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.

Economic, not just environmental, sustainability for travel
News / Online
Economic, not just environmental, sustainability for travel
By Phocuswright Research | February 20, 2024
Phocuswright research found that communication or education efforts around economic sustainability need to take extra care to be direct and transparent because these issues are too covert for travelers to discern them on their own.  ... Read More
CEO Spotlight - Damian Scokin of Despegar
News / Online
CEO Spotlight - Damian Scokin of Despegar
By Linda Fox | February 20, 2024
In a discussion with PhocusWire, Despegar CEO Damian Scokin talks about carrying momentum from 2023 into the year ahead, the role of artificial intelligence and growth opportunities for the Latin American online travel agency.... Read More
Next-gen customer service for hospitality: Balance high-touch, high-tech
Opinion / Online
Next-gen customer service for hospitality: Balance high-touch, high-tech
By Dr. Ori Faran - Callvu | February 16, 2024
Great personal service still matters in hospitality, but as consumers – especially younger ones – demand more self-service options, hotels also need outstanding digital options. ... Read More
Q&A: Conor Grennan on how travel companies can use generative AI as a strategic advantage
News / Technology
Q&A: Conor Grennan on how travel companies can use generative AI as a strategic advantage
By Mitra Sorrells | February 16, 2024
The NYU Stern dean and consultant on generative AI explains why it is a change management issue and so much more than a simple tool - and why training employees how to use it is like "giving them an Ironman suit."... Read More
Deal with Ryanair furthers TUI’s plans for global booking platform
News / Online
Deal with Ryanair furthers TUI’s plans for global booking platform
By Derek Catron | February 15, 2024
All Ryanair flights will soon be bookable directly with TUI and can be combined with the German-based travel company’s full offerings.  ... Read More
Sabre notes 2023 improvements, cloud migration and tech cost savings on track
News / Distribution
Sabre notes 2023 improvements, cloud migration and tech cost savings on track
By Linda Fox | February 15, 2024
Adjusted EBITDA for the technology and distribution company was $96 million for the quarter and $337 for the full year, up from $65 million in 2022. The gains were attributed to increases in travel bookings across air and hotels.... Read More
HomeToGo 2023 results driven by subscriptions and services business
News / Technology
HomeToGo 2023 results driven by subscriptions and services business
By Linda Fox | February 15, 2024
HomeToGo said it had achieved its main priority of adjusted EBITDA break-even for the year with the financial metric at €2 million, ahead of full-year guidance.... Read More
Lighthouse expands into distribution by acquiring Stardekk
News / Distribution
Lighthouse expands into distribution by acquiring Stardekk
By Derek Catron | February 15, 2024
Lighthouse said the acquisition enables it to offer dynamic distribution management capabilities focused on improving booking conversion and revenue optimization for independent hotels.  ... Read More
With speculation of a sale in the air, Tripadvisor reports record revenue driven – again – by Viator
News / Online
With speculation of a sale in the air, Tripadvisor reports record revenue driven – again – by Viator
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2024
Two days after announcing it has created a special committee and retained a mergers and acquisition advisory firm, Tripadvisor reported an all-time high for revenue in 2023 led by a 49% growth in revenue for its Viator segment.... Read More
Phocuswright, WiT to launch Middle East travel tech conference in Dubai
News / Online
Phocuswright, WiT to launch Middle East travel tech conference in Dubai
By WiT | February 14, 2024
The co-branded one-day conference will blend the best of Phocuswright intelligence with WiT market insights in digital travel to focus on technology, innovation and distribution and marketing trends in the Middle East.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Sleap.io is a blockchain-based hotel booking platform
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Sleap.io is a blockchain-based hotel booking platform
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2024
Founded in 2023, Sleap.io has more than 350,000 hotels on its platform and accepts payment in more than 200 cryptocurrencies. ... Read More
Airbnb adjusted EBITDA up 28% year over year as inventory grows to nearly 8M
News / Online
Airbnb adjusted EBITDA up 28% year over year as inventory grows to nearly 8M
By Morgan Hines | February 13, 2024
Airbnb said it has more than 5 million hosts and the highest inventory growth in 2023 came in Asia Pacific and Latin America.... Read More
Mobility specialist CMAC Group acquired by ComfortDelGro for £80M
News / Distribution
Mobility specialist CMAC Group acquired by ComfortDelGro for £80M
By Linda Fox | February 13, 2024
United Kingdom-based CMAC manages journeys for almost 3 million travelers through partnerships with airlines, train operators and corporations. It also offers private and ride-share transfer at airports, stations and ports via its Suntransfers brand.... Read More
Bob W checks in with €40M in funding
News / Startups
Bob W checks in with €40M in funding
By Linda Fox | February 13, 2024
The apartment rental company is looking to further develop its technology and bring more talent into the team with the fresh investment.... Read More
Priceline expands generative AI chatbot across all products on its platform
News / Technology
Priceline expands generative AI chatbot across all products on its platform
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2024
Priceline said it has created more than 30 new features built on intelligence it has gathered from millions of customers that have used the technology since it debuted in June.... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026