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.

OpenAI chairman shares vision on travel’s AI future
News / Technology
OpenAI chairman shares vision on travel’s AI future
By Morgan Hines | September 19, 2025
Bret Taylor, chairman of the board for OpenAI and co-founder of AI startup Sierra, discussed how he uses AI, how it might impact travel intermediaries and more. Read More
Are we primed for an AI crash? Travel stakeholders weigh in
News / Technology
Are we primed for an AI crash? Travel stakeholders weigh in
By Morgan Hines | September 18, 2025
Are we having technology innovation déjà vu? Many are likening AI’s rise to the dot-com era that led to an eventual crash. Read More
Lake.com lands $2.6M for vacation rental discovery platform
News / Startups
Lake.com lands $2.6M for vacation rental discovery platform
By Linda Fox | September 17, 2025
Founded in 2023, Lake.com is betting that travel bookings will be made by AI agents in the future. Read More
The New Age(nts) Trend Series Part 5: Convergence of GenAI with digital Identity
Event / Technology
The New Age(nts) Trend Series Part 5: Convergence of GenAI with digital Identity
September 17, 2025
Join Phocuswright for this series of online conversations exploring the impact of generative AI and autonomous agents on the travel industry. On Demand
The U.S. travel booking path fractured by social media, technology
News / Technology
The U.S. travel booking path fractured by social media, technology
By Morgan Hines | September 17, 2025
Younger travelers are straying from the traditional booking path in favor of technology-fueled discovery. Read More
How travel giants, banks are rewriting the rules of customer loyalty
Opinion / Online
How travel giants, banks are rewriting the rules of customer loyalty
By Mario Gavira | September 16, 2025
Travel companies are transforming into financial services platforms, banks are morphing into travel agencies and loyalty programs are becoming sophisticated investment vehicles. Read More
TourRadar launches ‘AI Discovery’ ChatGPT, Instagram, MCP integrations
News / Technology
TourRadar launches ‘AI Discovery’ ChatGPT, Instagram, MCP integrations
By Morgan Hines | September 15, 2025
The new tools are aimed at reimagining how travelers discover and book tours that span multiple days. Read More
Growth without lift in China’s $151.8B travel market
News / Online
Growth without lift in China’s $151.8B travel market
By Phocuswright Research | September 15, 2025
Phocuswright takes a closer look at China’s travel market, which advanced 5.5% in 2024 to reach $151.8 billion. Read More
Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg talks SEO, shift to AI
News / Technology
Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg talks SEO, shift to AI
By Morgan Hines | September 12, 2025
Tripadvisor has adjusted its strategy, building on its existing internet credibility to fit a changing search environment. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: TravelPerk, Amadeus, Boatscribe, Ryanair and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: TravelPerk, Amadeus, Boatscribe, Ryanair and more...
By PhocusWire | September 12, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Brian Chesky on his mission to transform Airbnb into an ‘everything’ platform
News / Online
Brian Chesky on his mission to transform Airbnb into an ‘everything’ platform
By Morgan Hines | September 12, 2025
Airbnb is looking at AI, community building and additional offerings, including creating a “host ecosystem” to monetize services for hosts. Read More
Tripadvisor, Expedia, Booking, Eu Travel Tech endorse EU online rating code
News / Online
Tripadvisor, Expedia, Booking, Eu Travel Tech endorse EU online rating code
By Morgan Hines | September 11, 2025
The European Union’s new code of conduct is directed at improved transparency and online review reliability for consumers and travel businesses. Read More
Content database specialist Giata Group acquires AI decisioning platform Smartseer
News / Online
Content database specialist Giata Group acquires AI decisioning platform Smartseer
By Abby Crotty | September 11, 2025
Berlin-based Giata said the acquisition is an effort to improve its AI personalization offerings and leverage ROI for its partners. Read More
Unlocking the future of automation: How APIs are powering autonomous distribution
Opinion / Distribution
Unlocking the future of automation: How APIs are powering autonomous distribution
By Chris Hodges - Expedia Group | September 10, 2025
Expedia Group's VP of global connectivity and partner solutions writes that API integration can help improve hoteliers' operational efficiency. Read More
Travel tech flashback: What made headlines in 2024?
News / Technology
Travel tech flashback: What made headlines in 2024?
By Morgan Hines | September 10, 2025
The travel industry was enamored with artificial intelligence (AI) in 2024, with the topic repeatedly making waves. Read More