Editors Pick

Top Travel Tech Weekly News

Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
News / Online
Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2023
Most important to consumers when booking accommodation online is an easy and secure booking and payment experience, 53%, followed by video and images of rooms and the property, 50%. Read More
World Tourism Day highlights need for sustainable destination strategies
Opinion / Online
World Tourism Day highlights need for sustainable destination strategies
By Richard Black – Sojern | September 25, 2023
Three ways destinations can showcase their commitment to providing sustainable tourism, not only to attract travelers with similar values but to ensure their destination is open for decades to come. Read More
Airbnb announces new system to verify listings
News / Online
Airbnb announces new system to verify listings
By Derek Catron | September 21, 2023
Verified listings will be denoted by an icon starting in February for the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K. and France, with 30 more countries to be added next fall.   Read More
Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
News / Technology
Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2023
Among many other updates to its products and services for both travelers and industry partners, Expedia Group is partnering with travel influencers to offer short-form videos in the Expedia and... Read More
Booking.com dominates review market share but is losing ground to Google
News / Online
Booking.com dominates review market share but is losing ground to Google
By Linda Fox | September 20, 2023
The Shiji Reviewpro Guest Experience Benchmark for Q2 2023 found overall consumer satisfaction with hotels is up but still trails 2019 levels.   Read More
Kayak, Tripadvisor on growing their in-house media studios
News / Online
Kayak, Tripadvisor on growing their in-house media studios
By Morgan Hines | September 19, 2023
In the last two years both Kayak and Tripadvisor have created content studios that are becoming a growing part of their overall businesses and spurring plans for future investment.   Read More
State of startup fundraising: Do you need venture capital?
Opinion / Startups
State of startup fundraising: Do you need venture capital?
By Cara Whitehill – Unlock Advisors | September 18, 2023
During a tough year for travel startups, investor and advisor Cara Whitehill offers insight into multiple routes to fundraising success. Read More
Staples tests travel agents in stores in plan to grow travel services
News / Distribution
Staples tests travel agents in stores in plan to grow travel services
By Mitra Sorrells | September 15, 2023
The office supply retailer has offered TSA PreCheck and passport services for several years and is now talking to travel industry partners about expanding its offerings. Read More
CEO Spotlight - Johannes Thomas of Trivago
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight - Johannes Thomas of Trivago
By Linda Fox | September 14, 2023
PhocusWire talks to Trivago CEO Johannes Thomas about coming back to the metasearch platform, his first 100 days in the role and priorities going forward. Read More
9 months into the GPT Era, what has travel learned?
Opinion / Technology
9 months into the GPT Era, what has travel learned?
By Gilad Berenstein – Brook Bay Capital | September 13, 2023
  Travel tech investor and entrepreneur Gilad Berenstein shares his three main takeaways in the first year of generative AI’s widespread use in travel and other sectors.   Read More
Steve Hafner on why Kayak is going deeper into business travel
News / Online
Steve Hafner on why Kayak is going deeper into business travel
By Mitra Sorrells | September 12, 2023
Kayak has more than 30,000 companies using it's free corporate travel tool for small- and medium-sized businesses and is now going after larger enterprises with a new product developed for PwC. Read More
Travel executive launches new marketplace for adventure travel
News / Startups
Travel executive launches new marketplace for adventure travel
By Derek Catron | September 11, 2023
Headed by Drew Patterson, formerly with Kayak, Jetsetter, Room 77 and Transparent, Thermal is a marketplace for booking unique surfing experiences all around the globe. Read More
Booking will fight any decision to veto Etraveli acquisition in court
News / Online
Booking will fight any decision to veto Etraveli acquisition in court
By Linda Fox | September 8, 2023
Booking Holdings has responded to rumors that European regulators will veto its Etraveli acquisition, saying that decision would be "flawed on both factual and legal grounds." Read More
Report reveals cybersecurity vulnerabilities in hospitality
News / Online
Report reveals cybersecurity vulnerabilities in hospitality
By Morgan Hines | September 7, 2023
Trustwave SpiderLabs reveals that the transition to mobile and contactless services is making the hospitality industry more vulnerable to cyber threats.   Read More
As robotaxis start offering airport transfers, will OTAs be left behind?
News / Online
As robotaxis start offering airport transfers, will OTAs be left behind?
By Alex Bainbridge - Autoura | September 6, 2023
Autonomous vehicles are transforming the transportation sector, potentially disrupting airport transfer services and posing challenges to OTAs. Read More
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