Online Travel Agency

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

The reach is rented: Why travel brands need to stop building for algorithms
Opinion / Online
The reach is rented: Why travel brands need to stop building for algorithms
By Phil Treagus-Evans - Giraffe Social | September 18, 2026
Phil Treagus-Evans, CEO and co-founder of Giraffe Social, contends that a social following built on someone else's platform is "a relationship you're renting." Read More
Trip.com's TripGenie to get booking capabilities through Mastercard partnership
News / Online
Trip.com's TripGenie to get booking capabilities through Mastercard partnership
By Linda Fox | September 17, 2026
Mastercard's Agent Suite for Merchants enables travel brands to offer agentic shopping experiences within their existing ecommerce environment. Read More
European hotels maintain direct distribution lead over OTAs
News / Distribution
European hotels maintain direct distribution lead over OTAs
By Linda Fox | September 17, 2026
HOTREC's hotel distribution study revealed that 51% of bookings are made directly with hotels, while almost 30% are made through OTAs. Read More
Trip.com Group Q2 hit by fine from Chinese regulator
News / Finance
Trip.com Group Q2 hit by fine from Chinese regulator
By Linda Fox | September 16, 2026
The Chinese OTA's accommodation revenue for Q2 was offset by the penalty imposed by China's State Administration for Market Regulation. Read More
China's OTAs face a reckoning as growth slows and regulators circle
News / Distribution
China's OTAs face a reckoning as growth slows and regulators circle
By Phocuswright Research | September 15, 2026
What happens when a maturing, over-supplied market collides with regulatory pressure and AI disruption at once? Read More
OTA marketing spend rose again in Q2
News / Finance
OTA marketing spend rose again in Q2
By Abby Crotty | September 15, 2026
The travel industry's largest players are still pouring money into marketing, even as AEO becomes more relevant. Read More
Entravel Group secures additional $3M to launch Expereon settlement platform
News / Distribution
Entravel Group secures additional $3M to launch Expereon settlement platform
By Linda Fox | September 14, 2026
The $3 million investment for Expereon comes on top of the $7.5 million Entravel Group secured in mid-August. Read More
How AI is changing travel companies’ spending habits
News / Technology
How AI is changing travel companies’ spending habits
By Morgan Hines | September 14, 2026
As AI evolves, travel companies are increasingly investing in internal AI rather than external software. Read More
AI transformation in travel: Sejal Amin of Priceline
News / Technology
AI transformation in travel: Sejal Amin of Priceline
By Morgan Hines | September 11, 2026
Sejal Amin, CTO of Priceline, discusses Priceline's AI strategy, company education, employee buy-in and more. Read More
The trust economy: How European travelers decide who to believe
News / Online
The trust economy: How European travelers decide who to believe
By Phocuswright Research | September 10, 2026
European travelers aren't rejecting technology; they're getting selective about who earns their trust. Read More
Expedia CEO on AI's growing role in travel planning and booking
News / Technology
Expedia CEO on AI's growing role in travel planning and booking
By Abby Crotty | September 9, 2026
During a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference on Wednesday, Gorin discussed recent AI efforts and future plans for the technology. Read More
Meta launches AI agent with travel booking capabilities
News / Technology
Meta launches AI agent with travel booking capabilities
By Abby Crotty | September 9, 2026
The AI agent, Muse, can book travel through an integration with Duffel and directly with airline websites. Read More
Booking loses Etraveli acquisition appeal
News / Online
Booking loses Etraveli acquisition appeal
By Linda Fox | September 9, 2026
Booking Holdings said it is considering an appeal to the European Court of Justice after losing the latest round in its Etraveli acquisition battle. Read More
Discussing the latest trends in travel demand and dispersal
News / Online
Discussing the latest trends in travel demand and dispersal
By Abby Crotty | September 8, 2026
Executives from Amadeus, Travalyst, Travelier and Paradores discuss changing traveler preferences and how emerging destinations are approaching growth. Read More
The agentic traveler: Is travel ready for AI booking demand?
From Our Partners / Technology
The agentic traveler: Is travel ready for AI booking demand?
By Cathy Walsh | September 7, 2026
AI is moving from travel inspiration to transaction. New Phocuswright research reveals who is ready to book through AI and what travel companies need to do now. Read More
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