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.

My Method Booking brand marketing
News / Online
My Method... Booking.com's marketing director on its new brand advertising strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | March 14, 2019
Booking.com's U.S. regional marketing director breaks down the thinking behind the OTA's new brand advertising campaign. Read More
booking-holdings-merrill-lynch
News / Distribution
Home is where the growth is as Booking.com invests in brand and tech
By Linda Fox | March 13, 2019
Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel on growth in alternative accommodation and brand awareness. Read More
Are urban mobility apps the new online travel agencies?
Opinion / Distribution
Are urban mobility apps the new online travel agencies?
By David Litwak - Mozio | March 13, 2019
As more money gets poured into the sector, it's time to start thinking about urban mobility and how it intersects with the travel industry. Read More
Flight Centre chatbot investments
News / Technology
Flight Centre steps up investments in AI-powered chatbot solutions
By Mitra Sorrells | March 13, 2019
Flight Centre Travel Group has acquired travel chatbot Sam and has increased its investment in 30SecondsToFly. Read More
Yatra directors mull over Ebix $336M acquisition bid
News / Online
Yatra directors mull over Ebix $336M acquisition bid
By Linda Fox | March 12, 2019
India-based online travel agency Yatra will review a proposal from U.S.-based Ebix to acquire the company for $336 million. Read More
Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
Opinion / Online
Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | March 12, 2019
The hoopla over the Airbnb purchase of HotelTonight needs further analysis, with more challenges than opportunities ahead for the new owner if it wants to become an OTA. Read More
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
News / Online
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
By Kevin May | March 11, 2019
Three experts covering the accommodation sector share their reaction to the deal by Airbnb to buy online travel agency HotelTonight. Read More
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
News / Online
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
By Kevin May | March 7, 2019
The deal for the OTA gives it the chance to "accelerate our work to build an end-to-end travel platform that serves everyone." Read More
google-assistant-voice-book-hotel-1
Opinion / Technology
Time to talk - using Google Assistant to book a hotel room
By Pablo Delgado - Mirai | March 7, 2019
It is becoming clearer that using voice commands to search for and book hotels is going to be disruptive in the hotel industry and will soon be changing the rules of the game. Read More
Travel intermediaries must figure out how to automate better
Opinion / Technology
Travel intermediaries must figure out how to automate better
By Maxim Sevastianov - Traveknowledgy | March 7, 2019
Travel agencies and OTAs are required to automate in order to offer their clients with personalized services and enjoy a competitive advantage. Read More
Booking.com pivots BookingSuite into a hotel tech app store
News / Technology
Booking.com pivots BookingSuite into a hotel tech app store
By Kevin May | March 6, 2019
The BookingSuite App Store is a collection of currently 45 different services provided by software companies in the industry that cover a range of tools to help hoteliers with their day-to-day... Read More
Ctrip ticks $4.5B annual revenue level for the first time
News / Online
Ctrip ticks $4.5B annual revenue level for the first time
By Kevin May | March 5, 2019
Ctrip cited "robust growth momentum" in its international business during 2018, but despite the uptick in overall annual revenue, Ctrip saw a decline of 19% in fourth quarter revenues to $1.1... Read More
Withlocals walks away with €8M to support peer-to-peer experiences service
News / Online
Withlocals walks away with €8M to support peer-to-peer experiences service
By Kevin May | March 5, 2019
The Series B round was led by Keen Venture Partners and also saw participation from previous backer Inkef Capital, giving it around €16 million since 2013. Read More
Ditching direct: It may be time to reconsider your GDS and OTA connections
From Our Partners / Distribution
Ditching direct: It may be time to reconsider your GDS and OTA connections
By Kyle Moore - RateGain | March 4, 2019
The cost and effort of maintaining a direct connect to the GDS may have been more than hotels had bargained for. So we examine a few that of those hidden headaches. Read More
thefork buys restorando
News / Online
TripAdvisor-owned TheFork buys Restorando, expands in Latin America
By Jill Menze | March 4, 2019
With TheFork's acquisition of Restorando, its network will grow by 3,500 restaurants across eight countries. Read More
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