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How Chinese OTAs turned around 3 years of COVID isolation
News / Online
How Chinese OTAs turned around 3 years of COVID isolation
By Gary Bowerman - Phocuswright | July 24, 2023
Phocuswright analyst Gary Bowerman explores the strategies Chinese OTAs have taken to remain competitive over the last few years.   Read More
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
News / Online
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
By Linda Fox | July 21, 2023
Affilired has been charting the rise in hotel bookings via mobile in recent years and reported a marked increase in the first quarter of 2023. Read More
Name-your-price rideshare company InDrive launches in U.S.
News / Online
Name-your-price rideshare company InDrive launches in U.S.
By Mitra Sorrells | July 20, 2023
InDrive operates in 48 countries and uses a bid-based business model: riders input pickup and drop-off locations and propose a fee and then drivers can either accept or counter-offer.   Read More
Tripadvisor integrates OpenAI for travel planning
News / Technology
Tripadvisor integrates OpenAI for travel planning
By Mitra Sorrells | July 19, 2023
Tripadvisor's new tool leverages the platform's more than one billion user-generated reviews and opinions to generate personalized itineraries using OpenAI's technology.  Read More
Checkfront and Rezdy merge in significant tech deal in tours, activities and attractions
News / Technology
Checkfront and Rezdy merge in significant tech deal in tours, activities and attractions
By Stephen Joyce and Janelle Visser - Arival | July 18, 2023
CEOs Jason Morehouse and Chris Atkin share the details of the recent deal, which brings two in-destination experience sector booking system providers together under one company.   Read More
Hotel Equities implements Grazzy digital tipping across properties
News / Startups
Hotel Equities implements Grazzy digital tipping across properties
By Linda Fox | July 11, 2023
The Grazzy platform enables guests to tip housekeeping, front desk and other hotel employees directly from mobile devices. Read More
Holden out at Google Travel
News / Online
Holden out at Google Travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 11, 2023
Google Travel is now being led by Rose Yao and Julie Farago, two longtime Google employees with product and engineering experience. Read More
Breeze - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2023
Interview / Startups
Breeze - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2023
By PhocusWire | July 6, 2023
Breeze is a single app that travelers can use to manage flights, accommodations, ground transportation, experiences, global roaming, loyalty cards, trip photos and more. Read More
Accor updates on digital and distribution strategy
News / Distribution
Accor updates on digital and distribution strategy
By Linda Fox | June 30, 2023
Accor chief digital officer Alix Boulnois detailed some of the company’s strategies going forward during a Capital Market Day in late June. Read More
Why hyperlocal is the new global for the travel industry
Opinion / Online
Why hyperlocal is the new global for the travel industry
By Michael Becker - GeoSure | June 30, 2023
GeoSure CEO Michael Becker explains why hotels, rentals, ride shares and other tourism stakeholders should harness the power of ultra-refined, location-specific data. 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
HiJiffy lands €3.8M investment, looks to expand chatbot service
News / Startups
HiJiffy lands €3.8M investment, looks to expand chatbot service
By Linda Fox | June 21, 2023
The investment in the company was led by Caixa Capital with Lince Capital and existing investor Portugal Ventures also participating. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Overlap helps travelers track friends made along the way
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Overlap helps travelers track friends made along the way
By Derek Catron | June 20, 2023
With personalized recommendations, location-based alerts and features that allow users to track and log their travels, Overlap is a comprehensive and user-friendly tool that helps travelers stay... Read More
Latin America super app Rappi has big ambitions in travel
News / Online
Latin America super app Rappi has big ambitions in travel
By Mitra Sorrells | June 20, 2023
With partnerships with Marriott and Amadeus, Rappi is finding ways to make its app the go-to place for travel bookings as well as many other daily essentials. Read More
Could generative AI make Google Maps a full travel app?
News / Technology
Could generative AI make Google Maps a full travel app?
By Linda Fox | June 16, 2023
A Lufthansa Innovation Hub study explores how generative AI could be the final piece of the map-based travel planning puzzle. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026