Top Travel Tech Weekly News

News / Online

Google tests activities search platform with a twist

By Kevin May | April 10, 2018

No need to panic just yet - it's only a test, of course - but Google has quietly built a search engine for tours and activities. Read More

News / Distribution

Experiences and products - not financial rewards - drive customer loyalty for travel brands

By Mitra Sorrells | April 10, 2018

The key to long-term loyalty for travel brands comes from creating memorable experiences based on superior products and personalized service. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb tests eliminating guest fees in new pilot program

By Jill Menze | April 9, 2018

Airbnb is asking select hosts to join a pilot program that removes guest fees from listings. Read More

News / Technology

AI analysis, part 2: Watson's world

By Mitra Sorrells | April 9, 2018

It’s been more than seven years since IBM’s Watson computer entered the spotlight by beating two acclaimed – and human – competitors on the quiz show Jeopardy! Read More

News / Online

Hotels that request guest feedback earn more positive reviews

By Mitra Sorrells | April 9, 2018

Accomodations can improve their online reputation by proactively asking guests to post reviews. Read More

News / Technology

QOTW: Something about the end experience

By PhocusWire | April 6, 2018

Quote from Mike Croucher, chief architect at Travelport, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More

News / Technology

AI analysis, part 1: Travel tech giants

By Mitra Sorrells | April 2, 2018

The ubiquity of artificial intelligence is evident in the fact that the abbreviation “AI” is now a common and recognizable term. Read More

News / Distribution

Air France-KLM inks NDC deals with Amadeus and Travelport

By Mitra Sorrells | March 30, 2018

Amadeus and Air France-KLM have reached an agreement to allow Amadeus customers to access a private channel to receive airline content without paying a surcharge. Two days earlier Travelport announced... Read More

News / Technology

PODCAST: Phocuswire PundIT Show #10

By Kevin May | March 30, 2018

We devote the latest episode of the PundIT Show to all things voice technology, marking the end of our Voice Month. Read More

News / Online

Google's stealth lab tests new travel products

By Kevin May | March 29, 2018

An app focusing on corporate travel services and an additional app for the Local Guides community are in the works at the Google "incubator". Read More

News / Online

The state of influencer marketing for travel brands

By Mitra Sorrells | March 29, 2018

Photos, blog posts and other content shared by social media influencers can be an effective way for brands to communicate with consumers – particularly since surveys have found that between one-third to... Read More

News / Startups

Venture capital investments in travel tech could hit record highs in 2018

By Mitra Sorrells | March 28, 2018

Startups creating solutions to make travel more efficient, frictionless and interconnected received a record amount of venture capital funding in 2017 – at $25.45 billion it was a substantial 32%... Read More

News / Distribution

Hotelbeds offloads destinations services to TUI for €110M

By Kevin May | March 28, 2018

Hotelbeds has ended its interest in providing incoming services to travel agencies by selling its Destination Management division to TUI for €110 million. Read More

News / Online

Nearly half of all airline website traffic comes from bad bots

By Mitra Sorrells | March 27, 2018

Malicious bots steal data and content and wreak havoc on websites, and airlines have the second highest proportion of traffic from these bots according to a new report. Read More