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.

How I Got Here, episode 3 - Polina Raygorodskaya of Wanderu
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 3 - Polina Raygorodskaya of Wanderu
By Kevin May | September 5, 2019
For the third episode, PhocusWire's Kevin May and David Litwak from Mozio chat with Polina Raygorodskaya, co-founder and CEO at Wanderu. Read More
Booking.com, Skyscanner, Ctrip and TripAdvisor join travel sustainability pact
News / Online
Booking.com, Skyscanner, Ctrip and TripAdvisor join travel sustainability pact
By Kevin May | September 3, 2019
The quartet will work together in a series of initiatives to educate, raise awareness and, in their words, "promote positive change." Read More
My Method... How Expedia thinks about cloud migration
News / Technology
My Method... How Expedia thinks about cloud migration
By Subbu Allamaraju - Expedia Group | September 3, 2019
Phocuswire asked Subbu Allamaraju, vice president of technology for Expedia Group, to highlight the challenges of the company's move to the cloud. Read More
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
News / Technology
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
By Kevin May | September 2, 2019
The investment is the first major strategic initiative at Hostelworld since Gary Morrison took over as CEO in mid-2018, following the departure of Feargal Mooney. Read More
Return on Ethics - abandoning high‐pressure sales tactics can make travel marketing better
Opinion / Online
Return on Ethics - abandoning high‐pressure sales tactics can make travel marketing better
By Parry Malm - Phrasee | September 2, 2019
Natural anxieties about travel make consumers particularly susceptible to pressure tactics, with the invisible hand of the market pushing the envelope (perhaps a little further than it should have). Read More
Ixigo Flipkart partnership flight bookings
News / Distribution
Ixigo shifts to “full OTA experience” in deal with Indian e-commerce site Flipkart
By Mitra Sorrells | August 30, 2019
Ixigo is now managing domestic and international flight bookings on Flipkart, and additional verticals may be added soon. Read More
Festicket in double acquisition for Event Genius and Ticket Arena
News / Online
Festicket in double acquisition for Event Genius and Ticket Arena
August 28, 2019
Event Genius is a ticketing and point of sale system for customers, whilst sister brand Ticket Arena is a competitor of Festicket. Read More
OYO looks to recruit 1,000 in Europe as part of €300M investment in vacation arm
News / Online
OYO looks to recruit 1,000 in Europe as part of €300M investment in vacation arm
By Linda Fox | August 26, 2019
The vacation rental arm came into being following OYO’s acquisition of @Leisure for €360 million in May this year. Read More
travellocal-funding
News / Online
TravelLocal brings broadcaster Channel 4 on board for Series A funding
By Linda Fox | August 23, 2019
TravelLocal is getting airtime from Channel 4 as it brings the U.K. broadcaster on for its Series A funding. Read More
Expedia Group fully acquires CanadaStays to boost vacation rental presence up north
News / Distribution
Expedia Group fully acquires CanadaStays to boost vacation rental presence up north
By Jill Menze | August 22, 2019
CanadaStays, with which Expedia Group has had a strategic partnership since 2015, will be integrated into the Vrbo brand. Read More
U.S. government sues to block Farelogix sale to Sabre
News / Distribution
U.S. government sues to block Farelogix sale to Sabre
By Kevin May | August 20, 2019
Sabre dared regulators last week to block its $360 million acquisition of Farelogix - and now the U.S. government has taken up the challenge. Read More
tripadvisor free wi fi restaurants
News / Technology
TripAdvisor will offer Wi-Fi services to restaurants to help their marketing efforts
By Mitra Sorrells | August 20, 2019
TripAdvisor Wi-Fi Plus is a new option to enable restaurants to offer free Wi-Fi to their guests in return for sharing their email or social media credential. Read More
What’s next for Google’s expansion into vacation rentals?
Opinion / Distribution
What’s next for Google’s expansion into vacation rentals?
By James Burrows - Rentals United | August 16, 2019
With Google entering the vacation rental market, what future developments could impact direct bookings, guest experience, customer ownership and the current ecosystem? Read More
Careful what you wish for: Attribute-based selling isn't all it's cracked up to be
Opinion / Distribution
Careful what you wish for: Attribute-based selling isn't all it's cracked up to be
By Tim Peter - Tim Peter & Associates | August 15, 2019
It doesn't seem that guests really need attribute-based selling, and it's unrealistic to assume that the model will both improve prices for guests and drive more revenue. Read More
wit mark okerstrom interview
News / Online
Mark Okerstrom on competitor moves, Expedia's strengths and what he's had to "unlearn"
By Siew Hoon Yeoh - WebInTravel | August 12, 2019
In this wide-ranging interview, the Expedia Group boss opens up about where the travel company fits in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Read More
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