News

The travel labor shortage should be over, so why are we still worried?
News / Online
The travel labor shortage should be over, so why are we still worried?
By PhocusWright Research | September 25, 2024
Phocuswright research has found that the hospitality industry is facing staffing challenges due to low pay, long hours, lack of remote work and declining interest.... Read More
Snowflake expands its data cloud platform with capabilities tailored for travel
News / Technology
Snowflake expands its data cloud platform with capabilities tailored for travel
By Morgan Hines | September 24, 2024
 Snowflake already works with clients including Hyatt, Tripadvisor, Booking.com, JetBlue and Marriott.  ... Read More
Ryanair receives, appeals criminal warning
News / Online
Ryanair receives, appeals criminal warning
By Morgan Hines | September 23, 2024
Ryanair Monday instructed its lawyers to ask for clarity from the Barcelona Commercial Court on the initial injunction that stopped Ryanair from using certain words to describe eDreams’ Prime program.... Read More
OYO is acquiring Motel 6 parent G6 Hospitality for $525M
News / Distribution
OYO is acquiring Motel 6 parent G6 Hospitality for $525M
By Linda Fox | September 23, 2024
Earlier this year OYO raised $174 million in Series G funding. G6 has a network of about 1,500 properties across the United States and Canada.  ... Read More
Norwegian airline and Strawberry hotels create shared loyalty currency
News / Online
Norwegian airline and Strawberry hotels create shared loyalty currency
By Mitra Sorrells | September 23, 2024
The two brands have created a joint venture – Spenn – that will offer a common loyalty currency with no exchange fees and, eventually, a wide range of partners that provide earning and redemption offers aligned with day-to-day needs.... Read More
TripAdmit secures $1M in funding to expand internationally
News / Startups
TripAdmit secures $1M in funding to expand internationally
By Mileva Sapic | September 20, 2024
TripAdmit, which automates tipping and trip review collection for tour operators, plans to expand its footprint across North America and Europe.... Read More
Phocuswire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Thayer Ventures, Sabre, Cloudbeds and more
News / Distribution
Phocuswire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Thayer Ventures, Sabre, Cloudbeds and more
By PhocusWire | September 20, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup.... Read More
The travel industry payment gap
News / Online
The travel industry payment gap
By Phocuswright Research | September 20, 2024
The travel industry historically struggles with emerging trends and technologies, and the topic of payments is no exception. ... Read More
Chesky on Airbnb's future in travel and beyond
News / Online
Chesky on Airbnb's future in travel and beyond
By Morgan Hines | September 20, 2024
Chesky referenced Apple and Amazon’s trajectory - what if Apple never launched the iPod, or Amazon never sold more than books? - to explain why he believes Airbnb should offer much more than a place to stay.... Read More
Agoda’s co-founder Rosenstein: AI will widen the gap between haves and have-nots in travel
News / Technology
Agoda’s co-founder Rosenstein: AI will widen the gap between haves and have-nots in travel
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | September 19, 2024
Robert Rosenstein said that while smaller companies can be faster and more nimble, the fact is the biggest benefit of AI right now to increase productivity and cut staff plays to the big companies.... Read More
Hotel Engine raises $140M, rebrands to Engine
News / Technology
Hotel Engine raises $140M, rebrands to Engine
By Linda Fox | September 19, 2024
The company plans to use the funding to support product development, including the launch of flight and rental car bookings on its platform in October.  ... Read More
Marriott CEO on shifting loyalty from transactional to emotional
News / Online
Marriott CEO on shifting loyalty from transactional to emotional
By Morgan Hines | September 19, 2024
Hotel loyalty programs have traditionally been focused on room nights as the primary redemption offering, but Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano believes Bonvoy can go far beyond traditional expectations.... Read More
Mindtrip secures $12M investment, launches group chat
News / Startups
Mindtrip secures $12M investment, launches group chat
By Mileva Sapic | September 18, 2024
Mindtrip will use the investment to scale operations as it rolls out of a series of collaborative trip planning features for groups.... Read More
Point.me secures $15M to expand travel rewards search platform
News / Startups
Point.me secures $15M to expand travel rewards search platform
By Linda Fox | September 18, 2024
The investment was led by Nyca Partners and Citi Ventures with Samsung Next, RiverPark Ventures, Meta executives, the co-founder of ITA Software (Google Flights), Thayer Ventures and PAR Capital Ventures also participating.  ... Read More
Flyr launches airline retailing management system
News / Distribution
Flyr launches airline retailing management system
By Morgan Hines | September 18, 2024
Flyr has integrated artificial intelligence with a modular design that’s meant to be flexible to give airlines the option to build a retail marketplace that’s seamless and personalized.... Read More