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.

QOTW: Something about the reality of innovation
News / Online
QOTW: Something about the reality of innovation
By PhocusWire | July 20, 2018
Quote from Brian Solis, principal analyst and futurist at Altimeter, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
Regulator called out for not enforcing airline distribution rules
News / Distribution
Regulator called out for not enforcing airline distribution rules
By Linda Fox | July 20, 2018
ETTSA, the organisation representing GDS and OTAs, has lodged a complaint against the European Commission for failing to enforce airline distribution regulations. Read More
Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
News / Technology
Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
By Michael Coletta | July 20, 2018
For all the skills in Amazon's Alexa voice marketplace (30,000 and counting), the majority can still be described as "unskilled" for travel planning and booking tasks. The same can be said for Google... Read More
NDC is coming to the industry... are you ready?
From Our Partners / Distribution
NDC is coming to the industry... are you ready?
By Erika Moore - Travelport | July 20, 2018
Do you remember how Global Distribution Systems began 40 years ago? Sometimes it's worth a quick reminder... Read More
Secret Escapes unlocks new investment round of £52M
News / Online
Secret Escapes unlocks new investment round of £52M
By Kevin May | July 19, 2018
Secret Escapes has landed another funding round - the second time in the space of eight months that its secured a $50 million investment. Read More
Booking.com tests marketplace offering third party technology
News / Technology
Booking.com tests marketplace offering third party technology
By Linda Fox | July 19, 2018
Booking Holdings is piloting a service that offers access to third party technology platforms for its hotel customers. Read More
expedia package bookings
News / Distribution
Package bookings drive higher ADR, have longer booking windows
By Jill Menze | July 18, 2018
Analyzing data on package bookings vs. standalone hotel bookings, Expedia Group found that for full year 2017, package bookings delivered higher average daily rates and had longer booking windows,... Read More
Utrip claims new tool brings travel planning closer to Netflix and Amazon models
News / Technology
Utrip claims new tool brings travel planning closer to Netflix and Amazon models
By Linda Fox | July 17, 2018
Utrip, a personalization platform for travel, has been testing a destination discovery experience driven by artificial intelligence. Read More
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
By Jill Menze | July 17, 2018
Jane Sun joined Ctrip in 2005 and took the reins as CEO in 2016. As Ctrip grows globally, Sun sees opportunities in tours and activities for Chinese travelers and hopes to see international business... Read More
Booking Holdings invests $500M in Didi ground transport platform
News / Online
Booking Holdings invests $500M in Didi ground transport platform
July 17, 2018
Didi Chuxing has caught the eye of Booking Holdings, with a $500 million capital injection and a major strategic partnership. Read More
TripAdvisor makes second investment in eatigo
News / Online
TripAdvisor makes second investment in eatigo
By Linda Fox | July 16, 2018
Restaurant reservations service eatigo has received a second investment boost from TripAdvisor in pre Series C funding. Read More
Who won the FIFA World Cup? Private Accommodation FC
News / Online
Who won the FIFA World Cup? Private Accommodation FC
By Kevin May | July 16, 2018
France secured their second FIFA World Cup in two decades last weekend - but victory also came to the private accommodation sector during the tournament. Read More
Reimagining customer experience, part 2: Brian Solis on iteration vs. innovation
News / Online
Reimagining customer experience, part 2: Brian Solis on iteration vs. innovation
By Mitra Sorrells | July 16, 2018
What we really should be talking about is how are you designing experiences that people are willing to find and pay more for and love and recommend. Read More
Desktop revenue for hotels trumps mobile despite dominance of traffic to devices
News / Online
Desktop revenue for hotels trumps mobile despite dominance of traffic to devices
By Linda Fox | July 16, 2018
Revenue for hotel bookings via mobile devices still lags behind those made on a desktop, according to research from Bookassist. Read More
edreams-odigeo-dana-dunne-1
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Dana Dunne of eDreams Odigeo
By Kevin May | July 13, 2018
The former EasyJet and AOL executive is steering the company through a critical time for online travel agencies, with a mixture of frenemy-type partnerships and focus on markets that work. Read More
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