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.

Secret Escapes acquires LateRooms and LateLuxury websites
News / Online
Secret Escapes acquires LateRooms and LateLuxury websites
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2019
LateRooms was part of Malvern Group, which brought in a third-party administrator to handle its operations in early August after running into financial difficulties. Read More
Corporate travel online booking tools need a "serious wake-up call"
News / Distribution
Corporate travel online booking tools need a "serious wake-up call"
By Jill Menze | September 30, 2019
As corporate travel buyer frustration with online booking tools mounts, business models need to be rethought. Read More
HalalBooking lands $2M in funding, plans marketing push
News / Distribution
HalalBooking lands $2M in funding, plans marketing push
By Linda Fox | September 27, 2019
The funding was led by Azar Gurbanov, co-founder of wellness specialist FSAstore, as well as other individual investors. Read More
What the travel sector can learn from the demise of Thomas Cook
Opinion / Online
What the travel sector can learn from the demise of Thomas Cook
By Sooho Choi - Publicis Sapient | September 26, 2019
Unlike the leading OTAs or the low-cost airlines whose business models necessitated digital capability to reduce cost, Thomas Cook was unable to find the omnichannel strategy that represented... Read More
How I Got Here, episode 6 - Naren Shaam of Omio
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 6 - Naren Shaam of Omio
By Kevin May | September 26, 2019
The architect behind Omio (formerly GoEuro) talks to David Litwak and Kevin May for the latest episode. Read More
Wholesale changes in distribution: Marriott and Expedia in the spotlight, Amoma in the deadpool
Opinion / Distribution
Wholesale changes in distribution: Marriott and Expedia in the spotlight, Amoma in the deadpool
By Gino Engels - OTA Insight | September 25, 2019
Since rate disparity has a significant impact on profitability for hotels, the demise of a channel with a negative parity history is noteworthy. Read More
booking-com-for-business
News / Distribution
Q&A: Booking.com's Ripsy Bandourian on evolving functionality for business travelers
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2019
Booking.com for Business was unveiled in early 2015 after the accommodation giant observed that about one in five bookings were for business travel. Read More
VIDEO: CarTrawler on the value of mobility for airlines
From Our Partners / Distribution
VIDEO: CarTrawler on the value of mobility for airlines
By PhocusWire | September 23, 2019
"Mobility" is fast becoming the word of the moment in the travel industry, and airlines are looking at how the consumer behavior around ground transportation is changing. Read More
Thomas Cook collapses after investors pull the plug on survival package
News / Technology
Thomas Cook collapses after investors pull the plug on survival package
By Kevin May | September 22, 2019
Plenty of factors have led to the tour operating giant's demise, including its failure, at crucial times, to grasp the complexities of IT and the wider digital world. Read More
VIDEO: Dohop on a B2B strategy for virtual interlining and knocking on airline doors
From Our Partners / Technology
VIDEO: Dohop on a B2B strategy for virtual interlining and knocking on airline doors
September 20, 2019
The virtual interlining space has grown out of nowhere in the past few years, with new entrants springing up and interesting partnerships being formed. Read More
Sounding Off: A new travel sheriff is needed but will be hard to find
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: A new travel sheriff is needed but will be hard to find
By PhocusWire | September 20, 2019
It won't be easy bringing every element of the industry together to take a tech-led approach to sustainability and other issues in destinations. Read More
India Paytm 35m travel investment
News / Online
India’s Paytm invests $35M to expand its travel business
By Mitra Sorrells | September 20, 2019
Indian e-commerce giant Paytm says it will invest about $35 million in its travel business over the next six months. Read More
Airbnb says it will IPO in 2020
News / Online
Airbnb says it will IPO in 2020
By Kevin May | September 19, 2019
A listing of Airbnb on the public markets will, following those for Uber and Lyft during 2019, be one of the most eagerly awaited IPOs in the travel industry in years. Read More
What’s good for millennial travelers is good for all generations
Opinion / Online
What’s good for millennial travelers is good for all generations
By Matt Walker - LikeWhere | September 18, 2019
The soft boundary lines have come in this not-so-exact science of generation naming and these parameters no longer circumscribe the soundest foundation on which to base travel's marketing efforts.  Read More
marriott expedia wholesale rate distribution
News / Distribution
Marriott tightens reins on wholesale rates by tapping Expedia to manage distribution
By Mitra Sorrells | September 17, 2019
Expedia Group and Marriott International have signed an agreement that makes Expedia Group the single gateway and redistributor for Marriott wholesale inventory.   Read More
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