Investments

IATA aims to improve airline communication on interline bags
News / Online
IATA aims to improve airline communication on interline bags
By Robert Silk - Travel Weekly | August 26, 2024
A new IATA initiative will help airlines better communicate with one another and with airports as they deliver checked bags across interline itineraries. Read More
Is the multi-day tour industry ready for digital transformation?
Opinion / Online
Is the multi-day tour industry ready for digital transformation?
By Ragnar Fjolnisson - Kaptio | August 23, 2024
Ragnar Fjölnisson, founder of Kaptio, writes that by fully embracing digital transformation, multi-day tour operators can enhance customer satisfaction, drive economic growth and contribute to a more... Read More
Steve Singh's latest business travel startup lands $6M for AI agent
News / Startups
Steve Singh's latest business travel startup lands $6M for AI agent
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2024
Singh will serve as executive chairman of Otto, which is creating an AI-powered travel assistant to plan, book and support business travelers during a trip. Read More
Blackstone acquires hotel accounting tech specialist M3
News / Technology
Blackstone acquires hotel accounting tech specialist M3
By Linda Fox | August 16, 2024
M3, which was founded in 1998, provides a back-office accounting software platform as well as labor management and business intelligence tech to more than 8,000 properties in North America. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Holibob, RedAwning, Cloudbeds, AirDNA and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Holibob, RedAwning, Cloudbeds, AirDNA and more
By PhocusWire | August 16, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
India-based all-electric Fresh Bus raises $10.5M for expansion
News / Startups
India-based all-electric Fresh Bus raises $10.5M for expansion
By Mitra Sorrells | August 13, 2024
Founded in 2023, Fresh Bus operates on intercity routes in India along with a digital-first customer experience that offers real-time bus tracking and a loyalty program. Read More
Inspirato receives $10M, makes employee cuts, names new CEO
News / Online
Inspirato receives $10M, makes employee cuts, names new CEO
By Morgan Hines | August 13, 2024
The luxury travel subscription company received $10 million in equity financing, cut its workforce by 15% and named Payam Zamani as its new chairman and CEO.  Read More
OYO raises $174 million in Series G funding
News / Startups
OYO raises $174 million in Series G funding
By Linda Fox | August 13, 2024
The company says the funding, which has come from a number of investors including OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal, will go toward growth. Read More
Priorities, challenges and next steps for Lufthansa Innovation Hub
News / Technology
Priorities, challenges and next steps for Lufthansa Innovation Hub
By Linda Fox | August 13, 2024
Travel startups including Squake, Navit, Swifty and Uptrip have come out of the Lufthansa Innovation Hub. Now, at 10 years old, the corporate venture unit is looking at how it scales further, does more... Read More
Events and tickets platform Coras raises €1.3M
News / Startups
Events and tickets platform Coras raises €1.3M
By D.J. Catron | August 12, 2024
The funding was led by DataOp and will also help Dublin-based Coras roll out Fida, a web loyalty platform that facilitates tokenized commerce so customers can spend their loyalty points across multiple... Read More
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
Travel insurance startup Faye raises $31M in series B funding
News / Startups
Travel insurance startup Faye raises $31M in series B funding
By Mileva Sapic | July 30, 2024
The round was led by Portage, a global investment platform, along with contributions from Lumir Ventures, F2 Venture Capital, Viola Ventures and Munich Re Ventures. Read More
Short-term rentals’ efforts give new lease on life for vacated offices
News / Distribution
Short-term rentals’ efforts give new lease on life for vacated offices
By D.J. Catron | July 30, 2024
Executives from Bob W and Nestor Stay spoke at Phocuswright Europe about growth opportunities for the sector and the potential to revitalize urban areas that are losing office workers.   Read More
Travel investors on the next innovation wave
News / Startups
Travel investors on the next innovation wave
By Linda Fox | July 29, 2024
Travel investors from Lakestar, Roch Ventures and Eight Roads discuss the latest trends in travel startup funding at Phocuswright Europe 2024. Read More
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