Latest News

Latest News

Stay up to date with the latest travel technology news, startup updates, and industry developments from across the global travel ecosystem.

Besty AI closes $3.75M seed round
News / Finance
Besty AI closes $3.75M seed round
By Cathy Walsh | June 16, 2026
Besty AI is betting that automation can transform short-term rental operations, with plans to expand its platform and grow its enterprise customer base.... Read More
Germany sets a travel spending record—sustaining it won’t be simple
News / Online
Germany sets a travel spending record—sustaining it won’t be simple
By Phocuswright Research | June 16, 2026
Phocuswright's Germany Travel Market Essentials 2026 examines the market's growth, structural vulnerabilities, future outlook and more.... Read More
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
Opinion / Distribution
The hotel industry's real TikTok GO problem has nothing to do with TikTok
By Boštjan Koželj | June 16, 2026
Boštjan Koželj argues that hotels risk missing the next wave of AI-driven distribution because many still lack the machine-readable infrastructure needed to compete in emerging channels.... Read More
Tripadvisor to sell TheFork to American Express for $700M
News / Finance
Tripadvisor to sell TheFork to American Express for $700M
By Mitra Sorrells | June 15, 2026
The deal would expand American Express' dining footprint in Europe while allowing Tripadvisor to focus more heavily on its experiences business.... 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
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
News / Technology
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | June 15, 2026
Veltra’s chief transformation officer explains how AI is challenging Japan’s culture of perfection—and why women may be uniquely suited to thrive in the AI era.... Read More
Top investors in travel tech 2026
News / Startups
Top investors in travel tech 2026
By Linda Fox | June 15, 2026
PhocusWire has delved into who were the top investors in travel tech 2026 to uncover the startups getting funding and the sectors investors are passing on.... Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Travelport, Daytrip, Lighthouse and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Travelport, Daytrip, Lighthouse and more...
By PhocusWire | June 12, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry.... Read More
AI is the next productivity shock: Can travel reap the gains?
Opinion / Technology
AI is the next productivity shock: Can travel reap the gains?
By Jamie Lane - AirDNA | June 12, 2026
Jamie Lane, chief economist for AirDNA, explores how AI could reshape travel demand, distribution and industry economics.... Read More
Cloudbeds, Journey partner to help independent hotels compete with brand loyalty programs
News / Distribution
Cloudbeds, Journey partner to help independent hotels compete with brand loyalty programs
By Cathy Walsh | June 11, 2026
Journey’s AI-driven loyalty engine will be integrated into the Cloudbeds platform, giving independent properties a new way to incentivize direct bookings.... Read More
UK investigates Ryanair over family seat fees
News / Online
UK investigates Ryanair over family seat fees
By Cathy Walsh | June 11, 2026
The UK regulator is examining whether the airline's mandatory family seat reservation fee breaches consumer law and obscures the true cost of travel.... Read More
Cendyn launches Wayfinder to help hotels avoid "OTA 2.0"
News / Technology
Cendyn launches Wayfinder to help hotels avoid "OTA 2.0"
By Linda Fox | June 11, 2026
Wayfinder will help hotels gain, measure and boost visibility across AI platforms such as Gemini, ChatGPT and Perplexity.... Read More
Travel community reacts as ex-Sonder CEO raises $6M for Odessia
News / Finance
Travel community reacts as ex-Sonder CEO raises $6M for Odessia
By Morgan Hines | June 11, 2026
Some travel industry players were congratulatory, others poked holes in Odessia's model.... Read More
Early AI lessons, experiments at Expedia Group
News / Technology
Early AI lessons, experiments at Expedia Group
By Morgan Hines | June 11, 2026
Chief product officer Shilpa Ranganathan discussed Expedia Group’s AI innovation pace, early chatbot missteps and the organizational hurdles of scaling the technology.... Read More
Tern launches agentic AI to boost travel advisor efficiency
News / Technology
Tern launches agentic AI to boost travel advisor efficiency
By Cathy Walsh | June 10, 2026
The technology can generate cruise proposals and draft communications for advisor approval.... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026