Interviews

The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
Interview / Online
The new rules of travel discovery in the age of AI
By Cathy Walsh | June 17, 2026
During an interview at Phocuswright Europe, John Matson of Propellic and Carlo del Mistro of Stiplo explored how generative AI is reshaping travel discovery, brand visibility and competitive dynamics across the industry.... Read More
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
By Cathy Walsh | June 15, 2026
Loook is building a GPS-enabled storytelling platform that automatically delivers location-based stories to travelers as they move through destinations, helping tourism organizations extend engagement beyond traditional attractions.... Read More
Startup Stage: Bliink targets Southeast Asia's SME business travel market
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Bliink targets Southeast Asia's SME business travel market
By Cathy Walsh | June 8, 2026
The startup is building an AI-powered corporate travel platform designed to bring managed travel services to small and medium-sized enterprises across Southeast Asia.... Read More
Startup Stage: Opally targets hotel communication overload with AI receptionist platform
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Opally targets hotel communication overload with AI receptionist platform
By Cathy Walsh | June 1, 2026
The startup’s AI platform manages hotel guest inquiries across channels, aiming to reduce repetitive communication work for front-desk staff.... Read More
Startup Stage: TravelOne targets luxury travel with behavior profiling platform
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: TravelOne targets luxury travel with behavior profiling platform
By Cathy Walsh | May 26, 2026
The platform matches travelers with destinations and itineraries based on psychological and personality markers.... Read More
Startup Stage: Globe Thrivers turns creator travel content into bookable trips
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Globe Thrivers turns creator travel content into bookable trips
By Cathy Walsh | May 18, 2026
The startup is building AI-powered infrastructure that turns creator content into structured itineraries, collaborative planning and attributed bookings.... Read More
Gharage Ventures on why it's a good time to launch a fund
Interview / Startups
Gharage Ventures on why it's a good time to launch a fund
By Linda Fox | May 15, 2026
Gharage Ventures founding partner Lennard Niemann and general partner Darren Soh discuss their thesis-driven approach and ideal investment.... Read More
Startup Stage: Voyagier targets luxury travel with AI-powered trip planning and booking
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Voyagier targets luxury travel with AI-powered trip planning and booking
By Cathy Walsh | May 11, 2026
The early-stage startup brings together AI-powered trip planning, luxury travel advisors and booking infrastructure.... Read More
CEO Spotlight: Gonzalo Estebarena of Despegar
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Gonzalo Estebarena of Despegar
By Linda Fox | May 6, 2026
Despegar's CEO Gonzalo Estebarena discusses the Prosus acquisition, internal and external AI developments and growth plans.... Read More
Startup Stage: Altitude AI wants to modernize unmanaged business travel
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Altitude AI wants to modernize unmanaged business travel
By Cathy Walsh | May 4, 2026
The startup is building an AI-powered business travel platform designed to help companies without dedicated travel teams book trips and control travel spend.... Read More
AirAsia MOVE CEO on Gen Z travelers, trust and super apps
News / Online
AirAsia MOVE CEO on Gen Z travelers, trust and super apps
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | April 28, 2026
AirAsia Move CEO Nadia Omer discusses Gen Z travelers, AI and trust and OTAs in the future.... Read More
Startup Stage: Travel Smarter uses agentic AI to optimize airline loyalty for travelers
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Travel Smarter uses agentic AI to optimize airline loyalty for travelers
By Cathy Walsh | April 27, 2026
The startup analyzes fragmented airline loyalty data to help frequent travelers optimize status, rewards and program choices in real time.... Read More
CEO Spotlight: Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation
By Linda Fox | April 22, 2026
Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation shares where the industry is with its sustainability attitudes and efforts.... Read More
Startup Stage: First Wave AI automates hotel guest communications and revenue intelligence
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: First Wave AI automates hotel guest communications and revenue intelligence
By Cathy Walsh | April 20, 2026
The startup offers an AI platform that manages guest interactions across channels while providing staff support and operational insights.... Read More
Startup Stage: Roameo targets group travel planning with swipe-to-match interface
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Roameo targets group travel planning with swipe-to-match interface
By Cathy Walsh | April 13, 2026
The platform brings discovery, group coordination and itinerary building into a single, structured experience designed to reduce planning friction.... Read More