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.

OYO Rooms acquires European rental brand @Leisure Group for €360M
News / Online
OYO Rooms acquires European rental brand @Leisure Group for €360M
By Kevin May | May 1, 2019
The acquisition marks the first big international investment by India-based OYO and puts it feet first in the Europe marketplace for private accommodation. Read More
MakeMyTrip acquires Quest2Travel
News / Online
MakeMyTrip enters corporate travel space with majority stake in Quest2Travel
By Mitra Sorrells | May 1, 2019
This investment will help MakeMyTrip extend its service offerings to large corporates. Read More
new Muslim OTA Rihaala launches
News / Distribution
New OTA targets Muslim travelers looking for halal-friendly destinations
By Mitra Sorrells | April 30, 2019
Rihaala is a new online travel agency focused on halal-friendly destinations and accommodations and user-generated content. Read More
Sabre sees quarterly revenue rise to $1.49B but other metrics hit by tech investments
News / Distribution
Sabre sees quarterly revenue rise to $1.49B but other metrics hit by tech investments
By Kevin May | April 30, 2019
Sabre has filed a revenue increase of 6% in the first quarter of 2019, giving it $1.49 billion, but against a backdrop of declines on other key metrics. Read More
hotel-loyalty-programs
News / Distribution
Hotel loyalty should be more than just rewards and favored partners
By Linda Fox | April 30, 2019
A discussion on loyalty in hotels sparked interesting comment around how program members should be treated. Read More
Pana brings in $10M to build out tools for travel managers
News / Technology
Pana brings in $10M to build out tools for travel managers
By Kevin May | April 30, 2019
Bessemer Ventures leads the Series A round into the U.S.-based corporate travel platform specialist, alongside three other funds. Read More
Ctrip controls half of MakeMyTrip shares after swap deal with Naspers
News / Online
Ctrip controls half of MakeMyTrip shares after swap deal with Naspers
By Kevin May | April 29, 2019
Ctrip gives up 6% of its shares in order to gain a 49% stake in MakeMyTrip, the Indian online travel agency where it's had an interest for over three years. Read More
tours-activities-distribution
Interview / Distribution
STARTUP STAGE: Magpie wants to end content distribution woes in activities
By Linda Fox | April 29, 2019
The company was founded in November 2018 by former tour operator Christian Watts. The startup has financial backing of Viator founder Rod Cuthbert as well as Venture Republic. Read More
Phocuswright Europe 2019 preview Filip Filipov
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with... Filip Filipov
By PhocusWire | April 29, 2019
In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Amsterdam in May, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick... Next up: Skyscanner vice president of product management Filip... Read More
sounding off travel mistakes
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: A financial downturn could fuel the power of the platforms
By PhocusWire | April 26, 2019
Platforms may continue to dominate but downturns often see the emergence of new players to take on the existing giants at their own game. Read More
Travel recession opinion MMGY Clayton Reid part 2
Opinion / Online
It's time to call it - we are heading for a travel recession, part 2
By Clayton Reid - MMGY Global | April 26, 2019
In part two of his analysis of the economic outlook for travel, MMGY Global CEO Clayton Reid offers advice on how to prepare for a downturn. Read More
Grab adds hotel bookings other services
News / Technology
Grab expands beyond ride-hailing with new services to become "everyday super app"
By Marissa Trew - WiT | April 24, 2019
Grab is adding four new services for its users in Singapore including hotel bookings through Agoda and Booking.com. Read More
Google's Touring Bird plots big expansion of tours and activities service
News / Online
Google's Touring Bird plots big expansion of tours and activities service
By Kevin May | April 24, 2019
The massive jump from its official launch number of 20 in September 2018 to 200 this week comes almost a year to the day since the Google Area 120-run search engine was first tested in the open market. Read More
Travel translation app TripLingo bought by Travel and Transport
News / Technology
Travel translation app TripLingo bought by Travel and Transport
By Kevin May | April 24, 2019
The app was created in 2011 as a means for travelers to obtain instant voice and image translation from a database of useful phrases. Read More
Travel recession opinion MMGY Clayton Reid
Opinion / Online
It's time to call it - we are heading for a travel recession, part 1
By Clayton Reid - MMGY Global | April 24, 2019
MMGY Global CEO Clayton Reid sees a looming slowdown that will impact travel. The first part of his analysis explains why this has come about. Read More
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