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.

Tech comes of age in tours and activities
Opinion / Technology
Tech comes of age in tours and activities
By David Juman - Phocuswright | August 27, 2018
There is some irony to the fact that, when it comes to arranging their leisure tours and activities, travelers often have little choice but to reserve and book offline. Read More
Startup Stage PopulStay 2
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: PopulStay uses blockchain for rental bookings, management and security
By Mitra Sorrells | August 27, 2018
PopulStay is a booking and property management platform for vacation rentals that uses blockchain to create a direct connection between hosts and guests and to lower transaction costs.   Read More
ota hotel profitability
Opinion / Online
Online travel agency moves harming profitability: What hotels need to know
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | August 24, 2018
Two recent events in hotel distribution created a mild media buzz, but unfortunately were ignored by some hoteliers and quickly forgotten by the industry: Expedia’s Add‐On Advantage and Booking.Basic. Read More
Evolve scores big with $80M investment to grow rental tech services
News / Distribution
Evolve scores big with $80M investment to grow rental tech services
By Kevin May | August 24, 2018
Big investment is heading in the direction of Evolve Vacation Rental Network following a $80 million injection this week. Read More
Research Spotlight: How call centers are vital to the customer experience
News / Online
Research Spotlight: How call centers are vital to the customer experience
By Jill Menze | August 23, 2018
Operating a call center is often a costly - but necessary - endeavor for many travel companies. For one, to customers, the call center represents the face of suppliers and informs their first... Read More
Revenue and loyalty for vacation rentals in the age of Amazon and Google
Opinion / Online
Revenue and loyalty for vacation rentals in the age of Amazon and Google
By Mike Putman - Custom Travel Solutions | August 23, 2018
The accommodations market has expanded over the past decade, in part due to the growing vacation rental sector. However, nobody quite knows how vacation rentals will fit into the larger travel ecosystem... Read More
Using customer service as a growth tool for travel tech providers
Opinion / Technology
Using customer service as a growth tool for travel tech providers
By Lukas Hempel - BookingKit | August 20, 2018
The game for tour and activity software providers is decided by winning over new suppliers and monetizing them. Read More
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 3: The support systems
News / Startups
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 3: The support systems
By Mitra Sorrells | August 20, 2018
In the last few years, several support programs have launched to help entrepreneurs evaluate, develop and grow their innovative ventures across every aspect of travel and tourism.  Read More
The secret to direct bookings? Consider hotel website conversion rates
Opinion / Online
The secret to direct bookings? Consider hotel website conversion rates
By Max Starkov | August 17, 2018
A key imperative for hoteliers in 2018 is preventing travel planners from becoming distracted by digital noise and serving them content at the correct time in order to convert them into bookings. Read More
On The Beach takes offline chance with £20M Classic Collection deal
News / Online
On The Beach takes offline chance with £20M Classic Collection deal
By Kevin May | August 16, 2018
Proof that online travel brands are still have an eye on opportunities in the physical world, with On The Beach buying luxury travel brand for travel agents, Classic Collection. Read More
VIDEO: The new hotel power in Europe
News / Distribution
VIDEO: The new hotel power in Europe
By PhocusWire | August 15, 2018
The hotel sector in Europe is vastly different from its counterpart in North America, primarily due to the high volume of independent properties. Read More
How the flywheel of innovation is propelling business travel forward
Opinion / Technology
How the flywheel of innovation is propelling business travel forward
By Rob Greyber - Egencia | August 15, 2018
We are on the cusp of a new era in business travel. Advances in technology are driving us forward at breakneck speed. The industry is rife with new - but lately struggling - startups: online booking... Read More
Wegogo blockchain travel platform
News / Distribution
Wegogo aims for fair-share travel platform, alternative to web agency dominance
By Mitra Sorrells | August 14, 2018
In the midst of growth plans, Wegogo is forging ahead with the introduction of blockchain-based tech and the creation of its cryptocurrency known as WeGold. Read More
Has Airbnb booked its place at the top of the accommodation hierarchy?
Opinion / Distribution
Has Airbnb booked its place at the top of the accommodation hierarchy?
By Lucia Juliano - Harris Interactive | August 14, 2018
Airbnb celebrates its 10th birthday this year - a decade after its founders first rented out an air mattress in their living room to help pay the rent. Read More
Expedia Group pays $60M to buy out AirAsia from AirAsiaGo platform
News / Online
Expedia Group pays $60M to buy out AirAsia from AirAsiaGo platform
By Kevin May | August 14, 2018
An investment of $60 million has brought to an end a seven-year joint venture between Expedia Group and AirAsia to sell the airline's tickets alongside hotels. Read More
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