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.

Airbnb takes aim at NYC a year after “failed” STR regulations
News / Online
Airbnb takes aim at NYC a year after “failed” STR regulations
By D.J. Catron | September 6, 2024
Hotel prices and rents in New York are both up a year after the city cracked down on short-term rentals, prompting Airbnb to call for changes to the law.   Read More
Thomas Cook finds new home with Poland's eSky Group
News / Online
Thomas Cook finds new home with Poland's eSky Group
By Linda Fox | September 5, 2024
The Poland-based travel company that operates the eSky and eDestino brands has acquired Thomas Cook from Fosun Tourism Group. Read More
Agoda’s human approach to learning and growing with AI
News / Technology
Agoda’s human approach to learning and growing with AI
By D.J. Catron | September 5, 2024
Idan Zalzberg, Agoda’s chief technology officer, details how the company uses technology and especially generative AI in its pursuit to become a virtual “travel companion.” Read More
Online travel giants hone in on social, mobile, loyalty
News / Online
Online travel giants hone in on social, mobile, loyalty
By Linda Fox | September 4, 2024
In Q2 earnings calls, Booking Holdings said it was increasing spend in social platforms, while Expedia said it was getting "surgical" around identifying drivers of repeat business. Read More
EDreams sees profitability bump from long-time subscribers
News / Online
EDreams sees profitability bump from long-time subscribers
By Morgan Hines | September 3, 2024
EDreams Odigeo reported its earnings, pointing to growth bolstered by its subscription program, an element that the company has identified as a driver of success in past earnings reports as well. Read More
Business travel division leads 2X growth for Flight Centre Travel Group
News / Online
Business travel division leads 2X growth for Flight Centre Travel Group
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2024
Flight Centre Travel Group CEO Chris Galanty credited the company's AI Centre of Excellence for "revolutionizing" customer service and empowering agents through automation. Read More
Trip.com's Wei: It's the golden age for product leaders in travel
News / Technology
Trip.com's Wei: It's the golden age for product leaders in travel
By Yeoh Siew Hoon – Web In Travel | August 27, 2024
The founder of Trip.com's TripGenie discusses what makes her AI travel assistant different from others. Read More
Trip.com Group highlights revolutionary powers of AI
News / Online
Trip.com Group highlights revolutionary powers of AI
By Linda Fox | August 27, 2024
Trip.com Group continues to implement artificial intelligence across operations from customer service to Copilot in engineering and AI tools, such as the curated lists launched in June, to boost the... Read More
Report: The power of affiliate marketing to drive customer acquisition for travel brands
From Our Partners / Online
Report: The power of affiliate marketing to drive customer acquisition for travel brands
By Diane Merlino | August 27, 2024
Affiliate marketing has long been associated with end-of-the-funnel conversion, but with the proliferation of digital partners available for campaigns, that is no longer the case. Read More
Booking.com’s U.S. managing director on growth plans, STRs and marketing
News / Online
Booking.com’s U.S. managing director on growth plans, STRs and marketing
By Morgan Hines | August 27, 2024
Booking.com’s partnership with rapper Ludacris is its latest in a string of celebrity tie-ups. The marketing effort is more complex than a flash in a pan, according to Ben Harrell, U.S. managing... Read More
MultiOn targets travel use cases for its AI agent
News / Technology
MultiOn targets travel use cases for its AI agent
By Mitra Sorrells | August 26, 2024
Backed by General Catalyst, Amazon Alexa Fund, Maven Ventures, Samsung Next and individuals from OpenAI, MultiOn is rapidly developing its AI agent technology for travel and other applications. Read More
Travel social content sways some consumers more than others
News / Online
Travel social content sways some consumers more than others
By Linda Fox | August 23, 2024
Converting looks and likes on social media to actual bookings is a challenge for travel marketers, but Phocuswright research has interesting insights on those consumers most likely to convert. Read More
Experience industry leaders still see room to grow in changing landscape
News / Online
Experience industry leaders still see room to grow in changing landscape
By D.J. Catron | August 19, 2024
At Phocuswright Europe, leaders from Viator, Tiquets and TourRadar spoke about how travel experiences could continue thriving even as Google and others play bigger roles in the sector.   Read More
Despegar sells destination management company, boosts AI agent
News / Online
Despegar sells destination management company, boosts AI agent
By Linda Fox | August 16, 2024
Despegar has made a number of updates to its AI agent Sofia and has further plans to integrate the technology into its B2B platforms. Read More
The role of DMOs in helping their partners effectively use AI
News / Technology
The role of DMOs in helping their partners effectively use AI
By Morgan Hines | August 16, 2024
As travelers begin to use AI search engines and agents for trip planning, should DMOs play a role in helping their suppliers understand how to use the technology to drive revenue?   Read More