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.

edreams-odigeo-AI
News / Technology
eDreams Odigeo taps AI to learn about customers and improve the experience
By Linda Fox | September 17, 2018
eDreams Odigeo talks up success of artificial intelligence to create a more personalized experience for travellers. Read More
TUI Group acquires tours and activities online agency Musement
News / Online
TUI Group acquires tours and activities online agency Musement
By Kevin May | September 14, 2018
Musement, one of Europe's modestly funded online travel agencies for tours and activities, is now part of the TUI Group. Read More
QOTW: Something about getting locked up
News / Online
QOTW: Something about getting locked up
By PhocusWire | September 14, 2018
Quote from Brad Young, vice president, associate general counsel, at TripAdvisor, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
Inside the complicated world of cancellation fees and non-refundable bookings
Opinion / Online
Inside the complicated world of cancellation fees and non-refundable bookings
By Stefano Petrazzoli - Chargebacks911 | September 14, 2018
In this digital era, we’re used to booking our ticket, but often then have separate extras to consider, like choosing our seat, eating in-flight meals, hold luggage, among others. Read More
Are mainstream tour and activity operators welcome on Airbnb?
From Our Partners / Distribution
Are mainstream tour and activity operators welcome on Airbnb?
By Alex Kremer - Arival | September 14, 2018
Airbnb shook the travel world when it launched Experiences in the fall of 2016. Read More
TripAdvisor declares fake reviewer jail term a "landmark ruling"
News / Online
TripAdvisor declares fake reviewer jail term a "landmark ruling"
By Jill Menze | September 12, 2018
The owner of a fraudulent reviews business has been sentenced to prison and fined in what TripAdvisor considers a milestone for the internet. Read More
Research Spotlight: Do bots have a bright future?
News / Technology
Research Spotlight: Do bots have a bright future?
By Jill Menze | September 11, 2018
Once heralded as the Next Big Thing, chatbots seemed a promising solution for travel brands looking to personalize and streamline their customer service and marketing efforts. Read More
Evaneos raises $80M, eyes U.S expansion
News / Online
Evaneos raises $80M, eyes U.S expansion
By Linda Fox | September 11, 2018
The France-based multi-day tours specialist has attracted $80 million in funding, bringing its total investment to date into three figures. Read More
Booking.com expands Experiences service, now in 60 cities worldwide
News / Online
Booking.com expands Experiences service, now in 60 cities worldwide
By Kevin May | September 10, 2018
Booking.com's effort to muscle in on tours and activities has taken another sizeable step with the launch of Booking Experiences in the U.S.. Read More
Offline part 2 agency technology
News / Technology
Back in the offline world, part 2: Travel agency technology
By Mitra Sorrells | September 10, 2018
For part two in this month’s series on the offline travel market, we look at the technology that is supporting the work of traditional agents and how it has evolved over the years.   Read More
hoteltonight-desktop
News / Online
HotelTonight ends mobile-only strategy with desktop addition
By Linda Fox | September 10, 2018
HotelTonight has launched a desktop version of its hotel booking service - prompted, it says, by feedback from customers. Read More
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Glenn Fogel
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Glenn Fogel
By Phocuswire | September 7, 2018
Instrumental in building the online giant to what it is today from his role of SVP international to stepping up to take the helm just under two years ago, the Booking Holdings chief features in an... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Arise's distributed network wants to help hotels bypass intermediaries
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Arise's distributed network wants to help hotels bypass intermediaries
By Jill Menze | September 6, 2018
Winner of the Phocuswright’s 2018 Battleground competition, Arise’s blockchain-based technology is designed to help hotels bypass travel intermediaries to connect directly to distribution partners. Read More
Ctrip Q2 2018
News / Distribution
Ctrip posts across-the-board gains, huge Skyscanner revenue in Q2
By Mitra Sorrells | September 5, 2018
Ctrip posted gains in all of its major categories in the second quarter of 2018, with total revenue of $1.1 billion, a 13% increase over the same period in 2017 and a 9% increase from the three months... Read More
Airbnb for Work expands, looks beyond core business travel market
News / Online
Airbnb for Work expands, looks beyond core business travel market
By Jill Menze | September 5, 2018
Airbnb, in its tenacious quest to engage with one billion guests by 2028, is ramping up its efforts to court the professional community by expanding its Airbnb for Work offerings. Read More
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