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.

siteminder-funding
News / Distribution
Future IPO a "strong possibility" for SiteMinder as it lands fresh funding
By Linda Fox | January 16, 2020
SiteMinder lands significant fresh investment valuing the company at around $762 million and the prospect of a public listing in the future. Read More
Booking.com launches CityBook as test app for destination tools and services
News / Online
Booking.com launches CityBook as test app for destination tools and services
By Kevin May | January 16, 2020
The app, known as CityBook, is a "digital guide" for destinations that will combine content, planning tools such as maps, navigation and experiences. Read More
qtrip-new-ota
News / Online
Industry veteran launches new boutique OTA
By Mitra Sorrells | January 16, 2020
Industry veteran Jeff Klee is launching a new online travel agency, Qtrip, that will eventually replace his original site, CheapAir. Read More
Hotels stuck in a market where online travel agency rate issues still burn
News / Distribution
Hotels stuck in a market where online travel agency rate issues still burn
By Kevin May | January 16, 2020
In a series of questions posed to participants on a recent webinar hosted by PhocusWire with wholesaler Hotelbeds, hotels indicated a range of issues that still exist around rate parity. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 20 - Bob Diener of Hotels.com
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 20 - Bob Diener of Hotels.com
By PhocusWire | January 16, 2020
Long before the online travel agency world took off, Bob Diener was perfecting the merchant model that would become omnipresent in later years. He talks to Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from... Read More
Travel and tourism organizations push for action on climate emergency
News / Distribution
Travel and tourism organizations push for action on climate emergency
By Linda Fox | January 15, 2020
Travel companies and organizations have joined forces to take steps to reduce carbon emissions, while a report assesses the total impact of a holiday from transport to food. Read More
Comtravo gets Microsoft venture fund on board with €9M round
News / Startups
Comtravo gets Microsoft venture fund on board with €9M round
By Linda Fox | January 14, 2020
The investment comes from Microsoft’s venture fund M12 and Joop Drechsel, former CEO of BCD Travel, who joins Comtravo’s board, as well as a number of other investors. Read More
In The Big Chair - Mathias Hedlund of Etraveli
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Mathias Hedlund of Etraveli
By Linda Fox | January 14, 2020
Etraveli chief executive Mathias Hedlund talks to Phocuswire about acquisitions, airline distribution and sustainability. Read More
Why the short-term rental industry needs to pay attention to niche sites
Opinion / Online
Why the short-term rental industry needs to pay attention to niche sites
By James Burrows - Rentals United | January 14, 2020
For the short-term rental industry to reach new customers, get new business and elevate revenue, niche sites are worth taking seriously. Read More
VIDEO: Standards, sustainability and big tech investments in tours and activities
News / Online
VIDEO: Standards, sustainability and big tech investments in tours and activities
By Kevin May | January 9, 2020
Joining us for a panel discussion in the PhocusWire Studio were Luuc Elzinga, CEO at Tiqets, and Alex Kremer, co-founder at Arival. Read More
makemytrip-trip-ideas
News / Online
MakeMyTrip takes next step in quest to become travel super app
By Mitra Sorrells | January 9, 2020
MakeMyTrip now displays destination videos with booking links in its mobile apps, as part of its effort to be a travel super app. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 19 - Fritz Demopoulos of Qunar
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 19 - Fritz Demopoulos of Qunar
By PhocusWire | January 9, 2020
Fritz Demopoulos, co-founder and ex-CEO of Qunar (now head of Queen's Road Capital), talks to Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from PhocusWire about how he created a travel startup in China. Read More
FCM Travel Solutions invests in business travel startup Shep
News / Startups
FCM Travel Solutions invests in business travel startup Shep
By Jill Menze | January 7, 2020
Shep, one of PhocusWire's Hot 25 Startups for 2019, will lend its browser extension technology to FCM Travel Solutions' platforms. Read More
justin-francis-responsible-travel-CEO-profile
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Justin Francis of Responsible Travel
By Linda Fox | January 7, 2020
The online travel agency was one of the first to offer carbon offsetting in 2002, just a year after co-founder Justin Francis created the brand with Harold Goodwin. Read More
The digital travel revolution, next-gen consumers and the role of insurance
From Our Partners / Technology
The digital travel revolution, next-gen consumers and the role of insurance
By PhocusWire | January 6, 2020
Over the course of two interviews, PhocusWire spoke to Beth Godlin, president at the Aon Travel Practice, about a wide range of issues in the travel industry. Read More
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