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.

Investigation: Hotels and online agencies battle on three fronts (Part One)
Opinion / Distribution
Investigation: Hotels and online agencies battle on three fronts (Part One)
By Robert Cole - RockCheetah | January 5, 2018
Don’t be fooled, despite the occasionally cordial "partnering" rhetoric between the major hotel brands and OTAs, this is an existential battle.... Read More
The need for a dynamic travel insurance system
News / Distribution
The need for a dynamic travel insurance system
By Viewpoints | January 5, 2018
This is a viewpoint from Brendan Iglehart, founder of altSTATES. There are a number of factors that go into determining the premium you pay for travel insurance. Your destination plays a big role a... Read More
High seas high tech: How the cruise industry is innovating
News / Technology
High seas high tech: How the cruise industry is innovating
By PhocusWire | January 5, 2018
In the old days, high tech and a cruise didn’t go together. Cruises were a throwback to a time past, with formal dining and postcards rather than smartphones and video games. No longer. The cruise i... Read More
Looming GDPR deadline tops list of challenges for travel tech buyers
News / Technology
Looming GDPR deadline tops list of challenges for travel tech buyers
By Mitra Sorrells | January 5, 2018
With less than five months until the massive new privacy regulation known as GDPR goes into effect, travel technology buyers say compliance with the complicated rules is their biggest challenge of 2018.... Read More
QOTW: Something about Airbnb's legal dilemmas
News / Online
QOTW: Something about Airbnb's legal dilemmas
By PhocusWire | January 5, 2018
Quote from Apartment Investment & Management Co. (Aimco)...... Read More
Virtual assistant Mezi pivots to travel, finds its niche
News / Technology
Virtual assistant Mezi pivots to travel, finds its niche
By Kerry Medina | January 5, 2018
Following its initial launch as a virtual shopping assistant, Mezi has found success as a chatbot-led virtual travel assistant since its 2016 pivot. Since then, it says 100,000 users have downloaded t... Read More
Bitcoin least interesting use of Blockchain, so there
Notated News / Technology
Bitcoin least interesting use of Blockchain, so there
By Andrew Keys - ConsensyMedia | January 4, 2018
Bitcoin is the Generation 0 of blockchain technology… the opening act… the gateway drug … the first inning … MySpace.... Read More
How travel giants are retaining confidence of investors
News / Online
How travel giants are retaining confidence of investors
By Mitra Sorrells | January 4, 2018
The Priceline Group and Expedia Inc. are tipped for another strong year ahead, according to two independent financial analysts.... Read More
didi-99-brazil-2
News / Online
Didi moves west in 99 ride-hail service buy in Brazil
By Kevin May | January 4, 2018
The pincer movement around Uber is growing, as Chinese giant Didi is confirmed as the new owner of Brazilian brand 99.... Read More
Invest in emerging technologies, but don’t forget about guest experience
From Our Partners / Technology
Invest in emerging technologies, but don’t forget about guest experience
By Sponsored Content | January 4, 2018
This is a viewpoint from Robert Meza, global head of travel partnerships at the ENTERTAINER. On my last trip to London for WTM (our company was exhibiting for the first time), I found myself at a n... Read More
Didi starts to firm up global network, buys Brazilian partner
News / Technology
Didi starts to firm up global network, buys Brazilian partner
By Martin Cowen | January 4, 2018
Didi Chuxing has bought Brazil's biggest ride-hailing business 99 for a reported $1 billion. The deal comes almost a year to the day since Didi took a stake in 99 and started a strategic co-operati... Read More
Riding high on 2017, now Lyft seeks hotel partnerships
News / Distribution
Riding high on 2017, now Lyft seeks hotel partnerships
By Kerry Medina | January 4, 2018
The past 12 months have been kind to Lyft. As Uber struggled with its own challenges throughout the year, its ride-hailing competitor saw its fortunes rise, its value estimated at $7.5 billion accordi... Read More
airbnb lawsuit dismissed
News / Online
Lawsuit against Airbnb dismissed, but battle isn’t over
By Jill Menze | January 3, 2018
Although Airbnb is celebrating a victory over landlord company Apartment Investment & Management Co. in a lawsuit attempting to stop tenants from sharing spaces, the fight is still active.... Read More
Amazon patent blends reality to virtual locales
Notated News / Technology
Amazon patent blends reality to virtual locales
By Alan Boyle - GeekWire | January 3, 2018
Amazon has a new patented technology: a blended-reality display that puts your image into a virtual scene.... Read More
Facial scanning at airports: convenient, but is it legal?
News / Online
Facial scanning at airports: convenient, but is it legal?
By Michele McDonald | January 3, 2018
Biometric facial recognition, now in use at nine US international airports, has been met with cooperation from airlines and barely a whisper of protest from US travelers. Not having to fish around... Read More
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