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.

How tours and activities can build on travel momentum
News / Online
How tours and activities can build on travel momentum
By Derek Catron | June 28, 2023
A panel discussion at Phocuswright Europe brought together leaders from Viator, TUI Musement and Civitatis to discuss opportunities for tours and activities growth.... Read More
How travel brands are finding a voice on TikTok
News / Online
How travel brands are finding a voice on TikTok
By Linda Fox | June 28, 2023
TikTok's Hannah Bennett shares some of the current trends for travel on the platform as well as how brands including BA and Hilton are finding their voice.... Read More
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
News / Technology
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2023
For now the chat platform is integrated only with Booking.com’s accommodation booking experience, but the company plans to add flights, ground transportation and other trip components in the future.... Read More
Utu to accelerate growth through $33M funding and acquisition deal
News / Technology
Utu to accelerate growth through $33M funding and acquisition deal
By Linda Fox | June 27, 2023
Utu already counts Accor, Air France-KLM, Emirates and Etihad among its partners for its tax-free shopping solution.... Read More
3 takeaways for travel insurtechs from Sam Altman's world tour
Opinion / Technology
3 takeaways for travel insurtechs from Sam Altman's world tour
By Daniel Green - Faye | June 27, 2023
As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman continues his call for increased regulation of artificial intelligence, what lessons can be applied about regulation to the travel insurance space?  ... Read More
Chargebacks in travel increasing as consumers find them easier than refunds
News / Technology
Chargebacks in travel increasing as consumers find them easier than refunds
By Linda Fox | June 27, 2023
Outpayce, the payments business of Amadeus, surveyed travel executives to uncover that 71% of companies have seen an increase with disputes growing 30% year over year.... Read More
Seizing the digital payment opportunity in travel
News / Technology
Seizing the digital payment opportunity in travel
By Linda Fox | June 26, 2023
Stripe's global travel lead James Lemon discusses payments evolution and trends in travel in the PhocusWire Studio at Phocuswright Europe 2023.... Read More
Airbnb talks strategy on marketing, travel dispersal, more
News / Online
Airbnb talks strategy on marketing, travel dispersal, more
By Derek Catron | June 26, 2023
Airbnb’s Amir Segall shares insights on redistributing tourism and other strategies during a center stage interview at Phocuswright Europe.  ... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Squake provides sustainability solutions for travel companies
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Squake provides sustainability solutions for travel companies
By Mitra Sorrells | June 26, 2023
Squake’s API calculates carbon emissions related to any type of travel, such as an air or rail trip or a hotel stay, and then automates carbon reduction or compensation in the booking flow.... Read More
CWT partners with Spotnana for travel management platform
News / Technology
CWT partners with Spotnana for travel management platform
By Jay Boehmer & Michael B. Baker | June 26, 2023
Spotnana CEO Sarosh Waghmar said the partnership combines Spotnana’s tech with CWT’s "global servicing capabilities and the full breadth of its TMC services."... Read More
Fora adds payment storage facility for travel advisors
News / Technology
Fora adds payment storage facility for travel advisors
By Linda Fox | June 23, 2023
Part of the company’s client management tool, the Vault removes the need to collect and store clients’ payment information at the time of booking.... Read More
Early adopters of AI for travel on the power of new models
News / Technology
Early adopters of AI for travel on the power of new models
By Mitra Sorrells | June 23, 2023
The founders of 30SecondstoFly and Sam - two AI-powered chatbots that have been acquired by Amex GBT and Flight Centre Travel Group, respectively, discuss the potential of new large language models.... Read More
Personalization + ChatGPT = Holy grail in customer intent
Opinion / Technology
Personalization + ChatGPT = Holy grail in customer intent
By Terry Jones | June 23, 2023
ChatGPT is going to change travel search for the better, and adding personalization will make it wonderful.... Read More
Transport experts discuss multimodal dream, super apps, short-haul flights ban
News / Online
Transport experts discuss multimodal dream, super apps, short-haul flights ban
By Derek Catron | June 23, 2023
The panel discussion at Phocuswright Europe also spoke about air taxis and the challenges of connecting travelers on the “last mile” of their journey.  ... Read More
Travel startups on choosing investors, funding experiences
News / Startups
Travel startups on choosing investors, funding experiences
By Linda Fox & Mitra Sorrells | June 22, 2023
Following our recent piece on top investors in travel tech, PhocusWire collected insights from startups on what they look for in investors.... Read More
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