Editors Pick

Top Travel Tech Weekly News

MCP vs. NDC and other challenges facing airline distribution
News / Distribution
MCP vs. NDC and other challenges facing airline distribution
By Linda Fox | March 17, 2026
Airline, intermediary and travel technology executives shared thoughts on NDC, evolution with orders and the impact of AI at UATP's Airline Distribution 2026 conference. Read More
AI's potential to drive digitalization in tours and activities
News / Technology
AI's potential to drive digitalization in tours and activities
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2026
During a session at ITB Berlin, executives from Civitatis, Expedia Group and Nezasa discussed where AI could have the most impact on tours and activities. Read More
Airbnb CSO on hotels, AI, nature travel and what's next for the industry
News / Online
Airbnb CSO on hotels, AI, nature travel and what's next for the industry
By Abby Crotty | March 13, 2026
Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb co-founder and chief strategy officer, sat down with Phocuswright's Mitra Sorrells at ITB Berlin to discuss the next era of travel. Read More
Short-term rental sector bets on AI search to drive direct bookings
News / Technology
Short-term rental sector bets on AI search to drive direct bookings
By Matthew Parsons | March 12, 2026
Direct rental bookings are modest today, but AI could help change that. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Caecilia Chu of YouTrip
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Caecilia Chu of YouTrip
By Abby Crotty | March 11, 2026
Caecilia Chu has been leading YouTrip since co-founding the company in 2018, describing the travel payments specialist as her "life's mission."   Read More
OpenAI’s shift shows travel is too complex for quick-fix distribution
News / Technology
OpenAI’s shift shows travel is too complex for quick-fix distribution
By Morgan Hines | March 10, 2026
According to a report from The Information, OpenAI has moved purchasing to ChatGPT apps. Read More
AI-driven pricing and operations deliver measurable hotel gains
News / Technology
AI-driven pricing and operations deliver measurable hotel gains
By Cathy Walsh | March 9, 2026
Early adopters report improvements in areas including revenue, efficiency and resource management. Read More
Agentic AI in travel: Technology readiness and consumer trust
News / Technology
Agentic AI in travel: Technology readiness and consumer trust
By Linda Fox | March 6, 2026
Executives from Booking.com, Google, Sabre and Skyscanner discuss the challenges for the travel industry in adopting agentic AI. Read More
APAC travel trends pt. 2: AI, loyalty ecosystems and the experiences boom
News / Technology
APAC travel trends pt. 2: AI, loyalty ecosystems and the experiences boom
By Abby Crotty | March 5, 2026
The second part of our APAC travel trend series focuses on loyalty, experiences and technology's role in the "digital-first" region. Read More
APAC travel trends pt. 1: Traveler behavior, growing markets and what's coming next
News / Online
APAC travel trends pt. 1: Traveler behavior, growing markets and what's coming next
By Abby Crotty | March 4, 2026
In part one of a two-part feature, PhocusWire takes a deep dive into the current travel trends defining APAC and what the landscape may look like moving forward. Read More
Consolidation, AI and the race to own the A-to-B journey in ground transport
News / Online
Consolidation, AI and the race to own the A-to-B journey in ground transport
By Mark Frary | March 3, 2026
The sector has been active in recent years, with players like BlaBlarCar, Flix, Rome2Rio and Travelier all making moves to adapt to a changing market. Read More
Hotel software: An unlikely winner in the AI reset
Opinion / Technology
Hotel software: An unlikely winner in the AI reset
By Jordan Hollander - HotelTechReport.com | March 2, 2026
HotelTechReport.com co-founder Jordan Hollander challenges industry concerns about AI's effect on applications, outlining what sets hotel software apart. Read More
OTAs' marketing spend exceeded $20B in 2025
News / Online
OTAs' marketing spend exceeded $20B in 2025
By Linda Fox | February 27, 2026
Marketing investment from the largest online travel players rose again last year. Read More
AI is changing travel companies’ hiring mindset
News / Technology
AI is changing travel companies’ hiring mindset
By Morgan Hines | February 25, 2026
Travel industry stakeholders weigh in on how AI is changing hiring thought processes. Read More
‘Something out of nothing’: How hotel ancillary tech is transforming the stay experience
News / Technology
‘Something out of nothing’: How hotel ancillary tech is transforming the stay experience
By Matthew Parsons | February 24, 2026
As pressure mounts to increase revenue and average daily rates hit a ceiling, hotels are branching out into ancillaries.  Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026