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.

funding Huilianyi
News / Technology
Business travel platform Huilianyi raises $42M, aims for global expansion
By Steven Lerner | March 31, 2020
Shanghai-based business travel platform Huilianyi has landed RMB 300 million (about $42 million) in funding.... Read More
Via 200M investment
News / Technology
Despite difficult times, ride-share company Via lands $200M investment
By Steven Lerner | March 31, 2020
 Real-time ride-sharing company Via is now valued at a $2.25 billion thanks to a new $200 million Series E investment.  ... Read More
Airbnb apologizes to hosts, dedicates $250M to coronavirus-related cancelations
News / Online
Airbnb apologizes to hosts, dedicates $250M to coronavirus-related cancelations
By Jill Menze | March 30, 2020
In a letter sent to hosts, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says he's “sorry” for mangling communication about refund policies.... Read More
sojern-trends-coronavirus
News / Online
Search data reveals some positive trends but industry should remain cautious
By Linda Fox | March 30, 2020
Sojern looks at search trends to analyze whether there are any signs of recovery for the travel industry.... Read More
Travel venture funding is not over - startups just need to be smarter and prepared
Opinion / Startups
Travel venture funding is not over - startups just need to be smarter and prepared
By Partners at Ennea Capital | March 30, 2020
An overview of the current investor sentiment and impact on startup funding in the short and medium term, as well as likely outcomes for the industry.... Read More
startups hibernation mode
News / Startups
Should travel startups go into “hibernation mode” during the coronavirus?
By Steven Lerner | March 30, 2020
Venture capitalists weigh in on how travel startups could survive the economic fallout from COVID-19.... Read More
airbnb china coronavirus
News / Online
Airbnb hosts in China are “confident” about market recovery
By Jill Menze | March 27, 2020
According to data from Airbnb, 99% of hosts in China feel positively or neutral about engaging in the short-term rental market following the COVID-19 outbreak, while 1% say they will “definitely not” participate once the crisis subsides.... Read More
webinar-fastly-march-2020-new-3
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! How to build highly optimized web architectures in the travel industry
By PhocusWire | March 27, 2020
In this webinar, Fastly customers Loveholidays and Holiday Extras will discuss how moving away from complexity empowered their developers to build better web experiences.... Read More
agents-EU-airlines
News / Distribution
Travel intermediaries look to regulators for help with airline refunds
By Linda Fox | March 27, 2020
ECTAA, a body representing European agents and operators, is urging the European Commission to take action on airlines not refunding tickets.... Read More
Sounding Off: Travel bailouts are not simple tasks to manage
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Travel bailouts are not simple tasks to manage
By PhocusWire | March 27, 2020
 It seems more likely that any form of state aid will go only to propping up the travel-facing operations that inspire people to travel or are functional elements of a trip. Not the ecosystem behind it.... Read More
InPhocus, episode 3 - Living with the virus, thinking about a reset for tourism
News / Technology
InPhocus, episode 3 - Living with the virus, thinking about a reset for tourism
By PhocusWire | March 27, 2020
Destination specialist Doug Lansky to gives his account of contracting coronavirus and shares his perspective on the current climate for destinations and what could (or should) happen next.... Read More
str-coronavirus-march-21
News / Online
Data shows severe impact of coronavirus on global hospitality industry
By Mitra Sorrells | March 26, 2020
Global hospitality data company STR has released figures for Asia, Europe and the United States for the week ending March 21.... Read More
Travel value chain under scrutiny as airlines get bailouts and intermediaries plead for help
News / Distribution
Travel value chain under scrutiny as airlines get bailouts and intermediaries plead for help
By Linda Fox | March 26, 2020
IATA's mention of the value chain has faced significant criticism in the past week from some areas of the intermediary community, seemingly for acting in isolation. They believe the industry is in this crisis together.... Read More
Tours are at an absolute low - here’s how they can recover after COVID-19
Opinion / Online
Tours are at an absolute low - here’s how they can recover after COVID-19
By Alex Govoreanu - Questo | March 26, 2020
It's starting to look like a perfectly terrifying mix between the Spanish Flu and the Great Depression, with the tours and activities sector likely to never be the same again.... Read More
kei-shibata-coronavirus
News / Online
Venture Republic CEO Kei Shibata on coronavirus: “Web traffic is down to the floor”
By Mitra Sorrells | March 26, 2020
Venture Republic co-founder and CEO Kei Shibata discusses the impact of the coronavirus on his travel metasearch and media companies.... Read More