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.

trip-com-group-hong-kong
News / Online
Trip.com Group hopes to raise $1.4B from second public listing in Hong Kong
By Kevin May | April 8, 2021
The second IPO will be the first online travel company to proceed with a dual listing in both the U.S. and Hong Kong. Read More
travelport-plus-launch
News / Distribution
Travelport unifies services in new Travelport+ platform, replacing three legacy brands
By Mitra Sorrells | April 7, 2021
CEO Greg Webb says the new Travelport+ platform better positions the company to serve "the blossoming retail structure of travel." Read More
sherpa-covid-map
News / Online
Sherpa launches maps that track COVID-related travel policies
By Mitra Sorrells | April 5, 2021
Travel brands can integrate the map into their websites and apps, and it can be accessed directly from the Sherpa website. Read More
VIDEO: Bringing loyalty to travel's hottest sector
News / Online
VIDEO: Bringing loyalty to travel's hottest sector
By PhocusWire | April 5, 2021
While the sector is not new by any means, brands are still unsure of the best way to gain loyalty from their guests and ensure they have the attention of travelers every time they consider a new trip. Read More
accelya-airline-executive-survey
News / Distribution
Airline executives expect direct channel share to grow, GDS to drop by 2023
By Mitra Sorrells | April 5, 2021
In a survey of airline executives, the majority say the pandemic will cause a "positive transformation" in their businesses, but inadequate budgets may hamper some progress. Read More
Sounding Off: Airbnb isn't a community - it's a business
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Airbnb isn't a community - it's a business
By PhocusWire | April 2, 2021
The real test of the company comes from hereon with its quarterly figures, strategic initiatives that boost them and destroying the competition. Read More
expedia-group-launches-virtual-agent
News / Online
Expedia launches virtual agent for advisors and travelers
By Jamie Biesiada - Travel Weekly | April 2, 2021
Advisors who are members of the Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program can use the virtual agent to cancel bookings or check the status of refunds. Read More
vrbo-targets-superhosts
News / Online
Vrbo targets Airbnb “Superhosts” as rental competition heats up
By Jill Menze | April 1, 2021
Vrbo is offering experienced short-term rental hosts increased visibility through its new Fast Start program. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 58 - Rami Zeidan of Life House
Interview / Distribution
How I Got Here, episode 58 - Rami Zeidan of Life House
By PhocusWire | April 1, 2021
After working in the finance and real estate worlds for the early part of his career, Rami Zeidan tells Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May of PhocusWire how he took the plunge into the operational part... Read More
Sabre unveils storefront technology enabling comparison of airline products and services
News / Distribution
Sabre unveils storefront technology enabling comparison of airline products and services
By Linda Fox | March 31, 2021
The technology is available via Sabre’s shopping APIs enabling users and developers to create their own storefront. Read More
In The Big Chair - Patrick Andrä of HomeToGo
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Patrick Andrä of HomeToGo
By Mitra Sorrells | March 31, 2021
Patrick Andrä is the co-founder and CEO of HomeToGo, a search engine for vacation rentals with more than 250 employees. It also operates the Wimdu and Tripping.com websites. Read More
Webjet invests $4.1M into blockchain startup LockTrip
News / Technology
Webjet invests $4.1M into blockchain startup LockTrip
By Jill Menze | March 31, 2021
As part of the deal, Webjet has agreed to a second optional tranche of $4.2 million for a total of $8.3 million. Read More
VIDEO: Tripadvisor on its big push to subscriptions and loyalty
News / Online
VIDEO: Tripadvisor on its big push to subscriptions and loyalty
By PhocusWire | March 30, 2021
Speaking during PhocusWire Pulse: Loyalty For The Long Haul, chief experience officer Lindsay Nelson explains why Tripadvisor's Plus program came together now, how the early stages have worked out with... Read More
How the pandemic has impacted Airbnb supply
News / Online
How the pandemic has impacted Airbnb supply
By Jill Menze | March 30, 2021
According to AirDNA, Airbnb lost 5% of its total listings from January through June of 2020. Read More
Google’s free booking links for hotels – too good to be true?
Opinion / Distribution
Google’s free booking links for hotels – too good to be true?
By Craig Stewart - Freetobook | March 29, 2021
Freetobook’s co-director Craig Stewart suggests property owners to take advantage on Google's recent shift in strategy and see how this one plays out.  Read More
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