Editors Pick

Top Travel Tech Weekly News

Corporate travel executives discuss AI hype and efficiency gains
News / Technology
Corporate travel executives discuss AI hype and efficiency gains
By Linda Fox | December 30, 2024
Amex GBT's vice president of AI strategy and the founder of business travel AI startup Otto discuss the rapid pace of development with AI and where the real potential lies. Read More
The move from legacy models to delightful experiences
News / Technology
The move from legacy models to delightful experiences
By Marisa Garcia | December 24, 2024
Executives from Despegar, Meili and Wego discuss the complexity in travel and the hope for AI to solve some of the challenges at The Phocuswright Conference 2024. Read More
Despegar acquired by Naspers-owned Prosus for $1.7B
News / Online
Despegar acquired by Naspers-owned Prosus for $1.7B
By Linda Fox | December 23, 2024
The Dutch company invests in technology companies across multiple verticals and said, with this transaction, it will serve more than 100-million customers in Latin America across travel, e-commerce and... Read More
Tripadvisor to merge with Liberty Tripadvisor in $435M deal
News / Online
Tripadvisor to merge with Liberty Tripadvisor in $435M deal
By Mitra Sorrells | December 19, 2024
The companies announced the merger Thursday morning and the deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025. Read More
Travel's movers, shakers and newsmakers in 2024
News / Online
Travel's movers, shakers and newsmakers in 2024
By PhocusWire | December 18, 2024
These are the trends and topics in travel that have made headlines in 2024 and that we expect to hear more about in 2025. Read More
Hostaway raises $365M for AI, product development and expansion
News / Technology
Hostaway raises $365M for AI, product development and expansion
By Linda Fox | December 17, 2024
The property management technology company has landed the funding from General Atlantic and previous investor PSG at a valuation of $925 million. Read More
Travel industry collaboration needed to reduce friction
News / Technology
Travel industry collaboration needed to reduce friction
By Morgan Hines | December 16, 2024
For the travel industry as a whole, removing friction and leaving customers satisfied is the real goal, according to Decius Valmorbida, president of travel at Amadeus. Read More
Travel M&A activity heating up as experts see readiness in buyers, sellers
News / Startups
Travel M&A activity heating up as experts see readiness in buyers, sellers
By Morgan Hines | December 13, 2024
In comparison to last year, Matt Zito and Min Liu said the travel investment and acquisition environment has been more active, in part due to better macroeconomic conditions.  Read More
Sabre CEO Kurt Ekert talks intermediary opportunity and company growth
News / Distribution
Sabre CEO Kurt Ekert talks intermediary opportunity and company growth
By Mark Frary | December 12, 2024
Sabre CEO and president Kurt Ekert doesn't believe AI is a threat to the global distribution system and can't see the demise of traditional airline distribution any time soon. Read More
Booking expects $450M in savings through "transformation"
News / Online
Booking expects $450M in savings through "transformation"
By Linda Fox | December 11, 2024
Booking Holdings CFO Ewout Steenbergen said the cost savings would help the company grow its top line, reduce complexity and reinvest in growth initiatives. Read More
Steve Singh on evolution from archaic systems to perfect trip
News / Technology
Steve Singh on evolution from archaic systems to perfect trip
By Linda Fox | December 10, 2024
Steve Singh, an investor in Center, Otto, Troop and Spotnana, discusses how AI, cloud technology and open architecture will modernize business travel booking and why he feels "energized" by emerging... Read More
AI agents and the future of online travel agencies
Opinion / Technology
AI agents and the future of online travel agencies
By Christian Watts - Magpie | December 9, 2024
OTAs are the platform play of the travel industry but how will they adapt as AI agents — who aren't influenced by marketing messages and slick site designs — become the norm? Read More
How the hospitality industry can best exploit AI
Opinion / Technology
How the hospitality industry can best exploit AI
By Tim Davis - Pace Dimensions | December 6, 2024
Tim Davis of Pace Dimensions explores how the hospitality industry can take advantage of the technology across a number of front and back office processes. Read More
Airbnb on striving for personalization and reimagining discovery
News / Online
Airbnb on striving for personalization and reimagining discovery
By Linda Fox | December 5, 2024
Dave Stephenson, Airbnb's chief business officer, shares how the company is thinking about AI, early work with ChatGPT and its plan to use customer data to drive personalization. Read More
Garner on the continuing evolution of airline distribution
News / Distribution
Garner on the continuing evolution of airline distribution
By Morgan Hines | December 4, 2024
In a keynote at The Beat Live, Cory Garner explained why airlines' interest in customer loyalty will help to boost their efforts to grow distribution through direct channels.   Read More
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