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.

News / Online

Tripadvisor and Airbnb join Google as local search powerhouses

By Kevin May | August 23, 2021

Google is the web service of choice for the vast majority of consumers looking for information on local businesses and activities - but a new survey indicates other brands are definitely in the... Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: StayTick is a membership-based hotel booking platform

By Mitra Sorrells | August 23, 2021

For an annual membership fee of €25, StayTick says its members save up to 25% on bookings at more than 500,000 hotels worldwide. Read More

Opinion / Online

How subscription models can democratize luxury travel

By Brent Handler - Inspirato | August 20, 2021

Subscription-based innovations can bridge the affluent consumer’s desire for seamless travel experiences with accelerated upside for B2B travel purveyors. Read More

News / Online

Following setback in Q2, Yatra sees growth in July, August

By Mitra Sorrells | August 19, 2021

Yatra's adjusted revenue dropped nearly 50% and its total gross bookings dropped more than 71% in the second quarter compared to Q1 2021. Read More

News / Online

Despegar revenues up against 2020, still around half of 2019

By Kevin May | August 19, 2021

Latin America-focused Despegar captured $61 million in revenue in the second quarter of 2021, indicating a gradual uptick in activity in the region. Read More

News / Technology

RateGain plans IPO, more acquisitions in the cards

By Linda Fox | August 18, 2021

RateGain hopes to raise $54 million from a fresh issue of shares while the company's founders and investors will also sell stakes. Read More

News / Online

Hopper raises another $175M, will add 500 employees

By Mitra Sorrells | August 17, 2021

Five months after a $170 million fundraise, Hopper is doing it again – this time $175 million in Series G financing, bringing its total raised to date to $585 million. Read More

News / Startups

From burnout to money problems - why startups fail

By Kevin May | August 17, 2021

The sad reality is that travel startups, even without a global pandemic to contend with, experience vast challenges to get them competing alongside existing and profitable companies. Read More

News / Online

Hyatt acquires Apple Leisure Group for $2.7B

By Kevin May | August 16, 2021

Included in the deal are all of ALG's subsidiaries, including the Trisept Solutions travel technology wing that provides tools for leisure travel operators. Read More

News / Technology

Q&A: The potential of decentralized digital ID in travel

By Mitra Sorrells | August 16, 2021

Decentralized digital identity solutions could dramatically change distribution, marketing, cybersecurity and more in the travel industry. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb revenue jumps 300% in Q2 2021

By Jill Menze | August 12, 2021

The home-share giant was also profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis for the second quarter of 2021. Read More

News / Online

U.S. travel digital ad spending to remain pared down for years

By Mitra Sorrells | August 12, 2021

According to eMarketer, no other industry declined as fast or spent as little on digital ads in 2020. Read More

Opinion / Technology

The many ways Magecart can hack travel sites

By Avishai Shafir - PerimeterX | August 12, 2021

Magecart is taking off, but OTAs and travel sites can save themselves grief and major financial risk by acting in advance to ground this threat. Read More