Interviews

AI Insights: Generative AI for vacation rental metasearch
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI for vacation rental metasearch
By PhocusWire | June 16, 2023
HomeToGo’s director of engineering, Mahendra Roopa, answers our questions about how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology.  ... Read More
WeSki - Launch pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2023
Interview / Startups
WeSki - Launch pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2023
By PhocusWire | June 14, 2023
WeSki is a self-service platform for planning, comparing, booking and customizing ski trips, providing real-time prices and availability. ... Read More
Guarding against bias in ChatGPT and travel’s AI tools
News / Technology
Guarding against bias in ChatGPT and travel’s AI tools
By Derek Catron | June 8, 2023
Jyotika Singh, the director of data science at Placemakr, talks about the benefits and pitfalls AI and natural language processing present for the travel sector.  ... Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI's impact on the shopping experience
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI's impact on the shopping experience
By PhocusWire | June 6, 2023
Amadeus chief technology officer Sylvain Roy answers our questions on how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology.... Read More
Former Sabre exec Traci Mercer on her new role at Priceline
News / Online
Former Sabre exec Traci Mercer on her new role at Priceline
By Mitra Sorrells | May 31, 2023
In her new role as senior vice president and head of accommodations for Priceline, Traci Mercer discusses her priorities for growing the brand, opportunities in the B2B space and the importance of the "ecosystem impact" for the industry.... Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI in tour operating
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI in tour operating
By PhocusWire | May 26, 2023
TUI Group's chief technology officer Pieter Jordaan answers our questions on how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology.... Read More
Hotelbeds CEO: Sustainable travel is “nonnegotiable”
News / Distribution
Hotelbeds CEO: Sustainable travel is “nonnegotiable”
By Derek Catron | May 23, 2023
Nicolas Huss spoke with PhocusWire about travel technology, ChatGPT and the importance of sustainability.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Roam Around uses ChatGPT to tailor free travel itineraries
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Roam Around uses ChatGPT to tailor free travel itineraries
By Derek Catron | May 18, 2023
Built on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Roam Around claims to be the world’s first viral AI travel planner, crafting free personalized itineraries for its users.  ... Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI in travel distribution
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI in travel distribution
By PhocusWire | May 17, 2023
Travelport’s chief product and technology officer Tom Kershaw answers our questions about how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology.   ... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: CalmGetaways helps users book wellness travel
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: CalmGetaways helps users book wellness travel
By Mitra Sorrells | May 9, 2023
Along with self-service search, users can fill out a form with their interests to receive customized recommendations from CalmGetaways.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Roame lets travelers search flights based on credit card points
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Roame lets travelers search flights based on credit card points
By Derek Catron | April 25, 2023
Roame is like Google Flights for award travel; it lets users search for flights based on credit card points/miles.  ... Read More
Travelport tech chief talks moving the needle on NDC
News / Distribution
Travelport tech chief talks moving the needle on NDC
By Linda Fox | April 19, 2023
Tom Kershaw, chief product and technology officer at Travelport, talks about the current state of NDC, real progress in 2023 and moving the needle on adoption.... Read More
CEO Spotlight - Kenneth Purcell of iSeatz
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight - Kenneth Purcell of iSeatz
By Kathryn Walson | April 13, 2023
Kenneth Purcell founded iSeatz to automate the restaurant reservation process for hotel guests, and it has since expanded to connect hospitality, airline and financial services brands with a wide range of ancillary booking products.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: HostAI creates AI-powered direct marketing for independent travel brands
Interview / Technology
STARTUP STAGE: HostAI creates AI-powered direct marketing for independent travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | April 13, 2023
HostAI uses artificial intelligence to develop marketing strategies to drive direct revenue growth for hospitality brands, starting with vacation rental managers.... Read More
Viator's Ben Drew on further growth, educating consumers
News / Online
Viator's Ben Drew on further growth, educating consumers
By Linda Fox | April 6, 2023
Viator president Ben Drew attributes its recent growth to “changing almost everything about the business” in the past three years.... Read More