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 Group, Booking on coming together with “one voice” to support short-term rentals
News / Distribution
Expedia Group, Booking on coming together with “one voice” to support short-term rentals
By Mitra Sorrells | November 13, 2023
Expedia Group's Tim Rosolio and Booking.com's Ben Harrell spoke about working together to address regulatory challenges, the benefits that Google provides to the sector and strategies to drive more... Read More
Earnings roundup: Vacasa, HomeToGo, Amex GBT and Despegar
News / Online
Earnings roundup: Vacasa, HomeToGo, Amex GBT and Despegar
By Linda Fox | November 10, 2023
A roundup of the third quarter 2023 earnings for travel companies, including Amex GBT, Despegar and HomeToGo. Read More
More than one-third of leisure travelers have used GenAI tools, report says
News / Technology
More than one-third of leisure travelers have used GenAI tools, report says
By Morgan Hines | November 10, 2023
More than half of leisure travelers who have used generative artificial intelligence planning tools booked most or all of the recommendations provided by the chatbot. Read More
Booking.com adds cruise content in partnership with World Travel Holdings
News / Distribution
Booking.com adds cruise content in partnership with World Travel Holdings
By Mitra Sorrells | November 10, 2023
U.S. consumers can now access more than 10,000 sailings on more than 30 cruise lines from 55 departure points around the world.     Read More
Try before you buy: How augmented reality can drive travel bookings
From Our Partners / Technology
Try before you buy: How augmented reality can drive travel bookings
By Cathy Walsh | November 9, 2023
While traditional online travel marketing such as video targets a largely passive audience, augmented reality inspires engagement via immersive content worth sharing.  Read More
Microsoft and Tripadvisor on what OpenAI’s DevDay product announcements mean for travel
News / Technology
Microsoft and Tripadvisor on what OpenAI’s DevDay product announcements mean for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | November 8, 2023
In PhocusWire's fourth Let's Hear It! LinkedIn Audio event, Tripadvisor head of data Rahul Todkar and Microsoft regional vice president for advertising Pablo Laucirica unpack the meaning of OpenAI's... Read More
Where next for Etraveli with Booking.com deal off the table?
News / Online
Where next for Etraveli with Booking.com deal off the table?
By Linda Fox | November 8, 2023
Following a veto by European regulators of the Booking.com-Etraveli acquisition, Etraveli CEO Mathias Hedlund talks about what’s next for the company, growth opportunities and its focus on flights. Read More
Amadeus shares optimistic outlook, reports positive earnings
News / Online
Amadeus shares optimistic outlook, reports positive earnings
By Morgan Hines | November 7, 2023
Amadeus’ total revenue was up more than 14% in the quarter, with the biggest jump coming from its air distribution and air IT solutions segments. Read More
Tripadvisor Q3 revenue up across all segments, most sharply for Viator
News / Online
Tripadvisor Q3 revenue up across all segments, most sharply for Viator
By Mitra Sorrells | November 6, 2023
Tripadvisor's total revenue in the third quarter of this year was $533 million, up 16% year over year, with nearly half of that revenue coming from Viator. Read More
The role of travel insurance for customer experience and loyalty
From Our Partners / Online
The role of travel insurance for customer experience and loyalty
By PhocusWire | November 6, 2023
Allianz Partners US CEO Jeff Wright discusses innovation in travel insurance and how effective solutions can serve as an extension of travel suppliers' brands and drive customer loyalty. Read More
Expedia ad concerns in search results raised in antitrust suit
News / Online
Expedia ad concerns in search results raised in antitrust suit
By Linda Fox | November 3, 2023
Comments from Expedia Group chair Barry Diller have surfaced during the Google antitrust trial. Read More
Expedia’s Kern: Focus is now on faster growth fueled by years of tech work
News / Online
Expedia’s Kern: Focus is now on faster growth fueled by years of tech work
By Mitra Sorrells | November 2, 2023
Expedia Group posted record revenue and profitability in the third quarter of this year and reiterated full year guidance of double-digit topline growth with margin expansion.   Read More
Booking Holdings posts record earnings, expects to grow AI, flight offerings
News / Online
Booking Holdings posts record earnings, expects to grow AI, flight offerings
By Morgan Hines | November 2, 2023
Booking Holdings’ total revenue came in at $7.3 billion, showing a 21% increase over the same quarter last year, and adjusted EBITDA clocked at $3.3 billion - a 24% increase from the same quarter of... Read More
Airbnb's Chesky envisions turning app into "ultimate travel agent"
News / Online
Airbnb's Chesky envisions turning app into "ultimate travel agent"
By Derek Catron | November 1, 2023
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky covers AI’s potential, short-term rental regulations, a threat from Google – and why he thinks Airbnb has nowhere to go but up.   Read More
The positive and negative impacts of travel on destinations
News / Online
The positive and negative impacts of travel on destinations
By Linda Fox | November 1, 2023
A report from Economist Impact and Booking.com assesses the social, environmental and economic impact of visitors on destinations.  Read More