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.

Thomas Cook sale to eSky Group finalized
News / Online
Thomas Cook sale to eSky Group finalized
By Linda Fox | October 22, 2024
Poland-based travel platform eSky is planning a dynamic packaging push following its acquisition of Thomas Cook, which has now been approved by regulators. Read More
How an Uber-Expedia merger could redefine the travel experience
Opinion / Online
How an Uber-Expedia merger could redefine the travel experience
By Aaron Gowell - SilverRail | October 22, 2024
The rumored tie-up would mix Uber’s high-frequency, low-cost engagement with Expedia’s low-frequency, high-value transactions - layered with AI and a massive customer base.   Read More
Should travel startups have co-founders or go it alone?
News / Startups
Should travel startups have co-founders or go it alone?
By Linda Fox | October 21, 2024
Travel founders from Meili, Wego and Qunar discuss the importance of having a co-founder during a session at WiT Singapore. Read More
Expedia Group fills vacant CTO role with former Fanatics exec
News / Online
Expedia Group fills vacant CTO role with former Fanatics exec
By Mitra Sorrells | October 17, 2024
Thumu will join the company in December after spending a decade at digital sports platform Fanatics Commerce, most recently as chief product and technology officer. Read More
Why Uber isn't buying Expedia, but I still think Amazon should
Opinion / Online
Why Uber isn't buying Expedia, but I still think Amazon should
By Clayton Reid | October 17, 2024
Word that Uber has considered acquiring Expedia Group - first reported by the Financial Times - has generated quite a bit of reaction from industry leaders, including this opinion from the former CEO of... Read More
Generative AI in travel - weighing the concerns versus the promise
News / Technology
Generative AI in travel - weighing the concerns versus the promise
By Linda Fox | October 17, 2024
Travel experts discussed the most exciting applications of generative AI at WiT Singapore while research from Amadeus flagged concerns around the technology. Read More
How commerce media is catching on in travel
News / Online
How commerce media is catching on in travel
By Linda Fox | October 17, 2024
United, Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline, Marriott and Uber have all established media networks in recent years and are earning significant revenue from them. Read More
Why Agoda's data strategy is more about the "science" than the data itself
News / Technology
Why Agoda's data strategy is more about the "science" than the data itself
By Linda Fox | October 16, 2024
Agoda's CTO and CPO discuss how they apply data science to improve processes and the knowledge gaps generative artificial intelligence has revealed for the OTA. Read More
GetYourGuide adds influencer videos, AI content creation tool
News / Online
GetYourGuide adds influencer videos, AI content creation tool
By Morgan Hines | October 8, 2024
The toolkit includes a pairing of artificial intelligence-powered features and human-powered features. Read More
As pressures mount on corporate travel to improve sustainability, progress is challenging
News / Online
As pressures mount on corporate travel to improve sustainability, progress is challenging
By Morgan Hines | October 4, 2024
Corporate travel is dealing with pressure from employees, a more stringent government and regulatory environment and stronger climate science as it continues to look for ways to operate more... Read More
Decentralized Identity Foundation hackathon kicks off with track focused on travel solutions
News / Technology
Decentralized Identity Foundation hackathon kicks off with track focused on travel solutions
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2024
Developers entering the “Hospitality and Travel Challenge” have to demonstrate how decentralized identity technology combined with traditional travel technology can create a more frictionless,... Read More
Truely secures $3.5M to drive eSIM services across travel
News / Startups
Truely secures $3.5M to drive eSIM services across travel
By Mileva Sapic | October 2, 2024
Truely intends to release B2B2C services for major travel operators, airlines, airports, online travel agencies and service providers with $3.5 million in fresh funding. Read More
Priceline adds voice capabilities from OpenAI to "Penny" chatbot
News / Technology
Priceline adds voice capabilities from OpenAI to "Penny" chatbot
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2024
Priceline's Penny chatbot can “hear” and understand user questions, predict needs based on historical interactions and "speak" its response. Read More
Hype versus reality: How fast is generative AI changing the travel industry?
News / Technology
Hype versus reality: How fast is generative AI changing the travel industry?
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2024
Industry leaders from Accor, Sabre, Cloudbeds, Navan, MakeMyTrip and more share their thoughts on generative AI and whether it has lived up to expectations thus far. Read More
What the travel industry is learning about effectively implementing AI
From Our Partners / Technology
What the travel industry is learning about effectively implementing AI
By PhocusWire | September 30, 2024
DataArt's senior vice president of travel and hospitality explains why effective use of generative AI requires companies first deal with their technical debt and ensure they have a modern data... Read More