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.

Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
News / Online
Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2023
Most important to consumers when booking accommodation online is an easy and secure booking and payment experience, 53%, followed by video and images of rooms and the property, 50%. Read More
Booking to appeal EU regulators' decision to block Etraveli acquisition
News / Online
Booking to appeal EU regulators' decision to block Etraveli acquisition
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2023
Booking says the dispute does not affect its strategy to build out flights as part of its connected trip vision. Read More
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. OTA market
News / Online
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. OTA market
By Phocuswright Research | September 25, 2023
The U.S. travel market continued its stellar recovery in 2022, with total gross bookings of $422.2 billion, an increase of 51% over the prior year. Read More
Fliggy wants to help overseas travel companies market to Chinese tourists
News / Online
Fliggy wants to help overseas travel companies market to Chinese tourists
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2023
The Alibaba subsidiary is adding new tools and services to help travel partners, particularly those in Southeast Asia, “tap into the massive potential of Chinese tourism in a cost-effective... Read More
Hopper-Turo partnership brings car-sharing to booking platform
News / Online
Hopper-Turo partnership brings car-sharing to booking platform
By Derek Catron | September 21, 2023
Turo also has partnerships with Kayak, to make its cars available on that site, and Capital One and Delta Airlines, to provide rewards to those companies’ loyalty members who book on Turo.   Read More
Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
News / Technology
Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2023
Among many other updates to its products and services for both travelers and industry partners, Expedia Group is partnering with travel influencers to offer short-form videos in the Expedia and... Read More
Booking.com prepares to launch credit card in U.S.
News / Online
Booking.com prepares to launch credit card in U.S.
By Mitra Sorrells | September 19, 2023
The online travel agency has brought in a former JPMorgan Chase executive to lead the effort and is also hiring for a manager of "co-branded credit card growth and strategy.”   Read More
Optimizing profits and customer experience for online travel purchases
From Our Partners / Online
Optimizing profits and customer experience for online travel purchases
By Cristina Polo | September 19, 2023
Travel suppliers can drive more revenue and provide a better experience for their customers if they understand what those customers want. Read More
Kayak, Tripadvisor on growing their in-house media studios
News / Online
Kayak, Tripadvisor on growing their in-house media studios
By Morgan Hines | September 19, 2023
In the last two years both Kayak and Tripadvisor have created content studios that are becoming a growing part of their overall businesses and spurring plans for future investment.   Read More
How booking sites and travel agencies can maximize e-commerce profitability
From Our Partners / Online
How booking sites and travel agencies can maximize e-commerce profitability
By Carl Bleich - Bloomreach | September 18, 2023
Discover effective strategies for booking sites and agencies to maximize e-commerce profitability. Learn how to boost revenue through upsell campaigns, building customer loyalty and minimizing... Read More
Staples tests travel agents in stores in plan to grow travel services
News / Distribution
Staples tests travel agents in stores in plan to grow travel services
By Mitra Sorrells | September 15, 2023
The office supply retailer has offered TSA PreCheck and passport services for several years and is now talking to travel industry partners about expanding its offerings. Read More
First Choice relaunches with flight-free vacation options
News / Online
First Choice relaunches with flight-free vacation options
By Linda Fox | September 13, 2023
TUI brand First Choice believes traveler needs are changing, and it wants to offer them more options when it comes to booking trips. Read More
9 months into the GPT Era, what has travel learned?
Opinion / Technology
9 months into the GPT Era, what has travel learned?
By Gilad Berenstein – Brook Bay Capital | September 13, 2023
  Travel tech investor and entrepreneur Gilad Berenstein shares his three main takeaways in the first year of generative AI’s widespread use in travel and other sectors.   Read More
Wego moves into business travel with acquisition of Travelstop
News / Online
Wego moves into business travel with acquisition of Travelstop
By Linda Fox | September 12, 2023
Wego said the move will extend its reach into business travel while Travelstop will be able to take advantage of Wego's regional network. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Tango targets “mass affluent” travelers with AI-based booking platform
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Tango targets “mass affluent” travelers with AI-based booking platform
By Mitra Sorrells | September 11, 2023
Tango combines artificial intelligence, machine learning and human curation to provide design, booking and servicing of hyper-personalized trips.  Read More