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.

Online travel stocks have fallen 38% in 2020 (mainly due to the coronavirus)
News / Online
Online travel stocks have fallen 38% in 2020 (mainly due to the coronavirus)
By Steven Lerner | March 13, 2020
Most of the value has been decimated due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, with bookings declining and analysts anticipating a long-term impact.  Read More
VIDEO: Taptrip on partnerships, consumer tech and distribution giants
News / Startups
VIDEO: Taptrip on partnerships, consumer tech and distribution giants
By Linda Fox | March 12, 2020
Corporate travel tech startup Taptrip joins PhocusWire in the studio at Travel Technology Europe. Read More
Digital marketing in the age of coronavirus - what travel brands need to know
News / Online
Digital marketing in the age of coronavirus - what travel brands need to know
By Mitra Sorrells | March 12, 2020
The rapidly changing impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus require digital travel marketers to evaluate and update their strategies. Read More
Poor payment experience determines choice of travel provider
News / Distribution
Poor payment experience determines choice of travel provider
By Linda Fox | March 11, 2020
A study from Amadeus highlights how the payment process continues to cause friction for travelers. Read More
Online booking rates for activities halve and cancellations jump by a fifth due to coronavirus
News / Online
Online booking rates for activities halve and cancellations jump by a fifth due to coronavirus
By Kevin May | March 11, 2020
The gloomy business outcome of the spread of the virus to more than 100 countries around the world, including some of Europe's big tourist hotspots such as Italy, which is now on lockdown, has ignited... Read More
Laid-off Expedia Group workers have a message for the current regime
News / Online
Laid-off Expedia Group workers have a message for the current regime
By Steven Lerner | March 11, 2020
A pair of recently downsized Expedia Group employees are shedding some light recent company layoffs and the events that led up to them. Read More
VIDEO: Click Travel on growth and the new breed of business travel startups
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Click Travel on growth and the new breed of business travel startups
By Linda Fox | March 10, 2020
Click Travel joined PhocusWire at Travel Technology Europe 2020 to talk about tech, startups and profitability in business travel. Read More
Checkfront raises $9.3M round, talks up independent role for activities
News / Technology
Checkfront raises $9.3M round, talks up independent role for activities
By Kevin May | March 9, 2020
The Canada-based company, which this year celebrates a decade of operations since its creation, received the round in a deal led by Framework Venture Partners. Read More
Sounding Off: Coronavirus could trigger the travel marketing overhaul many want
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Coronavirus could trigger the travel marketing overhaul many want
By PhocusWire | March 6, 2020
Many companies in the industry have wanted a shift away from relying heavily on Google for customer acquisition. They may finally get their wish. Read More
cover image getlost
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: GetLost wants to make cheap on-demand travel a reality
By Steven Lerner | March 6, 2020
GetLost connects last-minute travelers with exclusively negotiated cheap deals on empty airline seats.   Read More
Expedia Group, Booking Holdings spent more than $11B on marketing (mostly to Google) in 2019
News / Online
Expedia Group, Booking Holdings spent more than $11B on marketing (mostly to Google) in 2019
By Steven Lerner | March 6, 2020
One company grew its marketing spend in 2019 and the other company essentially remained flat.   Read More
Despegar 2019 earnings
News / Online
Despite "volatile macro environment," Despegar finishes 2019 strong with 10% revenue increase
By Steven Lerner | March 5, 2020
Despegar ended 2019 on a high note with a 10% increase in fourth quarter revenue to $145.6 million, although revenue for the full year declined by 1% to $524.9 million.   Read More
How I Got Here, episode 27 - Paul Metselaar of Ovation Travel Group
Interview / Technology
How I Got Here, episode 27 - Paul Metselaar of Ovation Travel Group
By PhocusWire | March 5, 2020
Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from PhocusWire talk with Paul Metselaar, chairman and CEO of Ovation Travel Group, about launching his corporate travel business in the 1980s and staying relevant in... Read More
ixigo-gogobus-investment
News / Online
Ixigo moves deeper into bus travel with investment in GogoBus
By Mitra Sorrells | March 5, 2020
India-based online travel agency Ixigo is investing in the first round of funding for smart bus startup GogoBus. Read More
Hostelworld 2019 earnings
News / Online
Hostelworld suffers 9% EBITDA decline in 2019, expects loss due to coronavirus
By Steven Lerner | March 4, 2020
Hostelworld Group reports a 9% decrease in EBITDA to €20.5 million for the full-year in 2019 and estimates an EBITDA loss of €3 million to €4 million in the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19... Read More
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