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.

Expedia-AI-ML
News / Technology
How Expedia is using deep learning to improve the hotel booking process
By Linda Fox | April 12, 2019
Expedia Partner Solutions is using deep learning models to improve the hotel booking process for partners and - ultimately - the end consumer. Read More
sounding off 11 loyalty
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Loyalty does not belong in the past
By PhocusWire | April 12, 2019
Quote from David Armstrong, CEO of HolidayPirates, in an article on PhocusWire this week on what makes him tick. Read More
Zingle chatbot research
News / Technology
Chatbot usage on rise in travel, but effectiveness is tied to saving guests’ time
By Mitra Sorrells | April 11, 2019
A recent survey found consumers prefer human customer service rather than a chatbot, but they would use a chatbot if they believe it would save time. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
Interview / Distribution
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
By Linda Fox | April 11, 2019
Gomingo aims to bring down commission rates for hotels and other accommodation providers by offering 0% commission to hotels that sign up initially with a promise that they will only reach a maximum of... Read More
david-armstrong-holiday-pirates
Interview / Distribution
In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with ... David Armstrong
By PhocusWire | April 10, 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: HolidayPirates CEO David Armstrong. Read More
Travelstart looks to Middle East for growth
Interview / Distribution
Travelstart looks to Middle East for growth
By Siew Hoon Yeoh - WebInTravel | April 10, 2019
With South Africa as its home base and its businesses spread across the African continent, Travelstart believes its roots and experience make it well suited to take on the emerging and fragmented... Read More
Expedia Group reviews price more important than brand
News / Online
Guest reviews, room price more valuable than brand name in hotel selection
By Mitra Sorrells | April 9, 2019
According to Expedia Group, room price and guest reviews and ratings are more important than brand when consumers shop hotels. Read More
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
News / Online
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
By Jill Menze | April 9, 2019
Amid its ongoing rivalry with Airbnb, Booking.com explains how it hopes to differentiate its alternative accommodations product. Read More
flight-centre-upside
News / Technology
Flight Centre Travel Group acquires 25% stake in corporate travel service Upside
By Linda Fox | April 8, 2019
The strategic investment makes Flight Centre the largest individual shareholder in Upside. Read More
hostelworld-2018-financials
News / Distribution
Hostelworld looks to growth in 2020 following business review
By Linda Fox | April 8, 2019
Hostelworld lays out its roadmap for growth as it reports results for 2018. Read More
Middle East series part 1 overview
News / Online
Middle East, part 1: How a young, digital-savvy population is impacting travel
By Mitra Sorrells | April 8, 2019
In part one in our series on the Middle East, we look at how the region's young and connected consumers are changing the travel landscape. Read More
phocuswright europe Stephan Ekbergh
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with... Stephan Ekbergh
By PhocusWire | April 8, 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: Travelstart founder and CEO Stephan Ekbergh. Read More
Prep for parity: everything hotels and online travel agencies need to know
From Our Partners / Distribution
Prep for parity: everything hotels and online travel agencies need to know
By Clive Wood - OTA Insight | April 8, 2019
The parity problem is not going away, but actionable data can help hoteliers address the problem and recoup revenue and reputation. Read More
sounding off 10 equalizer
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Personalization can be a great equalizer
By PhocusWire | April 5, 2019
Being able to spot trends within a small business's customer data does not take a huge amount of expertise, nor does it take huge amounts of investment. Read More
Travel policy 3.0: Six data-powered updates to improve corporate travel
From Our Partners / Technology
Travel policy 3.0: Six data-powered updates to improve corporate travel
By Ryan Wenger - WhereTo | April 5, 2019
Unlike the blunt rules of the analogue age, the new rules bear digital precision, and take advantage of access to live data. We call the new era of data-driven rules Travel Policy 3.0. Read More
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