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.

Expedia Group expands Meta partnership amid push to connect social, booking
News / Technology
Expedia Group expands Meta partnership amid push to connect social, booking
By Morgan Hines | May 19, 2026
 The expanded collaboration follows the recent news that Expedia is a partner with TikTok for its new in-app booking, a sign of the OTA's focus on growing its B2B distribution strategy.... Read More
World Travel Holdings gets investment from Citation Capital
News / Distribution
World Travel Holdings gets investment from Citation Capital
By Linda Fox | May 19, 2026
World Travel Holdings, which was founded in 2005, said it generates more than $2.5 billion in annual booking volume.... Read More
Wellness tourism hits $894B, with more growth ahead
News / Online
Wellness tourism hits $894B, with more growth ahead
By Phocuswright Research | May 19, 2026
Wellness tourism is at “the powerful intersection of two large and growing multi-trillion-dollar industries."... Read More
I almost deleted the email—the travel industry can't afford to
News / Technology
I almost deleted the email—the travel industry can't afford to
By Timothy O'Neil-Dunne - T2 Impact | May 19, 2026
Timothy O'Neil-Dunne, principal of tech consultancy T2Impact, explains what suppliers, OTAs and intermediaries need to know about OpenAI's April privacy update.... Read More
Expedia Group moves advertising unit under CMO Jochen Koedijk
News / Online
Expedia Group moves advertising unit under CMO Jochen Koedijk
By Morgan Hines | May 18, 2026
The move continues Expedia Group's reorganization following the merger of its B2B and supply businesses.... Read More
Startup Stage: Globe Thrivers turns creator travel content into bookable trips
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Globe Thrivers turns creator travel content into bookable trips
By Cathy Walsh | May 18, 2026
The startup is building AI-powered infrastructure that turns creator content into structured itineraries, collaborative planning and attributed bookings.... Read More
European Commission proposes rail ticketing overhaul with new passenger protections
News / Distribution
European Commission proposes rail ticketing overhaul with new passenger protections
By Mark Frary | May 18, 2026
The proposed Passenger Package would open online rail ticketing services to other operators, strengthen protections for multi-operator journeys and establish new rules for ticketing agreements.... Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Emburse, Agoda, NextTrip and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Emburse, Agoda, NextTrip and more...
By PhocusWire | May 15, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry.... Read More
FCM to relaunch AI assistant Sam with expanded features, guardrails
News / Technology
FCM to relaunch AI assistant Sam with expanded features, guardrails
By Michael B. Baker - BTN | May 15, 2026
The updated tool combines conversational trip management, corporate travel policy controls and live agent handoff.... Read More
Gharage Ventures on why it's a good time to launch a fund
Interview / Startups
Gharage Ventures on why it's a good time to launch a fund
By Linda Fox | May 15, 2026
Gharage Ventures founding partner Lennard Niemann and general partner Darren Soh discuss their thesis-driven approach and ideal investment.... Read More
Ixigo launches travel app with conversational booking and agentic AI
News / Technology
Ixigo launches travel app with conversational booking and agentic AI
By Cathy Walsh | May 14, 2026
The app includes natural language trip planning through Ixigo’s AI assistant TARA and AI-powered tools for flight alerts, boarding passes and post-booking support.... Read More
Reframing travel plumbing: NDC, MCP as tech stack allies
News / Technology
Reframing travel plumbing: NDC, MCP as tech stack allies
By Morgan Hines | May 14, 2026
MCP has the potential to bolster NDC’s impact, enhancing access to content and streamlining integration, according to industry stakeholders.... Read More
HBX builds out experiences offering with Bridgify acquisition
News / Technology
HBX builds out experiences offering with Bridgify acquisition
By Linda Fox | May 13, 2026
Bridgify, which was founded in 2019, offers an AI-powered platform providing access to more than a million experiences from global suppliers.... Read More
Trip.com plans digital ID pilot using Google and Apple wallets
News / Technology
Trip.com plans digital ID pilot using Google and Apple wallets
By Mark Frary | May 13, 2026
Air Canada, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways, as well as digital identity infrastructure platform Hopae, are expected to be involved in the pilot. ... Read More
Direct Ferries launches ChatGPT app for search, discovery
News / Technology
Direct Ferries launches ChatGPT app for search, discovery
By Morgan Hines | May 13, 2026
Bringing Direct Ferries into ChatGPT marks the next step in addressing the ferry segment’s fragmentation, according to CEO Niall Walsh.... Read More
More 
The Phocuswright Conference 2026
Phocuswright Research
Phocuswright Events
Northstar Travel Group
Other Northstar Travel Group Products
Events by WIT
About Us
Advertise
Privacy
Contact Us
Do Not Sell or Share My Data
Copyright © 2026 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Phocuswright 301 Route 17 N., Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: +1 860 350-4084
Phocuswright • The Phocuswright Conference • Phocuswright Europe • Global Startup Pitch • Web In Travel • Retail Travel
Register Now