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.

Fliggy launches FlyAI developer platform for AI-powered travel applications
News / Technology
Fliggy launches FlyAI developer platform for AI-powered travel applications
By Cathy Walsh | April 20, 2026
The platform gives developers access to live travel data and a way to earn commissions from AI-driven bookings. Read More
Expedia Group shutters Lastminute.com.au booking site
News / Technology
Expedia Group shutters Lastminute.com.au booking site
By Morgan Hines | April 17, 2026
Bookings can be made through May 15 and the site will close down on June 2, according to the company. Read More
SiteMinder links hotel inventory to AI booking channels via MCP
News / Technology
SiteMinder links hotel inventory to AI booking channels via MCP
By Cathy Walsh | April 15, 2026
Platform updates connect supplier and intermediary channels to AI-powered booking environments. Read More
WiT Phocuswright Middle East moves to Barcelona
News / Technology
WiT Phocuswright Middle East moves to Barcelona
By PhocusWire | April 15, 2026
WiT Phocuswright Middle East's move to Barcelona reflects the uncertainty in the region but also allows for broader discussion and a wider range of perspectives. Read More
Losing control, data privacy top concerns around AI travel booking
News / Online
Losing control, data privacy top concerns around AI travel booking
By Linda Fox | April 14, 2026
Consumers are not yet comfortable with letting AI take over when it comes to booking travel, according to research. Read More
Agentic commerce in travel: Preparing for the industry’s next big shift
From Our Partners / Technology
Agentic commerce in travel: Preparing for the industry’s next big shift
By Michelle Bruno | April 14, 2026
The report provides a look at how agentic AI is reshaping travel commerce and what travel merchants must do to prepare for the next phase of AI-driven discovery, booking and payment. Read More
AI reshapes luxury travel—but human expertise remains essential
News / Technology
AI reshapes luxury travel—but human expertise remains essential
By Marisa Garcia | April 14, 2026
AI is reshaping luxury travel through behind-the-scenes efficiency and personalization, but human expertise and high-touch service remain central. Read More
Trust, leapfrogs and the big bets on Africa's travel
News / Online
Trust, leapfrogs and the big bets on Africa's travel
By WIT | April 13, 2026
Panelists at WiT Africa outline “10 big bets” on the continent’s travel future, highlighting trust, AI-driven leapfrogging and the enduring role of local expertise in an increasingly agentic landscape. Read More
Envisioning travel in 2046: Industry leaders map the future
News / Technology
Envisioning travel in 2046: Industry leaders map the future
By PhocusWire | April 13, 2026
A joint report from Phocuswright and ITB Berlin shares insights on the future of travel and tourism based the inaugural Leadership Exchange event held at ITB Berlin 2026. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Nuitée, Navan, Expedia Group and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Nuitée, Navan, Expedia Group and more...
By PhocusWire | April 10, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Why OTA share of experiences is so low
Opinion / Distribution
Why OTA share of experiences is so low
By Douglas Quinby - Arival | April 10, 2026
Douglas Quinby, the co-founder and CEO of Arival, shares some truth about sizing the global travel experiences sector. Read More
TPConnects adds MCP layer to Iris content platform
News / Distribution
TPConnects adds MCP layer to Iris content platform
By Michael B. Baker | April 8, 2026
With its MCP layer, airline content can be turned into machine-readable protocol that is easy for AI agents and automated tools to understand. Read More
Kayak's Peer Bueller and Matthias Keller on what's ahead for the tech giant
News / Technology
Kayak's Peer Bueller and Matthias Keller on what's ahead for the tech giant
By Robert Silk - Travel Weekly | April 7, 2026
Kayak's newly appointed CEO Peer Bueller is overseeing an AI transformation at the metasearch brand. Read More
Chinese OTAs deploy AI for global push
News / Technology
Chinese OTAs deploy AI for global push
By Phocuswright Research | April 7, 2026
Chinese AI services are not just following this global path, they are transforming interactions with consumers—and delivering a high degree of itinerary control to users.  Read More
AI pulls travel brands deeper into commerce media
News / Technology
AI pulls travel brands deeper into commerce media
By Matthew Parsons | April 7, 2026
As AI compresses the path to purchase, travel brands are expanding commerce media to capture high-intent demand. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026