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.

STARTUP STAGE: Crewfare aims to make booking event and group travel easy
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Crewfare aims to make booking event and group travel easy
By Mitra Sorrells | October 11, 2023
Crewfare is a customizable group travel booking platform offering events, festivals, sports and brands with the ability to capitalize on travel while providing attendees with a streamlined and simpler... Read More
Sabre investigation finds no security concerns from alleged ransomware attack
News / Technology
Sabre investigation finds no security concerns from alleged ransomware attack
By Derek Catron | October 10, 2023
Despite allegations from a ransomware group that it stole sensitive personal information from Sabre, the company said it has found no evidence that customer data has been compromised.   Read More
Video: TerraPay on building a virtual card solution for emerging markets
From Our Partners / Technology
Video: TerraPay on building a virtual card solution for emerging markets
By PhocusWire | October 10, 2023
In an interview in the PhocusWire studio at Phocuswright Europe, TerraPay vice president of payments Koert Grasveld discusses the company's work to build virtual card solutions. Read More
Instagram moments boosting importance of travel experiences
News / Online
Instagram moments boosting importance of travel experiences
By D.J. Catron | October 5, 2023
While experiences continue to gain importance in travel planning, factors such as limited online supply, weather and fixed pricing create disincentives to book far in advance.   Read More
Expedia Group expands B2B portfolio in Asia Pacific
News / Distribution
Expedia Group expands B2B portfolio in Asia Pacific
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2023
Expedia Group calls Asia Pacific a "critical region" for continued growth of its B2B business as it adds several airlines and other new distribution partners. Read More
Hopper cuts 250 jobs, citing push to full-scale travel platform
News / Online
Hopper cuts 250 jobs, citing push to full-scale travel platform
By Derek Catron | October 4, 2023
Fred Lalonde, CEO of the Montreal-based company, told a Canadian newspaper the cuts — equal to 30% of full-time staff — were needed to reach profitability.   Read More
Dharma raises $4.7M to scale marketplace for brand-led travel
News / Startups
Dharma raises $4.7M to scale marketplace for brand-led travel
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2023
Dharma’s most recent partnership is with Paramount Global to offer travel experiences linked to the company’s hit Netflix show, “Emily in Paris.” Read More
Legends wins Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Legends wins Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2023
A panel of industry leaders selected travel personalization solution Legends as the winner of the competition while SquadTrip won the People's Choice Award. Read More
Google, Expedia, Travelport and Wego on AI risks, opportunities
News / Technology
Google, Expedia, Travelport and Wego on AI risks, opportunities
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2023
In a session at WiT Singapore, executives from the four companies discussed concerns such as privacy, hallucinations and bias in relation to generative AI. Read More
Travel insurtech startup BeSafe Group closes €3M round
News / Startups
Travel insurtech startup BeSafe Group closes €3M round
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2023
Founded in 2018, Rome-based BeSafe said it has insured more than 250,000 travelers and has a network of more than 1,600 customers, including hotels, tour operators and travel agencies. Read More
Two new distributors tap TourRadar's API to sell organized adventures
News / Online
Two new distributors tap TourRadar's API to sell organized adventures
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2023
As experiences gain dominance in consumers' travel planning, LocalAdventures and Travlr are using TourRadar's API to offer thousands of options to their customers.  Read More
TravelLocal raises $10M Series B to accelerate international growth
News / Online
TravelLocal raises $10M Series B to accelerate international growth
By Mitra Sorrells | September 28, 2023
TravelLocal offers tailor-made holidays by connecting its clients with local experts in each destination, combining advice from vetted experts with the convenience of online booking. Read More
Despegar rolls out generative AI trip planner, starting in Argentina
News / Technology
Despegar rolls out generative AI trip planner, starting in Argentina
By Mitra Sorrells | September 27, 2023
Travelers can use the planner to receive customized itineraries, put together packages that combine flights, accommodations and car rentals and receive recommendations of what to do in their... Read More
2 months after split with Expedia, Hopper adds hotel inventory from Hotelbeds and WebBeds
News / Online
2 months after split with Expedia, Hopper adds hotel inventory from Hotelbeds and WebBeds
By Mitra Sorrells | September 27, 2023
The new "long-term" strategic partnerships with Hotelbeds and WebBeds add more than 700,000 hotels around the world to Hopper's platform. Read More
CEO Spotlight - Brett Keller of Priceline
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight - Brett Keller of Priceline
By Linda Fox | September 27, 2023
PhocusWire talks to Priceline CEO Brett Keller about the company's partnership with Google, the hype around generative artificial intelligence and treading its own path versus other Booking Holdings... Read More