Metasearch

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the metasearch sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on the brands and their strategies, executives and positions in the market.

Hugo Burge, online travel pioneer and startup investor, dies at 51
News / Online
Hugo Burge, online travel pioneer and startup investor, dies at 51
By Linda Fox | May 12, 2023
Tributes are flooding in for online travel pioneer Hugo Burge, who died on Wednesday at age 51. Read More
HomeToGo launches OpenAI-powered curated search
News / Online
HomeToGo launches OpenAI-powered curated search
By Linda Fox | May 10, 2023
HomeToGo’s first "Mode" is AI Mode, which enables anyone planning travel to receive personalized recommendations via OpenAI's GPT technology. Read More
Axel Hefer leaves Trivago, former director appointed
News / Online
Axel Hefer leaves Trivago, former director appointed
By Linda Fox | May 9, 2023
Johannes Thomas, a former chief revenue officer and managing director, takes over the role of CEO and managing director with immediate effect. Read More
Tripadvisor Q1 revenue up 42% compared to 2022
News / Online
Tripadvisor Q1 revenue up 42% compared to 2022
By Mitra Sorrells | May 3, 2023
Tripadvisor's Viator segment brought in $115 million in revenue in the first quarter, up 105% compared to the same period in 2022. Read More
Trivago hampered as advertisers focus on profitability despite travel demand
News / Online
Trivago hampered as advertisers focus on profitability despite travel demand
By Linda Fox | May 3, 2023
The hotel metasearch company said progress was made in each of its goals of increasing value in the product for advertisers and users, boosting the coverage of its directly bookable rates and investing... Read More
The seven deadly sins of hotel distribution
Opinion / Distribution
The seven deadly sins of hotel distribution
By Marta Romero - Mirai | May 2, 2023
While there’s no universal formula to achieve the perfect channel mix in hotel distribution, it’s also important to avoid temptation offered by the seven deadly sins of distribution.   Read More
Ixigo technology chief on AI, ChatGPT and their potential
News / Technology
Ixigo technology chief on AI, ChatGPT and their potential
By Linda Fox | April 25, 2023
Mobile-driven Ixigo has made a string of acquisitions and investments in recent years, adding technology and inventory, and was an early mover when it came to experimenting with artificial intelligence. Read More
chatgpt laptop
News / Technology
ChatGPT: A chatty dozen of travel tools and services
By Derek Catron | April 18, 2023
Travel companies are using ChatGPT for everything from personalized itinerary recommendations to social media marketing and 24/7 customer support.   Read More
Journera TripSignals
News / Technology
Journera debuts TripSignals platform to connect travel data
By Derek Catron | April 14, 2023
Journera CEO Jeff Katz sees benefits for travelers as well as the airlines and hotels that want their business from journey’s start to finish.   Read More
ChatGPT with phone
Opinion / Technology
ChatGPT means radically improved travel sales conversion
By Terry Jones | April 7, 2023
Travelocity founder Terry Jones says his past work creating Wayblazer makes him confident ChatGPT and other forms of generative AI will permanently disrupt the user interface in travel. Read More
Google new tools
News / Online
Google redesigns hotel browsing on mobile
By Derek Catron | April 3, 2023
Google also confirmed PhocusWire reports of a pilot program in which it is offering to give consumers a refund on flights if the airfare purchased drops before departure.     Read More
travel wheelchair
News / Online
Expedia, Wheel the World partner for more accessible travel
By Derek Catron | March 30, 2023
Expedia Group will serve as the exclusive partner to power the lodging supply maintained by Wheel the World, a platform for people with disabilities to book accessible travel.   Read More
hometogo-2022-results
News / Online
HomeToGo considering further acquisitions but prices remain high
By Linda Fox | March 30, 2023
Highlights of the year for HomeToGo included the acquisition of AMIVAC in January and E-Domizil in March and acquiring the remaining 81% stake in Secra in June following its initial acquisition of 19%... Read More
kayak Expedia group chatgpt
News / Technology
Expedia, Kayak first in travel with plugins for ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | March 23, 2023
ChatGPT is inviting its Plus subscribers to join a wait list to get access to plugins, with plans to roll them out more widely in the future.   Read More
Tripadvisor CMO talks travel marketing, membership, video
News / Online
Tripadvisor CMO talks travel marketing, membership, video
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023
Tripadvisor's chief marketing officer John Boris, who joined the company in late 2022, shares more on the company's strategy as well as his thoughts on the state of travel marketing. Read More