Interviews

Q&A: Travelport's Greg Webb talks future of NDC, IT outage, more
News / Online
Q&A: Travelport's Greg Webb talks future of NDC, IT outage, more
By Morgan Hines | August 12, 2024
At the Global Business Travel Association conference in Atlanta late last month, Greg Webb sat down with PhocusWire for a wide-ranging interview on the travel industry, Travelport and more.... Read More
Winners, wipeouts and travel tech bets
News / Technology
Winners, wipeouts and travel tech bets
By Linda Fox | August 6, 2024
The increased M&A activity in travel is seeing companies such as Juniper Group, Mews and Lighthouse scoop up smaller travel technology providers and startups.... Read More
The power of data and AI for effective distribution and digital marketing in hospitality
News / Distribution
The power of data and AI for effective distribution and digital marketing in hospitality
By Mitra Sorrells | August 1, 2024
Cloudbeds’ Sebastien Leitner and Mirai’s Javier Delgado discuss how technology can help hoteliers create a great experience for guests that keeps them coming back.    ... Read More
SparkToro's Rand Fishkin on Google, zero-click content and why loyalty is the key to travel marketing
News / Online
SparkToro's Rand Fishkin on Google, zero-click content and why loyalty is the key to travel marketing
By Mitra Sorrells | July 30, 2024
Spurred by SparkToro's recent analysis of search behavior on Google in both the United States and Europe, PhocusWire talked to Fishkin about digital marketing trends and his advice for the travel industry.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Wanderboat wants to be an AI-companion for travel planning
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Wanderboat wants to be an AI-companion for travel planning
By Mileva Sapic | July 25, 2024
Founded in 2023, Wanderboat provides an AI-augmented forum for users to discover new ideas, post their experiences and connect with other travelers.... Read More
The importance of “small wins” in developing a long-term AI strategy
News / Technology
The importance of “small wins” in developing a long-term AI strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | July 25, 2024
Agent Studio's Cesc Vilanova and Acai Travel's Riky Vittoria - two people who have been developing artificial intelligence solutions for year - offer advice on how to employ the technology.... Read More
Ravlling wants to be Northern Europe's “conscious travel” booking platform
Interview / Startups
Ravlling wants to be Northern Europe's “conscious travel” booking platform
By Morgan Hines | July 16, 2024
Founded in 2022, Ravlling aims to make searching for sustainable travel options easy, provides curated options and inspiration.... Read More
CEO Spotlight: Nadia Omer of AirAsia MOVE
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Nadia Omer of AirAsia MOVE
By Mitra Sorrells | July 12, 2024
Previously known as AirAsia Superapp, AirAsia MOVE is the online travel agency brand of Capital A, which also operates AirAsia airline. AirAsia MOVE and fintech brand BigPay constitute MOVE Digital, Capital A’s digital arm.... Read More
ConnexPay - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
Interview / Technology
ConnexPay - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
By PhocusWire | July 9, 2024
 Founded in 2017, ConnexPay integrates both sides of the payment ecosystem – accepting and making payments – inside a single global platform.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: FreeGuides empowers hotels to accompany their guests beyond the lobby
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: FreeGuides empowers hotels to accompany their guests beyond the lobby
By Mileva Sapic | July 8, 2024
FreeGuides is committed to enriching the guest experience while also enhancing hotel operations by using QR code-driven solutions to make content creation efficient and straightforward.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Seeru is a marketplace to help Muslims travel across the U.A.E
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Seeru is a marketplace to help Muslims travel across the U.A.E
By Linda Fox | July 2, 2024
The company said it is launching a first in the region app that aims to serve 90 million out of 2 billion Muslims, making Umrah accessible through its tech-driven approach.... Read More
Takyon - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
Interview / Startups
Takyon - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
By PhocusWire | July 1, 2024
Takyon turns non-refundable travel reservations into digital goods, using a blockchain-based tokenization process, so they can be resold or exchanged.... Read More
Oracle Hospitality’s new SVP on cloud-based PMSs, the value of partnerships and AI
Interview / Technology
Oracle Hospitality’s new SVP on cloud-based PMSs, the value of partnerships and AI
By D.J. Catron | June 28, 2024
Oracle’s Hospitality’s Laura Calin has been with the company since its 2014 acquisition of Micros, where she had worked since the 1990s - starting as a lead developer on the original Opera system.... Read More
Visa - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
Interview / Online
Visa - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
By PhocusWire | June 24, 2024
Visa's Commercial Pay is a suite of B2B payment solutions, to help improve cashflow for businesses and eliminate outdated manual processes.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale
By Morgan Hines | June 20, 2024
Welcome Compass uses artificial intelligence to generate a personalized digital guide for guests that can include house rules, local recommendations, check-in/check-out instructions and more.... Read More