. Read More

amadeus drivers of change in hospitality

News / Online

Welcome to next-generation hospitality: Attribute-based booking, tech-led services and achieving cult status

By Jill Menze | April 30, 2019

According to the new Drivers of Change in Hospitality report, produced by Amadeus in collaboration with InterContinental Hotels Group, Foresight Factory and Cornell University, there are three key... Read More

News / Online

Airbnb will convert commercial properties into luxury rentals

By Mitra Sorrells | April 30, 2019

Airbnb is partnering with New York-based RXR Realty to create 200 luxury rentals in a Midtown Manhattan commercial high-rise. Read More

News / Online

Ctrip controls half of MakeMyTrip shares after swap deal with Naspers

By Kevin May | April 29, 2019

Ctrip gives up 6% of its shares in order to gain a 49% stake in MakeMyTrip, the Indian online travel agency where it's had an interest for over three years. Read More

News / Technology

Middle East, part 4: Aviation innovation

By Mitra Sorrells | April 29, 2019

For the final piece in our monthlong series on the Middle East, we take a look at innovations in the airline sector. Read More

Interview / Online

Sounding Off: A financial downturn could fuel the power of the platforms

By PhocusWire | April 26, 2019

Platforms may continue to dominate but downturns often see the emergence of new players to take on the existing giants at their own game. Read More

Travel recession opinion MMGY Clayton Reid part 2

Opinion / Online

It's time to call it - we are heading for a travel recession, part 2

By Clayton Reid - MMGY Global | April 26, 2019

In part two of his analysis of the economic outlook for travel, MMGY Global CEO Clayton Reid offers advice on how to prepare for a downturn. Read More

JetBlue Tech Ventures Vantage Airport Group partnership

News / Technology

JetBlue Technology Ventures adds airport partner to spur travel innovation

By Mitra Sorrells | April 25, 2019

Vantage Airport Group joins Air New Zealand as the second partner in JetBlue Technology Ventures' international innovation program. Read More

News / Online

Getaround acquires fellow car-share service Drivy for $300M

By Kevin May | April 25, 2019

The acquisition immediately gives Getaround access to six new country markets and will form part of a mission to expand the brand. Read More

News / Technology

Grab expands beyond ride-hailing with new services to become "everyday super app"

By Marissa Trew - WiT | April 24, 2019

Grab is adding four new services for its users in Singapore including hotel bookings through Agoda and Booking.com. Read More

News / Online

Google's Touring Bird plots big expansion of tours and activities service

By Kevin May | April 24, 2019

The massive jump from its official launch number of 20 in September 2018 to 200 this week comes almost a year to the day since the Google Area 120-run search engine was first tested in the open market. Read More

News / Technology

Hotel guests want curated recommendations, amenities - not robot concierges

By Jill Menze | April 24, 2019

According to a new study from ALICE and YouGov, travelers increasingly want recommendations and in-room amenities curated to their liking. Read More

News / Startups

Travel investors talk areas of focus, the right fit and U.S. funding

By Linda Fox | April 23, 2019

Thoughts from travel tech investors at an event in Ireland on what's hot and what they're looking for from startups. Read More

News / Distribution

Hotel cancelation rate at 40% as online travel agencies push free change policy

By Kevin May | April 23, 2019

Key findings from a major study carried out by D-Edge, the Accor-owned hotel technology group that includes the AvailPro and FastBooking platforms. Read More