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.

booking-holdings-q1-2021
News / Online
Booking Holdings sees upward trend in Q1, focuses on buildout of connected trip
By Mitra Sorrells | May 5, 2021
Booking.com’s flight product, a key part of the connected trip, is now available in 18 countries, and Q1 had the highest number of air tickets ever booked in a single quarter. Read More
VIDEO: Capturing the social zeitgeist with Clubhouse for travel
News / Online
VIDEO: Capturing the social zeitgeist with Clubhouse for travel
By PhocusWire | May 5, 2021
The audio-only meeting and discussion app has only been in the market since March 2020 but has since ignited speculation ranging from it being a podcast-killer to the future of customer engagement and... Read More
Expedia sells Egencia to American Express Global Business Travel
News / Online
Expedia sells Egencia to American Express Global Business Travel
By Kevin May | May 4, 2021
Expedia Group will become a shareholder in Amex GBT, and part of the agreement will see the pair enter a long-term strategic partnership. Read More
Sabre sees U.S. bookings recovery, other markets slower
News / Distribution
Sabre sees U.S. bookings recovery, other markets slower
By Linda Fox | May 4, 2021
As the pandemic continues to impact the business, Sabre says operating losses were $203 million for the quarter compared to $151 million year-over-year. Read More
tours-activities-benefit-from-covid
Opinion / Online
How tours and activities businesses can benefit from the COVID crash
By Yiannis Maglaras - Ticknovate | May 4, 2021
What we’ve learned from past crises is that businesses adapt, and often the successful ones create a new blueprint of doing things. Read More
trivago-q1-2021
News / Online
Trivago sees referral revenue jump more than 60% in March
By Mitra Sorrells | May 3, 2021
Trivago's total revenue in the first quarter of this year was €38.2 million – a 73% drop compared to the first quarter of 2020. Read More
VIDEO: TikTok on next-generation travel marketing on social media
News / Online
VIDEO: TikTok on next-generation travel marketing on social media
By PhocusWire | May 3, 2021
Speaking at PhocusWire Pulse: A New Age For Social Media, TikTok brand partnerships lead for travel Hannah Bennett explains why TikTok is an ecosystem ripe for marketers to exploit. Read More
Sherpa raises $8.5M to meet demand for its travel rules platform
News / Technology
Sherpa raises $8.5M to meet demand for its travel rules platform
By Jill Menze | April 30, 2021
In the past year, Sherpa says the number of airlines and other travel companies using Sherpa’s products has tripled. Read More
Sonder plans to go public through SPAC on a $2.2B valuation
News / Online
Sonder plans to go public through SPAC on a $2.2B valuation
By Linda Fox | April 30, 2021
Sonder is merging with special purpose acquisition company Gores Metropoulos II to take the company public. Read More
TravelPerk bags $160M round as investors back business travel recovery
News / Startups
TravelPerk bags $160M round as investors back business travel recovery
By Linda Fox | April 29, 2021
TravelPerk says product innovation and further acquisitions are part of the roadmap. Read More
Trivago expands to sell activities, courtesy of Musement deal
News / Online
Trivago expands to sell activities, courtesy of Musement deal
By Kevin May | April 28, 2021
TUI-owned Musement will power the channel for Trivago, giving it 55,000 excursions, activities and tickets to attractions in 140 countries around the world. Read More
VIDEO: Brian Solis on a new age for customer engagement in travel
News / Online
VIDEO: Brian Solis on a new age for customer engagement in travel
By PhocusWire | April 28, 2021
He shares his perspective on the evolution of social media and the development of new tactics and, more importantly, requirements around customer engagement. Read More
tripabrood-seed-funding
News / Startups
TripAbrood adds £645,000 in seed funding for AI-powered assistant
By Linda Fox | April 26, 2021
Family travel assistant TripAbrood plans to use its latest funding to launch its product to the U.K. market. Read More
Ryanair steps up direct strategy with Price Checker tool
News / Distribution
Ryanair steps up direct strategy with Price Checker tool
By Linda Fox | April 26, 2021
The airline is also putting a "Verified Seal" on its website and mobile app to show users they are booking direct. Read More
Airbnb's brand vs. Booking.com's performance marketing – is there a playbook for recovery?
Opinion / Online
Airbnb's brand vs. Booking.com's performance marketing – is there a playbook for recovery?
By Mario Gavira | April 26, 2021
Channels where marketing dollars are being spent is only part of the equation. How your brand stands out from the pack and connects with customers is equally, if not more, important. Read More